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Wayne-Sanderson Farms

Nation's third-largest poultry producer

Employee Benefit Specialist

Full-Time
No salary listed
Junior
Associate's
Enterprise, AL, USA
In Person
People & HRCompensation & Benefits

About the job

Requirements
  • A high school diploma or equivalent.
  • At least one year of experience in a human resources generalist environment.
  • The ability to work with multiple Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
  • The ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, with internal and external customers in a timely and professional manner.
  • The ability to work effectively with others with tact, discretion, and confidentiality in all matters.
  • Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize.
  • The ability to work non-standard hours, including holidays, weekends, or extended shifts, as needed by business requirements.
  • The ability to remain stationary for extended periods.
  • The ability to follow departmental and company safety policies and programs and wear required protective equipment where mandatory.
Responsibilities
  • Manage employee Family and Medical Leave Act, 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 and follow up on inconsistencies or missing documentation, communicating with appropriate personnel.
  • Serve as a point of contact for employees, corporate benefits, and plant leaders regarding employee leaves, 401(k), and other employee welfare programs.
  • Assist employees with claim resolution, electronic processes, and understanding benefit plan design.
  • Update, research, and resolve enrollment, marital status, and dependent verification discrepancies in Workday so vendors and payroll receive accurate eligibility, enrollment, and deduction information.
  • Partner with Corporate Benefits when benefits-related issues cannot be resolved.
  • Partner with Safety and Environmental, Health, and Safety on workers’ compensation claims, ensuring accurate data entry and collection of required documentation.
  • Act as a liaison between carriers and employees to facilitate information exchange, documentation collection and submission, leave approval, benefit enrollment, and dependent verification.
  • Partner with Corporate Benefits on open enrollment events, new or revised programs, and special events.
  • Lead the coordination of meetings and follow-up activities 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 additional relevant duties as assigned.
  • Follow and ensure others follow departmental and company safety policies and programs.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience administering employee leave with knowledge of Family and Medical Leave Act and Americans with Disabilities Act legal requirements.
  • Experience with Workday or another similar human capital management system.
  • An Associate’s degree in a relevant field.
  • The 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