Safety Manager

Ahlstrom • Kaukauna, WI

13h • Onsite

About The Position

Ahlstrom is seeking an experienced, hands-on Safety Manager to lead workplace safety and health programs at its unionized manufacturing mill at the Thilmany mill in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. The role partners with employees, union representatives, mill leadership, operations, maintenance, engineering, and Human Resources to prevent injuries, reduce risk, and strengthen shared responsibility for safety.

The Safety Manager is expected to be a visible, approachable leader who builds credibility through listening, practical guidance, and consistent follow-through. The position works on the mill floor, engages employees across shifts, partners with union representatives and management, and translates technical requirements into workable solutions. It uses data and root-cause analysis to drive prevention and encourages open reporting of hazards and near misses.

As a people leader, the manager provides direction and coaching to salaried and hourly team members, fosters collaboration while respecting the collective bargaining agreement, and balances immediate needs with long-term improvement. The role is based onsite and may require work on weekends and off-hours as needed and on a rotation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, industrial hygiene, engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• At least five years of progressive safety experience in manufacturing or another heavy industrial environment, including responsibility for safety programs and improvement initiatives.
• Working knowledge of occupational safety requirements and ability to translate technical standards into practical mill procedures.
• Experience with incident investigation, root-cause analysis, hazard assessment, corrective-action management, and safety training.
• Ability to build productive relationships with hourly employees, union representatives, and management in a unionized environment.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and coaching skills, with the ability to influence change and address concerns respectfully.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, including proficiency with reporting tools and safety performance data.
• Ability to work weekends and off-hours as needed and on a rotation.
• Current authorization to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a unionized manufacturing mill, preferably pulp and paper or a comparable continuous-process operation.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), or a related professional certification.
• Experience supporting joint labor-management safety committees and cross-functional improvement teams.
• Experience with industrial hygiene monitoring, ergonomics, contractor safety, and safety management systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mill’s safety and occupational health strategy, establishing priorities, measurable objectives, and sustainable improvement plans.
• Supervise and develop salaried and hourly direct reports by establishing clear responsibilities, coordinating work priorities, and supporting collaboration consistent with company policies and the collective bargaining agreement.
• Maintain and improve safety programs to support applicable regulatory requirements and company standards, including OSHA-related programs and required documentation.
• Build collaborative relationships with union representatives and employees; support joint safety committees and employee involvement in hazard identification and corrective actions.
• Maintain a visible presence throughout the mill, engage employees across shifts, and partner with leaders to address safety concerns promptly and consistently.
• Coordinate risk assessments, inspections, and audits; prioritize hazards and verify corrective actions are implemented and effective.
• Oversee programs addressing hazardous energy control, machine guarding, confined spaces, fall protection, mobile equipment, electrical safety, hazard communication, personal protective equipment, and contractor safety.
• Ensure effective incident and near-miss investigations using root-cause analysis; communicate lessons learned and track preventive actions while supporting open reporting.
• Develop and coordinate safety orientation, refresher training, and leadership education; maintain training records and evaluate effectiveness.
• Partner with operations, maintenance, and engineering to integrate safety into equipment changes, capital projects, shutdowns, and nonroutine work.
• Coordinate emergency preparedness, drills, and response planning with appropriate internal resources and external responders.
• Monitor leading and lagging safety indicators, identify trends, and provide recommendations to mill leadership.
• Partner with Human Resources and occupational health resources on injury reporting, prevention, and return-to-work coordination while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
• Own the plant protection equipment and system, including contracted security personnel.
• Support regulatory inspections and maintain accurate safety records, reports, and program documentation.

What This Job Offers

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