Safety Manager

SUMMARY:

The Safety Manager is one of the designated safety authorities responsible for day-to-day administration overseeing and coordinating Whitsons’ workplace safety programs across two Culinary Centers, two Distribution locations, Corporate Offices and over 1300 kitchens and/or cafeterias where we provide food services on-site at client locations (On-Site Locations).  This role serves as an operational safety authority for assigned locations, ensuring compliance with OSHA and company standards while driving a proactive, prevention-focused safety culture. This position also plays a critical employee-facing role, providing outreach and support to injured team members, ensuring appropriate care, clear communication, and timely return-to-work whenever possible.

The Safety Manager functions as a highly autonomous, field-facing leader who conducts inspections, investigates incidents, and manages safety initiatives. While this role has no direct reports, it exercises significant influence and leadership across all On-site services, Culinary services and Corporate operations.  This role will also serve as a back-up to the Workers Compensation Specialist, whose role serves as the primary liaison between the company and our Third-Party Administrator (TPA) in overseeing workers’ compensation claims and administration.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Safety Program Oversight

• Oversee the implementation, execution, and continuous improvement of Whitsons’ safety programs across Culinary Centers, Distribution Depots, On-Site Locations, and Corporate Offices.
• Drive consistent adoption of safety policies, procedures, and best practices across all supported sites.
• Monitor safety performance metrics and identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Manage and support all Safety Programs across the organization.
• Provide guidance, communication, training support, and accountability to safety representatives.
• Serve as the escalation point for safety issues, compliance gaps, and high-risk incidents.
• Serve as the primary liaison for the Nurse Triage Program and ReEmployability Program.

Inspections, Audits & Compliance

• Conduct routine and ad-hoc safety inspections and compliance audits at Culinary Centers, Distribution Depots, On-Site Locations, and other company locations.
• Identify hazards, document deficiencies, write site-visit report with safety-improvement recommendations, and work with site leadership to implement timely corrective actions.
• Partner with Fleet Management to review driver logs, pre-trip and post-trip inspections, and fleet safety compliance.

Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis

• Respond to workplace injuries, accidents, and near-miss events in a timely and professional manner.
• Lead incident investigations to determine root causes and contributing factors.
• Prepare formal written investigation reports and submit them to the Director of Safety and relevant leadership.
• Partner with site leadership to develop, implement, and track corrective and preventive actions.

Training & Safety Engagement

• Manage and coordinate safety training, and toolbox talks across facilities and On-Site Locations.
• Facilitate Safety Committee meetings and safety engagement activities.
• Ensure all required safety postings, emergency information, and regulatory notices are current and properly displayed.

Reporting, Documentation & Data Management

• Maintain accurate OSHA logs, injury records, training documentation, and audit reports.
• Track incident trends, corrective action status, and training completion.
• Prepare safety summaries, metrics, and reports for leadership and regulatory needs.

Continuous Improvement & Risk Reduction

• Proactively identify opportunities to reduce injuries, fleet incidents, and operational risk.
• Stay current on OSHA regulations, foodservice and logistics safety standards, and industry best practices.
• Support special projects, audits, and company-wide safety initiatives as assigned.

Claims Management & Administration

• Serve as back-up to the Workers Compensation Specialist who is the primary point of contact with the Third-Party Administrator (TPA) for workers’ compensation claims and administration.

Special Projects

• Adapt to evolving organizational priorities by taking on special assignments and interim responsibilities as requested.
• Participate in system upgrades or reporting enhancements related to safety, workers’ compensation, and risk management.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

This role offers a salary range of $90,000– $110,000 annually, based on skills, experience, and location. Employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, generous PTO, and paid holidays.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Associate degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health, or a related field required, bachelor’s degree preferred.
• OSHA 10-Hour or 30-Hour General Industry certification required (or ability to obtain within 6 months).

EXPERIENCE, OTHER QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in workplace safety, risk management, or EHS.
• Experience supporting multiple locations or field-based operations required.
• Demonstrated experience conducting inspections, investigations, and safety training.
• Familiarity with OSHA, fleet safety, workers’ compensation, and food production/distribution environments.

Other Qualifications

• Strong communication and influencing skills across operational and field environments.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and operate in a fast-paced, geographically dispersed organization.
• Strong analytical, documentation, and follow-up discipline.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate compassionately with injured employees.
• Ability to manage sensitive, confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and safety reporting systems.
• Ability to travel regularly between facilities and On-Site Locations (approximately 30%).

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Safety & Risk Management
• Regulatory Compliance
• Root Cause Analysis
• Operational Partnership
• Training & Coaching
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Continuous Improvement
• Accountability & Follow-Through
• Communication & Influence

Computer Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Experience with claims management systems and reporting platforms preferred.