Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Manager – Safety

💰 $110,000 - $145,000

Health & SafetyManagementOperationsComplianceManufacturing

🎯 Role Definition

We are actively searching for a dynamic and proactive Safety Manager to join our leadership team. In this pivotal role, you will be the champion of our safety culture, responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing all environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs across our facilities. You will serve as the primary subject matter expert on safety regulations and best practices, working collaboratively with site leadership, frontline employees, and corporate stakeholders to mitigate risks and prevent incidents. Your mission is to create a secure, healthy, and compliant work environment where every team member feels empowered to prioritize safety, ultimately driving our business forward responsibly.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior EHS Specialist / Coordinator
  • Safety Supervisor
  • Environmental Compliance Specialist

Advancement To:

  • Director of Health & Safety
  • Regional EHS Manager
  • Senior Manager, Corporate Safety & Risk

Lateral Moves:

  • Manager, Operational Excellence
  • Corporate Compliance Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve comprehensive EHS management systems, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA).
  • Lead and manage a robust incident investigation process, including root cause analysis (RCA), to identify underlying causes and implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
  • Champion and cultivate a proactive, positive safety culture through visible leadership, employee engagement programs, and consistent communication across all levels of the organization.
  • Design, coordinate, and deliver engaging and effective safety training programs for new hires, existing employees, and management on topics such as hazard communication, lockout/tagout, and emergency response.
  • Conduct regular, thorough safety audits, risk assessments, and site inspections to identify potential hazards, unsafe conditions, and behaviors, and partner with operational teams to ensure timely abatement.
  • Manage and analyze EHS data and metrics, preparing detailed reports and dashboards for senior leadership to track performance, identify trends, and inform strategic decision-making.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies (e.g., OSHA, EPA), managing inspections, responding to inquiries, and ensuring all required reporting is completed accurately and on time.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and lead emergency response drills and training to ensure preparedness for various crisis scenarios.
  • Oversee the industrial hygiene program, including monitoring for chemical, physical, and biological hazards, and implementing controls to protect employee health.
  • Manage the workers' compensation claims process in partnership with Human Resources, focusing on proactive case management and facilitating a safe and timely return-to-work program.
  • Provide expert guidance and technical support to engineering and maintenance teams on machine guarding, ergonomics, and other safety-by-design principles for new equipment and process changes.
  • Lead and mentor a team of safety professionals or site safety committee members, providing clear direction, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities.
  • Manage the budget for the safety department, including forecasting expenses for personal protective equipment (PPE), training materials, and third-party consulting services.
  • Establish and oversee contractor safety management programs to ensure that third-party vendors and contractors adhere to all company and regulatory safety standards while on-site.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of safety programs and initiatives through key performance indicators (KPIs) and make data-driven adjustments to enhance performance and reduce risk.
  • Facilitate Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) and Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) for new and existing operations to proactively identify and control risks before they lead to incidents.
  • Drive ergonomic improvements by conducting assessments of workstations and tasks, and recommending modifications to equipment, processes, and work practices to reduce musculoskeletal disorders.
  • Manage the facility's environmental compliance programs, including waste management, air permits, and water discharge, ensuring adherence to all applicable environmental regulations.
  • Stay current with advancements in safety technology, industry best practices, and changes in legislation, and integrate them into the company's EHS strategy.
  • Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with operational leaders to integrate safety seamlessly into daily activities and drive a sense of shared ownership for EHS performance.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the development and implementation of corporate sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives.
  • Collaborate with the facilities and security teams to develop and align integrated site security protocols and emergency procedures.
  • Participate in capital project planning and review meetings to ensure safety, health, and environmental considerations are incorporated from the design phase.
  • Contribute to cross-functional continuous improvement projects, applying safety principles to enhance overall operational efficiency and quality.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Regulatory Compliance Mastery (OSHA/EPA): Deep, expert-level knowledge of federal, state, and local safety and environmental regulations, with a proven ability to interpret and apply them in a practical manufacturing or industrial setting.
  • EHS Management Systems (ISO 45001/14001): Verifiable experience in developing, implementing, and auditing formal EHS management systems, preferably aligned with international standards like ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Proficiency in various RCA methodologies (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone, FMEA) to lead thorough incident investigations that move beyond immediate causes to systemic solutions.
  • Risk Assessment & Hazard Analysis: Skilled in conducting comprehensive risk assessments, Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), and Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) to proactively identify and mitigate workplace risks.
  • Industrial Hygiene Fundamentals: Solid understanding of industrial hygiene principles, including experience with exposure monitoring for noise, air contaminants, and other chemical/physical hazards.
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret safety metrics (e.g., TRIR, DART, leading indicators) to identify trends and communicate performance effectively to executive leadership.

Soft Skills

  • Influential Leadership: The ability to inspire change and foster a strong safety culture without direct authority over operational teams, earning trust and respect at all levels of the organization.
  • Exceptional Communication: Superior verbal and written communication skills, capable of delivering compelling training, writing clear policies, and presenting complex information effectively to diverse audiences, from the shop floor to the boardroom.
  • Strategic Problem-Solving: A proactive and analytical mindset with the ability to anticipate future safety challenges, diagnose complex problems, and develop innovative, sustainable solutions.
  • Collaboration & Relationship Building: A natural ability to build and maintain strong, positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, union representatives, and senior management.
  • Resilience & Composure: The capacity to remain calm, decisive, and effective under pressure, particularly during emergency situations and regulatory inspections.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, or a related technical field.
  • Professional certification such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or similar.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Occupational Health & Safety
  • Environmental Science
  • Engineering (Industrial, Chemical, Mechanical)
  • Business Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • A minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in an Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) role, with at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial capacity.

Preferred:

  • Experience within a fast-paced manufacturing, construction, logistics, or heavy industrial environment is highly preferred.
  • Proven track record of successfully leading cultural transformation and significantly improving safety metrics (e.g., reducing TRIR).
  • Experience managing EHS programs across multiple sites or facilities.
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