Overview:
The Safety Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing all health and safety programs within the meat packing facility. This role ensures compliance with OSHA, USDA, and company standards while fostering a culture of safety among all employees. The Safety Manager leads incident investigations, conducts training, and partners with leadership to proactively identify and mitigate risks.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and enforce safety policies, procedures, and programs tailored to meat processing operations.
- Conduct regular audits, inspections, and risk assessments to ensure compliance with OSHA, USDA, and other regulatory agencies.
- Lead incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action planning.
- Maintain accurate records of injuries, illnesses, near misses, and safety-related documentation.
- Coordinate and deliver safety training programs, including PPE use, lockout/tagout, ergonomics, and hazard communication.
- Serve as the primary contact for regulatory inspections and ensure timely resolution of findings.
- Collaborate with HR, operations, and maintenance teams to promote a safe working environment.
- Monitor and analyze safety performance metrics; report trends and recommend improvements.
- Manage emergency preparedness plans, including fire drills, evacuation procedures, and first aid readiness.
- Promote employee engagement in safety initiatives through committees, recognition programs, and feedback channels.
Qualifications
Skills and Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health, or related field preferred.
- 5+ years of safety experience in manufacturing or food processing, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
- In-depth knowledge of OSHA regulations, USDA standards, and HACCP principles.
- Strong communication and training skills across diverse employee groups.
- Proficiency in incident tracking software and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred for effective communication with workforce.
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or similar credential is a plus.
- Sufficient written communication and reading skills
- Ability to operate or to quickly learn equipment
- Good time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to follow directions
- Ability to assess products for quality compliance
Work Environment & Physical Demands
The work environment characteristics & physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) required.
- Noise level is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area – earplugs are required in some areas
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position during the shift, using repetitive motion
- Must be able occasionally lift, push, pull and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds across the plant for various needs
- Spends time in cold environments
- Must have good hand/eye coordination
Other duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.