Director of Safety Central Services

Darling Ingredients repurposes and recycles materials from the animal agriculture and food industries—transforming them into essential ingredients that feed animals, fertilize crops, fuel planes, and nourish people. We are the largest publicly traded company of our kind, operating over 260 facilities in more than 15 countries. Our scale enables us to reduce waste and advance sustainability, helping move the world toward a circular economy.

About the role

This position reports to the VP of Safety Management and serves as a strategic leader responsible for designing, developing, implementing, educating, and administering comprehensive health and safety programs. The role directs the day-to-day operations of the Safety Central Services Team and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This leader drives strategic educational initiatives to champion program implementation and success, supporting a positive safety culture across plants, docks, offices, and other operational areas.

The role is both strategic and tactical, leading a team of 5+ safety managers to develop, implement, and administer safety programs, policies, systems, and specialized services. This leader collaborates with the Regional Safety Support Team, Fleet Safety Director, and other operational and corporate stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Enable a world-class safety culture through the development and implementation of effective, innovative solutions, programs, systems, tools, and educational materials.
• Develop and manage the Safety Central Services Team, including strategic mentoring, process review, and driving continuous improvement in performance and services.
• Develop and implement safety and compliance management systems, processes, programs, policies, and procedures aligned with business practices.
• Monitor and interpret federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., DOT, OSHA) and determine their applicability to operations.
• Manage the company’s regulatory reporting function and coordinate resources during regulatory audits.
• Develop employee education, training, engagement, and performance management strategies, including:
  • Creating dashboards, analytics, and metrics for success.
  • Designing safety curricula, certifications, training tracks, and learning paths to enhance employee competencies.
  • Developing efficient training strategies using technology, such as learning management systems (LMS), to increase field engagement and meet compliance requirements.
  • Supporting operations with standardized material and content development.
  • Creating communications and engagement strategies and materials.
• Oversee and manage specialized services, including:
  • Process Safety Management (PSM) and related plans and evaluations.
  • Dust Hazard Analyses (DHA) and related plans and evaluations.
  • Industrial hygiene services and support.
  • Emergency action and response planning, training, and coordination.
  • Maintenance of Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
• Lead and oversee key services, including:
  • Data dashboards, scorecards, and trend analyses.
  • Safety information systems management and centralized recordkeeping to meet regulatory requirements.
  • Communication strategies.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience leading high-functioning, action-oriented teams, and a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety or a related discipline. In lieu of a degree, 7+ years of specific leadership and people management experience in Occupational Health and Safety is required.
• 5+ years of experience in education, adult learning principles, content design, and organizational development.
• Experience administering and implementing learning management systems (LMS).
• Familiarity with leveraging technology to support safety educational initiatives.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to drive long-term goals and objectives.
• Experience developing and implementing safety programs, safety management systems (e.g., ISO 45001), RACI models, accountability processes, and standardized best practices.
• Self-motivated with the ability to analyze and solve complex problems through innovative thought and experience.
• Proven ability to handle multiple projects/tasks and lead cross-functional teams with minimal guidance in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build positive working relationships through collaboration in a heavily matrixed environment.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex processes and concepts for diverse audiences.
• Limited travel, up to 20%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Safety experience in a large multinational company; global safety experience preferred.
• Licenses and certifications in Safety Management, Continuous Improvement, or Organizational Development.
• Experience in Lean Manufacturing; proficiency in 5S is a plus.
• Strong math skills, including statistical analysis.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential duties of this job.

Working Environment

• Exposed to unpleasant or disagreeable physical environments such as high noise levels, strong odors, and/or exposure to heat and cold (occasionally, up to 20%).
• Exposed to biohazardous conditions (occasionally, up to 20%).
• Exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals requiring attention to safety considerations (occasionally, up to 20%).
• Exposed to electrical hazards and risk of electrical shock (occasionally, up to 20%).
• Handles or works with potentially dangerous equipment (occasionally, up to 20%).
• Travels to offsite locations (occasionally, up to 20%).

Physical Demands

• Sit: Must be able to remain in a stationary position (constantly, at least 51%).
• Walk: Must be able to move about inside/outside the office or work location (constantly, at least 51%).
• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel: Operates a computer and other office machinery (constantly, at least 51%).
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl: Must be able to position oneself to maintain computers, including under desks and in server closets (occasionally, up to 20%).
• Climb or balance: Must be able to ascend/descend a ladder (occasionally, up to 20%).
• Talk, hear, taste, smell: Must be able to use senses to effectively communicate and detect hazardous conditions (occasionally, up to 20%).
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds (occasionally, up to 20%).

Vision Demands

• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less).
• Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more).
• Ability to adjust focus.