Safety Manager

Position OverviewWe are partnering with an established food manufacturing organization seeking an experienced Safety Manager to oversee environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs across multiple high-speed production facilities.This position will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive safety programs that promote a proactive safety culture, ensure regulatory compliance, and minimize workplace incidents across multiple locations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in high-speed manufacturing environments, preferably within food processing or production, and demonstrated experience managing safety initiatives across multiple facilities. This individual must be comfortable working directly with plant leadership, production teams, and frontline employees to drive accountability and continuous improvement. Key ResponsibilitiesSafety Leadership & Program ManagementLead and oversee workplace safety programs across multiple manufacturing facilities, ensuring consistency in policies, procedures, and performance expectations.Develop, implement, and maintain safety policies, standard operating procedures, and preventative measures to reduce workplace incidents.Partner with plant managers, operations leadership, maintenance teams, and employees to promote a strong safety culture.Conduct regular facility inspections, safety audits, and risk assessments to identify potential hazards and implement corrective actions.Establish and monitor key safety performance indicators, including incident rates, near misses, corrective action completion, and safety training compliance.Provide guidance and support to site leadership on safety initiatives, employee engagement, and operational risk management. Regulatory Compliance & Risk ManagementEnsure compliance with applicable OSHA, Cal/OSHA, and other federal, state, and local workplace safety regulations.Oversee safety programs related to Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), machine guarding, hazardous energy control, confined spaces, hazard communication, ergonomics, and powered industrial trucks.Partner with engineering and maintenance teams to evaluate equipment safety, particularly within high-speed automated production and packaging environments.Lead incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action plans to prevent recurrence.Maintain accurate safety documentation, regulatory reporting, training records, and incident logs.Support regulatory inspections, third-party audits, and internal compliance reviews. Training & Employee DevelopmentDevelop and deliver safety training programs for production employees, supervisors, maintenance personnel, and leadership teams.Ensure employees receive appropriate safety training related to equipment operation, workplace hazards, emergency response, and safe work practices.Coach plant leadership and supervisors on reinforcing safety expectations and addressing unsafe behaviors.Promote employee participation in safety committees, hazard identification, and continuous improvement initiatives.Establish consistent onboarding and refresher training programs across facilities. Multi-Site Operations & Continuous ImprovementProvide safety oversight and support across multiple manufacturing locations, including regular site visits and collaboration with local leadership.Standardize safety procedures and reporting practices while addressing facility-specific operational risks.Identify trends in safety performance and develop initiatives to reduce injuries, downtime, and operational disruptions.Work closely with operations and maintenance teams to implement safety improvements without compromising production efficiency.Evaluate safety risks associated with new equipment, process changes, facility expansions, and production line modifications.Prepare and present safety performance reports, improvement initiatives, and recommendations to senior leadership. Required QualificationsBachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Health and Safety, Industrial Safety, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.5+ years of progressive safety or EHS experience within a manufacturing or industrial environment.Demonstrated experience managing safety programs within high-speed manufacturing or production environments.Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, workplace safety standards, and regulatory compliance requirements.Experience with machine guarding, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), equipment safety, and hazard identification in automated production environments.Proven ability to conduct incident investigations, root cause analyses, safety audits, and corrective action planning.Strong leadership, communication, training, and organizational skills.Ability to influence plant leadership and frontline employees while driving a culture of safety and accountability.Willingness and ability to travel between manufacturing facilities as needed. Preferred QualificationsExperience in high-speed food manufacturing, food processing, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) production.Previous responsibility for safety programs across multiple manufacturing facilities.Familiarity with high-speed production lines, automated packaging equipment, conveyors, and industrial machinery.Experience with Process Safety Management (PSM), ammonia refrigeration systems, or other relevant food manufacturing safety programs.Knowledge of Cal/OSHA requirements and California workplace safety regulations.Professional safety certifications such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), or Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM).Experience implementing behavioral safety programs and continuous improvement initiatives.Familiarity with workers' compensation claims management and return-to-work programs.Ideal Candidate ProfileThe successful candidate will be a proactive, hands-on safety professional who understands the operational demands of high-speed food manufacturing.This individual will be able to balance regulatory compliance with practical safety solutions, build strong relationships with plant leadership, and establish consistent safety standards across multiple locations.We are seeking someone who can take ownership of the organization's safety initiatives, identify opportunities for improvement, and serve as a trusted resource to both senior leadership and frontline employees.