Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Safety Manager

💰 $85,000 - $135,000

Health & SafetyManagementOperationsCompliance

🎯 Role Definition

The Safety Manager is a critical leadership role responsible for developing, implementing, and championing the organization's comprehensive environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs. This individual acts as a strategic partner to operational leaders, driving a proactive safety-first culture, ensuring unwavering compliance with all regulatory standards, and minimizing organizational risk. The ultimate goal is to create a secure and healthy work environment where every employee feels empowered and protected, leading to improved morale, productivity, and operational excellence.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • EHS Specialist
  • Safety Coordinator
  • Industrial Hygienist

Advancement To:

  • Regional Safety Director
  • Director of Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS)
  • Vice President of Operations or Safety

Lateral Moves:

  • Risk Manager
  • Compliance Manager
  • Quality Assurance Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve comprehensive health and safety policies, procedures, and programs in alignment with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
  • Lead thorough investigations of all incidents, accidents, and near-misses, utilizing root cause analysis methodologies to identify systemic issues and develop effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
  • Ensure and document full compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, including but not limited to OSHA, EPA, and DOT standards.
  • Conduct and oversee routine and non-routine site inspections, audits, and risk assessments to proactively identify potential hazards and non-compliance issues.
  • Design, deliver, and manage a robust safety training curriculum for all levels of the organization, including new hire orientation, annual refreshers, and specialized job-specific training.
  • Champion and cultivate a world-class safety culture through visible leadership, employee engagement, and behavior-based safety initiatives.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison for all regulatory agencies, managing official visits, inspections, and formal responses.
  • Lead and facilitate the site safety committee, empowering members to actively participate in the continuous improvement of the safety program.
  • Develop, track, and analyze key safety performance indicators (KPIs) such as Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) and Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) to measure program effectiveness and report findings to senior management.
  • Create, maintain, and test comprehensive emergency response and crisis management plans, including evacuation drills, fire prevention, and first aid protocols.
  • Manage the organization’s hazardous materials program, including identification, proper handling, storage, disposal, and employee communication (HazCom).
  • Oversee the selection, implementation, and maintenance of all personal protective equipment (PPE), ensuring its proper use and effectiveness.
  • Provide expert guidance and strategic advice to senior leadership and department managers on all matters related to occupational health and safety.
  • Review and approve new equipment, facility modifications, and process changes from a safety and ergonomic perspective to ensure risks are engineered out.
  • Maintain meticulous and audit-ready records of all safety-related activities, including training, inspections, incident reports, and compliance documentation.
  • Develop and manage the departmental safety budget, forecasting needs and ensuring fiscal responsibility in safety-related expenditures.
  • Collaborate with Human Resources on the administration of the workers' compensation program, focusing on effective case management and proactive return-to-work strategies.
  • Evaluate and manage third-party contractors' safety programs and performance to ensure they meet or exceed company standards while on-site.
  • Stay current on emerging industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices in the EHS field to ensure the organization's programs remain best-in-class.
  • Drive ergonomic initiatives by conducting assessments and recommending improvements to workstations and processes to reduce musculoskeletal injuries.

Secondary Functions

  • Manage the procurement, inventory, and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety-related supplies.
  • Assist the Human Resources department with the management of workers' compensation claims and the facilitation of return-to-work programs.
  • Participate in facility design and capital project reviews to ensure safety-by-design principles are incorporated from the conceptual stage.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate operational needs into actionable safety requirements and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • In-depth knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and other relevant local, state, and federal safety regulations.
  • Proficiency in conducting risk assessments, job hazard analyses (JHAs), and comprehensive safety audits.
  • Proven experience with formal incident investigation techniques and root cause analysis (RCA) methodologies (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone).
  • Competency in developing and delivering engaging and effective safety training programs for diverse audiences.
  • Strong familiarity with Safety Management Systems (SMS) and voluntary standards such as ISO 45001.
  • Practical knowledge of industrial hygiene principles, ergonomics, machine guarding, and hazardous materials management (HazCom/GHS).
  • Professional certifications such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) are highly desirable.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional leadership and influencing skills to champion a positive safety culture across all levels of the organization without direct authority.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication abilities, with the capacity to clearly and confidently articulate complex safety concepts to both shop-floor employees and executive leaders.
  • Superior analytical and problem-solving skills to accurately identify risks and develop practical, effective, and business-friendly solutions.
  • Meticulous attention to detail and organizational skills for maintaining accurate, complete, and audit-proof records and documentation.
  • Decisiveness and the ability to remain calm and provide clear direction during high-pressure emergency situations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Environmental Science
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Business Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 5-10 years of progressive experience in an EHS, occupational safety, or a directly related role.

Preferred:

  • At least 3+ years of experience in a safety leadership or management capacity.
  • Experience within a relevant industry (e.g., manufacturing, construction, logistics, pharmaceuticals) is strongly preferred.
Explore More Careers