Complex Safety And Health Manager

Pilgrim's • Lafayette, GA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Pilgrim’s is hiring a Complex Health and Safety Manager for its new startup facility in LaFayette, Georgia. The role leads the facility’s health, safety, security, and workers’ compensation programs and serves as a member of the site leadership team. The manager drives regulatory compliance, risk reduction, injury prevention, and continuous improvement while helping establish processes and a strong safety culture at a new operation.

The position partners with operations, medical providers, regulatory agencies, and corporate leadership. It implements corporate safety programs, manages audits and investigations, oversees safety training, monitors performance metrics, manages the departmental budget and security force, and supports workers’ compensation claims. The role requires responsiveness in a 24/7 manufacturing environment, a flexible schedule that includes some weekends and varying shifts, and travel of up to 10% annually, sometimes with overnight stays.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in safety engineering, safety management, or a related field.
• Extensive knowledge of Workers’ Compensation, OSHA, DOT, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• At least five years of safety leadership experience; five or more years of safety experience in the food industry is preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and team development skills, including effective verbal and written communication across all levels of the organization.
• Understanding of supervisory principles, employee training, and performance management.
• Proficiency in SAP or a comparable ERP system, Microsoft Excel, and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds or more.
• Ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing environment and work a flexible schedule, including some weekends and varying shifts.
• Ability to travel up to 10% annually, including occasional overnight trips of one to four days.
• Comfort navigating production areas and equipment safely and efficiently.

Nice To Haves

• Five or more years of safety experience in the food industry.
• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain all corporate Safety and Health programs.
• Develop and maintain the site’s SharePoint and maintain open communication with the Corporate Safety Manager.
• Assist with investigations of near misses, first-aid cases, recordable cases, and lost-day injuries in accordance with the Corporate Safety Leadership and Accountability Program.
• Assist the Fleet Safety Regional Manager with investigations of vehicular accidents.
• Track injury trends and develop action plans to address identified accident trends.
• Keep the management team informed about safety and health issues or concerns within the role’s scope.
• Work regularly with Occupational Health Nurses to build a team atmosphere across the safety and medical areas.
• Maintain a visible presence in the processing plant and other site locations.
• Conduct periodic safety and health audits and track findings through closure.
• Submit the site’s monthly safety performance numbers to the Corporate Safety Office by the deadlines.
• Participate in the site’s Workers’ Compensation program, attend scheduled meetings, provide supporting documentation for claims in litigation, and assist the Occupational Health Nurse and Third Party Administrator in managing open claims.
• Provide training support and ensure required monthly training is completed as scheduled.
• Manage the security force to protect employees, visitors, contractors, property, and assets.
• Serve as the site liaison for outside agencies conducting annual assessments, including the insurance carrier, local fire department, OSHA, and EPA.
• Generate, manage, and monitor the safety departmental budget, evaluating cost-saving opportunities related to training, travel, and personal protective equipment.
• Liaise with the Property Insurance Company to close open recommendations and work with the Engineering Construction Department to ensure new construction meets FM Global specifications.
• Work closely with the local medical community so medical vendors understand the company’s OSHA recordkeeping and return-to-work program philosophy.
• Promote a positive, collaborative work environment through communication and teamwork.
• Proactively identify and address safety and food safety risks and promote safe practices throughout the facility.

Benefits

• Vision, medical, and dental coverage beginning after 60 days of employment.
• Paid sick leave, vacation, company-observed holidays, and other statutorily required paid leave.
• 401(k) company match beginning after the first year of service, subject to the company vesting schedule.
• Eligibility to participate in the company’s annual bonus plan; bonus amounts vary and are subject to the program’s standard terms and conditions.
• Continuous learning opportunities and learning and development programs supporting professional growth and career development.
• Better Futures.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager