Safety Manager - Runnings, Retail Support Center - Marshall, MN

Functions Of The Role

The Safety Manager is responsible for leading and supporting safety programs across all Runnings operating locations, including retail stores, distribution centers, and the Retail Support Center. This role serves as the primary owner of companywide safety compliance and partners closely with Operations, Human Resources, insurance partners, and leadership teams to strengthen safety culture, reduce risk, and drive measurable improvements in safety performance across a multi-state environment.

This role has the authority to recommend immediate corrective actions, including suspension of unsafe operations, when imminent hazards are identified. This role uses a practical, field-focused, coaching approach to help teams work safely while supporting efficient operations and great service to customers and communities.

This role has the authority to recommend immediate corrective actions, including pausing work or operations when imminent danger exists, until hazards are mitigated and serves as the company representative for OSHA/state-plan interactions, including inspections, responses, and abatement tracking.

Organizational Relationships

Reports directly to the Director of Human Resources
Partners closely with Store Managers, Distribution Center Managers, Retail Support Center Leadership, HR, unit-level communities, and insurance/claims partners

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Enterprise-Wide Safety Leadership
  Promote and create a proactive, consistent safety culture across stores, distribution centers, and the Retail Support Center
  Serve as the primary safety resource across all operating locations and creates and delivers executive level safety reports and dashboards (injury trends, leading indicators, audit performance, corrective action closures and claim metrics)

• Partner with Operations and HR teams to ensure safety expectations are understood, supported, and consistently applied companywide
  Support and strengthen unit-level safety efforts, including store, distribution center, and Retail Support Center safety committees, by providing guidance, training, resources, and best practices

• Establish consistent processes for hazard identification, reporting, corrective action, and verification of completion across all operating locations

• Develop, implement, and maintain safety policies, programs, and procedures applicable to retail, warehouse, and office environments aligned with best practices
  Create and deliver safety training for team members and leaders, including onboarding, refresher training, and role-specific education

• Support ongoing safety communication, lead safety meetings, and the unit-level safety committee initiatives to reinforce expectations and safe work behaviors
  Ensure programs and training address retail and distribution hazards including slips/trips/falls, material handling/ergonomics, seasonal operations, dock safety, PIT, conveyors, machine guarding, and lockout/tagout (as applicable)

• Compliance & Risk Management
  Ensure compliance with OSHA and other federal, state, and local safety regulations; represent the company during OSHA/state-plan inspections and abatement and reporting of sever incident reporting and regulatory notifications
  Support OSHA compliance and reporting, including recordkeeping, regulatory reporting, inspections, and corrective action follow-up across all operating locations

• Manager multi-state OSHA/state plan requiring and conduct frequent routine audits/risk assessments across retail, DCs and the Support Center.
  Maintain safety programs/documentation, contractor controls, and safety review support for all new stores, acquisitions, and operational changes.

• Incident, Claims & Performance Management
  Oversee the reporting, investigation, and follow-up of incidents, injuries, and near misses across all locations
  Analyze injury, claim, and near miss trends to identify root causes and prevention opportunities
  Partner with HR and Operations to support workers’ compensation claims management and return-to-work efforts

• Leverage data and findings to help reduce claim frequency and severity, improve loss ratios, and positively impact the company’s Experience Modification Rate (EMR)
  Track and report leading indicators such as near-miss reporting, audit completion, safety observations, and corrective action closure performance

• Partnership & Continuous Improvement
  Partner closely with Operations leadership to address safety risks while supporting efficient business operations
  Collaborate with Human Resources on training, employee relations considerations, and claims-related activities tied to workplace safety

• Provide ongoing consultation and support to unit-level safety committees, helping ensure local safety concerns are identified, documented, and addressed consistently
  Partner directly with insurance brokers and safety consultants to proactively identify risks, implement recommendations, and continuously drive safety improvements across stores, distribution centers, and the Retail Support Center

• Track safety metrics and key indicators, including claims trends, loss performance, and EMR, and provide insights and recommendations to leadership
  Support company growth by scaling safety programs while maintaining consistency, practicality, and alignment with Runnings’ culture

Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Develop, implement, and maintain Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and Fire Prevention Plans (FPPs) where required for stores, DCs, and the Retail Support Center.
  Coordinate and document emergency training and drills/tabletop exercises (evacuation, severe weather, other foreseeable emergencies).

• Ensure EAPs include required elements: reporting emergencies, evacuation routes/assignments, employee accountability after evacuation, rescue/medical duties, and designated contacts.
  Partner with Operations/Facilities to ensure emergency alarms/notifications and site readiness processes are effective and maintained.

Onsite Support

• Frequent travel to all operating states, including air and road travel on a frequent basis, to perform audits, assist with compliance issues, training, safety committees, and team members, and to investigate to get to root cause

Essential Mental And Physical Requirements

• Maintain a high level of confidentiality and professionalism
• Significant air and street travel
• Able to work weekends and evenings when circumstances require it
• Able to solve complex problems
• Able to perform assigned duties under frequent time pressures in an interruptive environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Able to occasionally lift up to 20 lbs. during onsite inspections, trainings and investigations, walk, stand, sit, kneel, bend, and stoop on a regular basis

Pay & Benefits

Total Compensation Range: $90,000 - $115,000 (base plus bonus), based on experience and performance
Employee Discount: Save big on everything from apparel to tools to pet supplies
Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Multiple options
Paid Time Off: Vacation, Holidays, Sick Time
410(k): Generous Company Match

Training & Experience

• Five years of progressive safety experience in a retail and/or distribution centers or similar multi-site environments or equivalent education and/or experience
• Preferred: Professional certification (CSP, CHST) and OSHA 30; and multi-state experience