Leave Analyst
Work Location: Chicago
Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.
Want to make an impact?
Are you an HR professional passionate about employee well-being and compliance? As a Leave Analyst in the People Hub within Ferrara’s People & Organization (P&O) team, you’ll lead and manage our Leave of Absence (LOA) programs. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations in a dynamic environment featuring manufacturing, office-based and field/remote jobs. This is a valuable opportunity to support Ferrara colleagues through life’s important moments with care, compliance, and professionalism.
The Leave Analyst is responsible for the management and coordination of all employee leave programs, including FMLA, ADA, state-specific leaves and company-sponsored leave policies. This role ensures compliance with applicable laws and internal policies while delivering a supportive and empathetic experience for Ferrara colleagues.
Ways you will make a difference
- Field incoming leave requests from Ferrara colleagues, validating eligibility and confirming timelines.
- Managing active leaves of absence, including tracking duration, milestones and return to work notifications.
- Make outbound contact as needed to colleagues to remind them of required actions and deadlines related to their leave of absence.
- Provide accurate information to P&O teammates in a timely and professional manner.
- Educate P&O colleagues on leave policies and practices so they can play their role and support the business.
- Own process improvement projects in the leave domain. Identify potential improvements to process, roles & responsibilities and technology.
- Enter data and submit transactions correctly and accurately in the company’s HRIS (SAP SuccessFactors) and third party leave administrator’s system.
- Document resolution of service requests and contribute to development of standard process documentation covering leaves of absence.
- Follow policies and standard procedures to ensure leave management conforms to established guidelines and business processes of the Company.
- Troubleshoot issues or concerns and escalate them within P&O or other departments as necessary.
- Demonstrate customer empathy by anticipating needs and owning resolution.
Skills that will make you successful
Leave of Absence & Policy Management
- Administer and track leaves in accordance with FMLA, ADA, COBRA and applicable state/local laws.
- Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) on leave policies, interpreting and applying laws consistently.
- Develop, update, and enforce internal leave-related policies in collaboration with other teams.
- Supervise the third-party leave administrator and ongoing ensure alignment with organizational goals.
State Paid Leave Program Oversight
- Lead implementation and management of state-mandated leave programs with particular emphasis on Illinois and California.
- Act as the primary resource for employees and managers regarding state leave programs.
- Provide policy guidance and troubleshoot operational issues.
HRIS & Data Management
- Ensure accuracy of leave data in HRIS systems (e.g., SAP SuccessFactors).
- Partner with other HR analysts to analyze and report on leave metrics and trends.
- Maintain data integrity and support audits and compliance reporting.
Employee Support & Service Excellence
- Act as the first point of contact for LOA-related inquiries, demonstrating empathy and professionalism.
- Provide timely, accurate information and follow up on employee concerns.
- Document resolutions and contribute to standard process documentation.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Liaise with third-party leave administrator and internal teams (P&O, Payroll, Legal, EHS).
- Support P&O colleagues on leave processes and systems to promote effective self-service.
- Identify and act on opportunities to improve the LOA experience and process efficiency.
Experiences that will support your success
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 5+ years of experience managing leave of absence programs, preferably in a manufacturing, retail or healthcare setting.
- Strong knowledge of FMLA, ADA, and state-specific leave laws.
- Experience with HRIS systems (e.g., SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, or similar).
- Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with third-party leave administrators.
- Familiarity with Workers’ Compensation and short-term/long-term disability programs.
- Spanish language proficiency is a plus.
What We Offer
At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Candy-2025-OE-QR
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $68,625-96,075 annually.
Nearest Major Market: Chicago