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Wayne-Sanderson Farms

Nation's third-largest poultry producer

Employee Benefit Specialist

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/21/2026
No salary listed
Junior
Associate's
Kinston, NC, USA
In Person
People & HRCompensation & Benefits

About the job

Requirements
  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • At least one year of experience in a human resources generalist environment is required.
  • Strong computer skills and the ability to work with multiple Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing, with internal and external customers in a timely and professional manner.
  • Ability to work effectively with others, exercise tact and discretion, and maintain a high level of confidentiality.
  • Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize.
  • Ability to demonstrate initiative and urgency and work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Follow departmental and company safety policies and programs, and ensure others follow them.
  • Wear required protective equipment in areas where it is mandatory.
  • Ability to remain stationary for extended periods.
  • Ability to work non-standard hours, including holidays, weekends, or extended shifts, as business needs require.
Responsibilities
  • Manage employee FMLA, disability, and personal leave tasks according to company policies and federal, state, and local legal requirements; enter leave and return-to-work dates in the appropriate system promptly; follow up on inconsistencies or missing documentation; and communicate with appropriate personnel.
  • Serve as a point of contact for employees, corporate benefits, and plant leaders; respond to benefit questions concerning employee leaves, 401(k), and other employee welfare programs; and assist employees with claim resolution, electronic processes, and understanding benefit plan design when needed.
  • Update, research, and resolve enrollment, marital status, and dependent verification discrepancies in Workday to ensure vendors and payroll receive accurate eligibility, enrollment, and deduction information; partner with Corporate Benefits when benefits-related issues cannot be resolved.
  • Partner with Safety/EHS on workers’ compensation claims, ensuring data is entered correctly and required documentation is collected and readily available.
  • Liaise between carriers and employees as needed to facilitate information exchange and documentation collection and submission for leave approval, benefit enrollment, or dependent verification.
  • Partner with Corporate Benefits on open enrollment events, new or revised programs, and special events; lead meeting coordination and follow-up to ensure employees are informed about changes to benefit plans.
  • Educate and notify employees about benefit plans and enrollment opportunities.
  • Partner with the HR team on employee engagement projects.
  • Identify and communicate process improvement opportunities to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
  • Perform other relevant duties as assigned.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience administering leaves, including knowledge of FMLA and ADA legal requirements.
  • An Associate’s degree in a relevant field.
  • Knowledge of or experience with Workday or a similar HCM system.
  • Ability to communicate in multiple languages.

About the company

Wayne-Sanderson Farms is a large poultry producer that raises and processes chicken for retail, foodservice, and other customers. It operates 23 facilities across Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas, and employs more than 26,000 people. It offers a broad portfolio of brands, including WAYNE FARMS, SANDERSON FARMS, COVINGTON FARMS, PLATINUM HARVEST, CHEF’S CRAFT, and NAKED TRUTH, with both fresh and further-processed chicken. The company focuses on affordable, high-quality poultry and emphasizes integrity and responsible farm and workplace practices to serve customers and communities.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Oakwood, Georgia

Founded

2022

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • The July 2025 Harrison Poultry acquisition expanded Wayne-Sanderson's Georgia footprint and capacity.
  • September 2026 Mercy Chefs shipments prove operational flexibility across disasters and regions.
  • May 2026 Mississippi State feed mill backing strengthens talent pipelines, research ties, and feed innovation.

What critics are saying

  • The DOJ's January 18, 2025 enforcement motion targets Agri Stats data-sharing and monitorship violations.
  • The 2022 consent decree still burdens management and can extend into 2026 court remedies.
  • Any adverse antitrust ruling could trigger deeper pricing scrutiny, damages, and supplier distrust across poultry.

What makes Wayne-Sanderson Farms unique

  • Wayne-Sanderson is the nation's third-largest poultry producer, with 24 facilities and 27,000 employees.
  • Its vertically integrated network spans hatcheries, feed mills, processing plants, and 2,000 farm partners.
  • The Sanderson brand's 2024 AI chatbot shows unusual consumer-facing experimentation inside a commodity producer.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • 401(k) Company Match

Company News

Poultry Producer
Jul 28th, 2025
Wayne-Sanderson Farms Acquires Harrison Poultry, Expanding Its Footprint in Georgia - Poultry Producer

Wayne-Sanderson Farms, one of the largest vertically integrated poultry producers in the U.S., has announced the acquisition of Harrison Poultry, solidifying its presence in Georgia and expanding operational capacity across […]

PR Newswire
Jan 19th, 2025
Wayne-Sanderson Farms Seeks Relief From Court Against Recent Actions By The U.S. Department Of Justice

OAKWOOD, Ga., Jan. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wayne-Sanderson Farms today filed its own motion seeking clarity and relief from the court that its participation in the industry-standard Agri Stats subscription service is lawful and permitted. This was necessitated by unprecedented actions taken by the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. At 2:15 a.m. Saturday morning, the Division filed a motion seeking to declare the Company in violation of the Consent Decree and to force the Company to abandon its longstanding use of the industry benchmarking service Agri Stats

PR Newswire
Jun 4th, 2024
Sanderson Farms Brand Debuts Industry-First Artificial Intelligence Chicken Chatbot Tool

Latest Innovation by Wayne-Sanderson Farms Brand Enhances Online Customer ServiceOAKWOOD, Ga., June 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- What if instead of having to search online for ideas on what to do with the fresh chicken in the fridge, consumers could ask the experts at Sanderson Farms® for specially-crafted recipes and inspiration for their next meal? This is where the revolutionary new artificial intelligence (AI) Chicken ChatBot comes in. Affectionally known as "Sandy" and powered by OpenAI's API for ChatGPT, consumers can start a chat on the Sanderson Farms website for quick cooking tips, fast recipe finds, helpful serving suggestions, and more. Meet Sandy our new chatbot. "We are proud to introduce Sandy, the first-ever chicken chatbot tool, to answer just about any question as it relates to recipes and cooking tips," said Hilary Burroughs, Vice President of Marketing for Wayne-Sanderson Farms. "We hope consumers find Sandy to be polite, witty and helpful, just like a good friend, to discuss all things chicken."When visiting the Sanderson Farms website, consumers will be prompted to start a chat with Sandy to answer their chicken queries. Sandy is equipped to share delicious chicken recipes based on the unique details provided, and can make recommendations for specific dietary needs and preferences, like gluten-free, Keto, and low-fat