Tara Caster

Experience

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  HBE Corporation

  Jan 1997 - Jan 2000

  Service Manager

  • Responsible for managing and developing consultants to ensure their performance provided the level of customer service that was expected per Adams Mark Hotel’s and Resorts.• Interview and select reservation consultants using team based behavioral interviews and technical testing.

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  BJC HealthCare

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2006

  Benefits Assistant

  • Assist in preparation of communication plans and materials to explain and educate employees about the benefits package.• Assist on management of our annual benefits enrollment process. This includes analyzing benefit programs and preparing data/reports to assist in decision making, vendor coordination, assisting on preparation of communication materials, managing the timeline, coordinating benefit fairs, training ESC’s, etc.

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  CBIZ Human Capital Services

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2007

  HR Consultant

  Served as the Remote Human Resources Manager for clients, in Missouri, Arizona, Texas, Minnesota, California, New Jersey and New York. • Responsible for the implementation, communication and administration of developed HR policies and programs.• Assist with handbook development and reviews.• Ensured proper compliance with multiple State and Federal employment laws.• Assist in Employee Relations Investigations for clients; coaching managers/supervisors• Process weekly, bi-weekly and semi-monthly payrolls for clients (union and non-union).• Process garnishments in payroll system and notify employees.• Respond to unemployment paperwork, determine employee eligibility for work search waivers by hours and track forms. Show less

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  Bryant Group, Inc.

  Oct 2007 - Dec 2010

  Account Manager - Employee Benefits

  • Work directly with clients, and manage the request for proposal (RFP) process with the insurance carriers (medical, dental, life, STD, LTD, Vision, etc.).• Review claim and utilization data from insurance carriers on a monthly/quarterly basis; analyze and interpret data for trends.• Develop employee communications for client’s open enrollment process.• Coordinate new plan implementation process and facilitate open enrollment meetings.• Establish necessary carrier/vendor relationships with appropriate contacts to serve clients in handling all administration and renewals (eligibility, claims, billing, plan implementation, contracts, plan changes, and necessary amendments). Show less

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  Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of St. Louis County

  Apr 2008 - May 2021

  CASA Advocate (Volunteer)

  After being assigned to a case, I get to know the child by talking with everyone in that child's life: parents and relatives, foster parents, teachers, medical professionals, attorneys, social workers and others. Then I use the information that I have gathered to inform judges and others of what the child needs and what will be the best permanent home for them.

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  Bunge

  Jan 2011 - Mar 2014

  Health & Welfare Benefits Supervisor

  • Monitors, analyzes and recommends actions for existing, new and evolving benefit programs for all of North America including Canada.• Manage the design, implementation and governance of our Expat and Inpat Benefit Plans• Work with local HR/Management at Bunge’s different plants and locations on benefit issues, communications and wellness initiatives.• Supervises 2 direct reports –Benefits Coordinator and Wellness Coordinator• Handle all escalated benefit issues and works with benefits broker, carriers, vendors, etc to resolve. • Ensures company compliance with FMLA, ADA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, DOMA, etc, any state mandated laws. • Coordinate all company related health benefits programs on site (flu shots, mammograms, wellness programs, etc.)• Manage the design, implementation, communication, documentation, and governance of all health/welfare benefits and retirement benefit plans in conjunction with benefits broker. • Implement Wellness Program and Wellness Incentive Program for North America.• Researching, understanding and assisting with legal changes, internal policy and practice changes.• Assist with benefit plan changes and amendments.• Review and update SMM, SPD and plan documents for compliance.• Assist in FMLA, STD and COBRA administration for salaried, hourly and union hourly employees.• Conducts benefit-related presentations and training.• Assist with Mergers & Acquisitions Show less

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  Edgewell Personal Care (formerly Energizer)

  May 2014 - Aug 2015

  Global Rewards Manager

  • Design and develop benefit programs and policies aligned with the organizational goals and objectives.• Recommend benefit programs to senior leadership by identifying employee requirements and industry trends.• Plan, implement, communicate and oversee the administration of employee benefits programs.• Manage the design, implementation and governance of our Expat and Inpat Benefit Plans• Comply with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation; obtaining qualified opinions; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.• Build and manage relationships with third-party benefit providers, auditors, brokers and administrators.• Strategic planning and implementation – Assist the Director Rewards - NA in determination of strategic direction and tactical implementation of same.• Monitor plan activity / performance / cost– ensuring appropriate internal controls and identifying opportunities for improvement.• Lead the Company Separation Project for the North America Health & Welfare Benefits• Project Lead – Moving both organizations to a Private Exchange for 2016 Show less

