Complex Safety And Health Manager

JBS Foods • Lafayette, GA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Complex Safety and Health Manager leads all aspects of health, safety, security, and workers’ compensation programs at Pilgrim’s new startup facility in LaFayette, Georgia. As a member of the site leadership team, this role drives regulatory compliance, risk reduction, injury prevention, and continuous improvement. The manager implements corporate safety programs, oversees audits and investigations and safety training, monitors performance metrics, manages the departmental budget and security force, and works with operations, medical providers, regulatory agencies, and corporate leadership to promote a safe and healthy workplace.

The role requires a highly responsive leader who can support a 24/7 manufacturing environment. The position involves travel of up to 10% annually, occasionally with overnight stays of 1–4 days per trip, and a flexible schedule that includes some weekends and varying shifts. The manager must be comfortable navigating production areas and equipment safely, proactively addressing safety and food safety risks, and building a positive, collaborative work environment.

The position is based at a startup facility and includes a Monday–Friday schedule with occasional weekends. The stated base salary range is $79,417.00–$104,140.33, with eligibility for the company’s annual bonus plan. Benefits include vision, medical, and dental coverage after 60 days; paid leave; a 401(k) company match beginning after the first year of service; and learning and development opportunities.

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.
• A minimum of five years of safety leadership experience; five or more years of safety experience in the food industry is preferred.
• Understanding of supervisory principles, employee training, and performance management.
• Proficiency in SAP or a comparable ERP system, Microsoft Excel, and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong leadership, communication, and team development skills, including effective verbal and written communication across organizational levels.
• Ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing environment with a flexible schedule, including some weekends and varying shifts.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds or more.
• Ability to travel up to 10% annually, with occasional overnight stays of 1–4 days per trip.
• Ability to navigate production areas and equipment safely and efficiently.

Nice To Haves

• Safety experience in the food industry or food manufacturing.
• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain all corporate safety and health programs.
• Develop and maintain the site’s SharePoint.
• Maintain open communication with the Corporate Safety Manager.
• Assist with investigations of near misses, first aid cases, recordable cases, and lost-day injuries, as described in the Corporate Safety Leadership and Accountability Program.
• Assist the Fleet Safety Regional Manager with vehicle accident investigations.
• Track injury trends and develop action plans to address them.
• Keep the management team informed of safety and health issues or concerns within the role’s scope.
• Work daily with Occupational Health Nurses to build a team atmosphere across 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 Workers’ Compensation program, including attending meetings, providing documentation for claims in litigation, and helping manage open claims with the Occupational Health Nurse and Third Party Administrator.
• 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 department budget, evaluating cost-saving opportunities for training, travel, and personal protective equipment.
• Work with the Property Insurance Company to close open recommendations and with the Engineering Construction Department to ensure new construction meets FM Global specifications.
• Engage with the local medical community to ensure medical vendors understand the company’s OSHA recordkeeping and return-to-work programs.
• Promote safety, compliance, and continuous improvement across the facility.

Benefits

• Vision, medical, and dental coverage beginning after 60 days of employment.
• Paid sick leave, vacation, company-observed holidays, or 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 annual bonus plan, subject to its standard terms and conditions.
• Continuous learning and career development opportunities through learning and development programs.
• Better Futures.

What This Job Offers

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