Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Who we are: At FRX Ohio, exceptional cannabis begins with exceptional cultivation. As one of the largest Certified Kind cannabis cultivators in the United States, we are committed to growing cannabis with integrity, transparency, and an unwavering focus on quality. Because cannabis cannot be certified USDA Organic under current federal law, the Certified Kind program provides an independent, third-party verification modeled after internationally recognized organic standards. Through rigorous inspections and accountability, Certified Kind cultivators demonstrate their commitment to producing cannabis with respect for both people and the planet. Everything we do starts with our living soil, which is an active ecosystem of beneficial bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that naturally cycle nutrients, support vigorous plant growth, and promote resilience. Rather than simply feeding the plant, we cultivate a thriving soil food web that allows each cultivar to fully express its unique cannabinoid and terpene profile while producing healthy, vibrant plants. By working with biological systems instead of relying on synthetic inputs, we produce cannabis that is true to its genetics and rich in the compounds that make every cultivar unique. We proudly offer flower, pre-rolls, concentrates, vaporizers, and edibles through our family of brands, including FRX, Anthos Organics, Common Citizen, Local Edibles, and Cannarocks. Every product reflects the same care, consistency, and attention to detail that goes into every harvest. What we offer: Compensation: $60,000-70,000 annually depending on experience Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance on the first of the month after you begin employment Competitive additional benefits including HSA, FSA, Dependable Care, EAP services, etc. 15 Days of accrued PTO in addition to 2 Wellness Days & Volunteer Hours that will increase with tenure 401k program with an employer match after six months of employment What the role is about: The Payroll and Benefits Specialist is responsible for processing payroll and administering and supporting employee benefit programs and leave management for a diverse cannabis workforce across multiple states. This role serves both hourly and salaried employees and provides day-to-day payroll processing along with guidance on benefits eligibility, enrollments, life events, LOA requests, ADA accommodations coordination, worker’s compensation and return-to-work processes. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, service-minded, and experienced in high-volume employee support environments, with strong knowledge of compliance requirements and the ability to communicate clearly with employees, managers, HR partners, and vendors. What impact you'll make: Administer health and welfare benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life/AD&D, disability, FSA/HSA, EAP, voluntary benefits, and retirement plans (as applicable) Support benefits eligibility and enrollments for new hires, annual open enrollment, qualifying life events, and status changes for hourly and salaried populations Maintain accurate benefit records and employee elections in HRIS/benefits administration platforms, ensuring alignment with vendor files and payroll deductions Provide benefits education and support to employees, answering questions in a clear, respectful, and compliant manner Partner with payroll to ensure accurate deductions, retroactive adjustments, and reconciliation of benefit billing and premium payments Serve as the primary point of contact for leave requests and administration, including: FMLA, state paid family/medical leave programs, ADA accommodations (process coordination), workers’ compensation coordination (with Risk/Safety), parental leave, personal leave, military leave, and company-specific leave policies Coordinate with third-party worker’s comp vendor to ensure leave cases are opened, documented, tracked, and closed appropriately Manage leave-related communications with employees and managers, including timelines, required documentation, benefit impacts, return-to-work requirements, and job protection parameters Track and update leave statuses accurately in HRIS and communicate with payroll regarding pay status, benefits continuation, and leave coding Support employees through the leave lifecycle, including intermittent leave tracking, extensions, and return-to-work planning Assist with COBRA administration support, terminations, and employee inquiries (either directly or through a vendor) Support audits, open enrollment testing, vendor file feeds, and reporting needs Maintain SOPs, job aids, and internal documentation for benefits and LOA processes Process bi-weekly/semi-monthly payroll for a multi-state workforce, ensuring accurate calculation of hours, wages, deductions, and tax withholdings for hourly and salaried employees Review and reconcile payroll data against timekeeping, benefits deductions, and leave/LOA coding to ensure accurate pay status and compliance with wage and hour laws Process payroll adjustments, including retroactive pay, off-cycle payments, garnishments, and terminations, in coordination with HR, Benefits, and Finance Maintain payroll records and respond to employee inquiries regarding pay, deductions, and discrepancies, escalating and resolving issues in a timely manner What you’ve accomplished: 3+ years of experience in benefits administration and/or LOA management (HR, HR Ops, shared services, or similar) Experience supporting hourly employees and high-volume employee populations Working knowledge of benefits eligibility, enrollments, life events, and leave management best practices Strong understanding of compliance concepts related to benefits and LOA (FMLA/ADA/COBRA) Proficiency with HR systems (HRIS, benefits platforms) and Excel Excellent communication skills, customer service skills and ability to explain complex policies in plain language Strong attention to detail, organization, and documentation discipline Experience processing multi-state payroll, including familiarity with wage and hour compliance, payroll tax requirements, and payroll systems (UKG/Wurk or similar platforms) What would make you stand out: Experience in a multi-state workforce (especially in regulated industries like cannabis, manufacturing, distribution, retail, or healthcare) Knowledge of state paid leave programs (e.g., PA, OH) EEO Statement Vireo Health, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.