Job Description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions Statement(s)

• Develops, implements, and continuously improves facility-wide safety programs and policies to ensure compliance with FDA, OSHA, FTZ, and customer-specific standards.
• Works in conjunction with Food Safety to ensure all training programs related to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) align with FDA rules and regulations; ensures safety-related training curricula remain current and effective.
• Conducts forklift certification training for all new hires; administers post-incident recertification as required; monitors and tracks three (3) year forklift certification renewals to ensure all operators remain current and compliant with OSHA standards.
• Oversees program documentation and compliance training for all team members; ensures records are accurate, current, and audit-ready.
• Directs records management and storage for all training programs including OSHA and GMP.
• Chairs the Safety Committee; sets meeting agendas, leads quarterly safety meetings, tracks action items to completion, and presents findings and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Directs and coordinates with management and contractors on building maintenance concerns, prioritizing safety-related projects.
• Plans, schedules, and oversees all warehouse inspections and audits as needed.
• Directs all safety inspections and audits including rack inspections, door inspections, and yard inspections; ensures corrective actions are implemented.
• Manages the workplace incident reporting process; reviews all submitted incident reports from supervisors or managers; conducts root cause analyses and implements corrective and preventive actions.
• Develops and enforces the master cleaning schedule for the facility; holds team leads accountable for adherence to cleanliness and sanitation standards.
• Ensures facility compliance with Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) regulations; oversees security protocols, access controls, inventory tracking, and documentation required by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
• Supports the facility’s Safe Quality Food (SQF) program by ensuring safety practices align with SQF requirements; coordinates with the SQF Coordinator as needed to maintain compliance.
• Oversees the First Responder Program; ensures adequate scheduling and coverage of certified First Aid and CPR personnel across all shifts.
• Manages vendor compliance including Certificates of Insurance and Vendor Policy documentation; escalates non-compliance issues as needed.
• Analyzes safety metrics and incident trends; prepares reports and presentations for senior management with actionable recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Develops and manages the safety department budget, including training materials, equipment, and third-party services.
• Reliable attendance at scheduled shifts.
• Performs all duties in conformance to appropriate safety and security standards.
• Performs all other duties as assigned or needed by the General Manager or the customer.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statement(s)

Leadership – Ability to lead, motivate, and influence cross-functional personnel on safety matters. Ability to set clear expectations, drive accountability, and champion a culture of safety.

Decision Making – Ability to make sound, timely decisions using available data and professional judgment, especially in time-sensitive or high-stakes safety situations.

Strategic Planning – Ability to develop long-range safety plans, set departmental goals, and align safety initiatives with overall business objectives.

Attendance – Ability to work required schedule and arrive at work on time and work alternative schedules to accommodate the needs of the business.

Communication – Ability to effectively communicate in writing and verbally in a courteous and professional manner at all organizational levels. Ability to present complex safety information clearly to senior leadership, customers, and Team Members. Ability to select and use appropriate communication methods.

Diversity Oriented – Ability to work effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type.

Relationship Building – Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers, co-workers, and management.

Active Listening – Ability to actively attend to, convey, and understand the comments and questions of others.

Empathetic – Ability to appreciate and be sensitive to the feelings of others; foster a supportive and inclusive team environment.

Coaching and Development – Ability to provide guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge and skill areas related to safety.

Mathematics – Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations.

Language – Ability to read and interpret documents such as receivers, invoices, operating instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write detailed reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information to top management, customers, and Team Members.

Accuracy – Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.

Detail Oriented – Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task and prioritize tasks. Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and initiatives.

Analytical Skills – Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret safety metrics, incident trends, and financial information to drive continuous improvement.

Research Skills – Ability to design and conduct systematic, objective, and critical investigations into safety incidents, regulatory changes, and best practices.

Accountability – Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.

Reliability – Ability to be dependable and trustworthy.

Responsibility – Ability to be held accountable or answerable for one’s conduct.

Self-Motivated – Ability to be internally inspired to perform a task to the best of one’s ability using his or her own drive or initiative.

Safety Awareness – Expert-level ability to identify, assess, and correct conditions that affect Team Member safety; stay current on evolving regulations and industry best practices.

Regulatory Knowledge – Working knowledge of FDA, OSHA, SQF, and FTZ regulatory frameworks. Ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements to facility operations and ensure audit readiness.

Organized – Ability to follow a systematic method of performing tasks and to establish efficient processes for others to follow.

Adaptability – Ability to adapt to change in the workplace and lead others through transitions.

Paperwork Completion – Ability to complete and oversee the completion of necessary paperwork neatly, accurately, and according to established guidelines.

Paperwork Verification – Ability to verify paperwork necessary to ensure team members and corporate are receiving correct documentation and information.

Business Acumen – Ability to grasp and understand business concepts and issues, including budgeting, resource allocation, and regulatory impact on operations.

Conflict Resolution – Ability to mediate and resolve disagreements in a professional, constructive manner.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education: Associate’s degree in Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Experience: Three (3) years of progressive safety experience in a warehouse, distribution, or manufacturing environment, including a minimum of one (1) year in a supervisory or lead role.

Computer Skills: Proficient computer skills; MS Office Suite (Excel, Access, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint). Experience with safety management software or databases preferred.

Certificates & Licenses: OSHA 30-Hour General Industry or equivalent certification required. Forklift Trainer certification required. First Aid/CPR instructor certification preferred. Additional safety certifications (CSP, ASP, CHST) are a plus. Knowledge of Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) regulations and CBP compliance preferred.