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  The Maschhoffs

  Aug 2015 - Jan 2017

  Associate Director, Benefits

  • Developed and implemented processes to ensure consistent execution of HR work across the organization, resulting in increased quality and reduced risk and cost.• Harmonized and integrated HR Processes across the organization, improving performance and quality of our HR Generalist team in support of the organization.• Assisted in the development/maintenance of HR policies and employee manuals. Reviewed and recommended improvements of policies and procedures.• Assisted compliance team and legal team with employee relations issues and all regulatory items • Consulted with managers and Human Resource Business Partners on employee/management issues that arose to maintain consistency on all HR policies and regulations. • Administered and supervised the Worker’s Compensation Program, including the renewal and all quarterly review meetings, day to day case management, participation in settlement negotiations, recommending loss control strategies, and report out to Executives (CEO and Presidents) • Served as Chair for the Investment Committee as well as the Benefits Committee• Managed companywide benefits programs including day-to-day administration, open enrollment, benefits education, Intranet benefits website, compliance, claims resolution, change reporting, and budget management. Monitored benefit trends in the business environment and stayed up-to-date on applicable benefits legislation. • Monitored the effectiveness of existing benefits policy, processes and guidelines recommending improvements to plans that are cost effective, more efficient and competitive with market trends and organizational objectives• Audited benefit plans for compliance with government regulations. Reviewed and updated Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) with any plan design changes and legal compliance updates.• Performed due diligence for new business initiatives to determine the appropriate HR plans, programs, processes, and tools based on financial and legal exposure Show less

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  Cowell James Forge Insurance Group, LLC

  Oct 2017 - Jun 2022

  • Contribute to generation of annual revenue consulting budget by partnering with producers in all insurance lines to cross-sell HR services and maintaining and developing client relationships.• Assist client companies to develop and improve existing HR practices, including policy and procedure manuals, recruitment processes, education on compliance with all local, state and federal laws in relation to employment practices, development of employee wellness programs and benefit analysis and recommendations.• Travel to client locations for proposal presentations, and to deliver various HR consulting products and services.• Maintain knowledge of industry trends and employment legislation for internal and external client compliance.• Conduct research on federal, state and local employment laws via internet, periodicals, and other resources.• Develop and market new HR consulting products.• Participate in area professional organizations for networking and benchmarking.• Participate in developing HR consulting department goals, objectives and systems.• Maintain HR Consulting files including research materials, client information, etc.• Assist in evaluation of reports, decisions, and results of department in relation to established goals. Recommend new approaches, policies and procedures to effect continual improvements in efficiency of department and service performed. Show less

  • Vice President Benefits, Human Resources & Compliance

    Feb 2020 - Jun 2022

  • Director of Human Resources

    Oct 2017 - Feb 2020
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  Farmer's Business Network, Inc.

  Jul 2022 - Aug 2023

  Director of Global Benefits & People Operations

  • Develop and manage FBN’s global benefits program strategy, taking into consideration our culture, workforce needs and market-competitive norms. • Evolve and balance FBN’s benefits and wellness portfolio to support the organization's global employee base and their diverse needs through rapid growth.• Develop and manage HR Compliance function ensuring all federal, state and local reporting requirements are met• Manage global mobility policy, enablement and service support• Provide leadership, tools and ongoing education to People Operations team members servicing tier 0 and 1 employee benefits questions, recruiters, HRBPs, managers and employees.• Provide benefits program expertise and leadership for global expansion, acquisition diligence and integration.• Provide leadership to the People Operations team. Establish effective training programs and monitor team performance. • Design, manage and administer People team operational processes that support FBN’s business needs. Collaborate cross-functionally to develop or update processes, as needed.• Continue to evolve the People operational support model as the organization grows and matures, establishing plans for expanded service offerings and support across multiple countries.• Drive employee data and perform audits/updates/edits to employee HR data in FBN’s global HCM across the employee lifecycle.• Collaborate with the People Systems team to ensure People processes are well-designed and developed in tandem with the HR systems that support them. • Manage FBN’s global mobility function. Support the development of effective programs, guidelines and operational processes for work visa administration, relocation, and cross-border work assignments.• Participate as a team member on due diligence and integration planning teams to ensure effective onboarding of employees who join FBN via acquisition.• Drive immigration and mobility standards. (VISA’s, Relocation) Show less

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  Pretium

  Sept 2023 - now

  Vice President, Benefits - People Services