Director of Safety Central Services

Job-ID: 142Location: Cold Spring, KY, United StatesWorkplace: On-siteSchedule: Full timePosted: 2026-10-22This position reports to the VP of Safety Management and will serve as strategic leader responsible for the design, development, implementation, education, and administration of a comprehensive health and safety programs. This leader proactively directs the day-to-day operations of the Safety Central Services Team and provides safety program management to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations. In addition, this role leads strategic educational initiatives to champion program implementation and success. The position is both strategic and tactical in nature; leading a group of 5+ safety managers to develop, implement, and administer safety programs, policies, systems, and specialized services. As a member of our safety leadership team, this leader will be responsible for supporting and enabling a positive safety culture within our plants, docks, offices, and other areas we operate, and will effectively support our Regional Safety Support Team, Fleet Safety Director, and other operational and corporate stakeholders.Essential Duties/ResponsibilitiesNothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Enable a world class safety culture, process oriented, and compliance supporting environment through the exploration, development and implementation of effective and innovative solutions, programs, systems, tools, and educational materials. Develop and Manage the Safety Central Services Team, including: 1) Strategic development and mentoring of the Safety Central Services Team; Review of current processes and practices, department structure and skill sets; and driving continuous improvement in performance and services provided.Develop and implement safety and compliance management systems, processes, programs, policies, and procedures that align with current business practices.Monitor & interpret Federal, State and local regulations (DOT, OSHA, etc.), determine applicability to our operations.Manage the company's regulatory reporting function.Coordinate resource needs during regulatory audits (DOT, OSHA, etc.).Develop employee education, training, engagement, and performance management strategies to include: Create dashboards, analytics, and metrics for success. Develop safety curricula, certifications, training tracks, and/or learning paths to enhance employee competencies and qualifications, including on-boarding and regulatory training.Effectively sell the value proposition of safety programs and processes in the field. Developing efficient training strategies, leveraging technology (including learning management systems), to increase field engagement and meet regulatory compliance requirements.Support operations with standardized material and content development.Create communications and engagement strategies and materials. Oversee, lead and manage the process leaders and resources needed for the following specialized services: Process Safety Management (PSM's) and related plans and evaluations.Dust Hazard Analyses (DHA's) and related plans and evaluations.Industrial hygiene related services and support.Emergency action and response planning, training & coordination.Maintenance Safety Data Sheets (SDS).Lead and oversee key services, including: Data dashboards, scorecards, trend analyses, etc. Safety information systems management, and centralized recordkeeping to meet regulatory requirements.Communication strategies. Other duties as assigned.Minimum Qualifications7+ years of experience leading high functioning and action oriented teams, and a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety or related discipline, OR in lieu of degree, must have a minimum of 7+ years' Occupational Health and Safety specific leadership and people management experience.5+ years' experience in education, adult learning principles, content design, and organizational development. Experience administering and implementing learning management systems (LMS). Familiarity with and leveraging technology to support safety educational initiatives. Strong strategic thinker with the ability to drive long-term goals and objectives.Experience and expertise developing and implementing safety programs, safety management systems (ex. ISO 45001), safety information systems, RACI models, accountability processes, performance improvement, and standardize best practices.Must be self-motivated and capable of analyzing and solving complex problems through innovative thought and experience.Effective team member with experience in handling multiple projects/tasks and leading cross-functional teams with minimal guidance in a fast paced environment.Proven ability to build positive working relationships through collaboration in a heavily matrixed environment.Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, simplifying complex processes and concepts to a variety of audiences. Able to advise on courses of action with minimal assistance using both written and verbal methods .Limited travel, up to 20%.Preferred Qualifications Safety experience leading in a large multinational; global safety experience preferred. Licenses and certifications in Safety Management, Continuous Improvement, Organizational Development.Experience in Lean Manufacturing; proficiency in 5s a plus.Strong math skills, including statistical analysis. Working Conditions and Physical DemandsOccasionally exposed to varying temperatures, noise, odors, biohazardous conditions, chemicals, and electrical hazards.Occasionally requires travel to offsite locations.Frequently requires sitting and walking/moving about the work location.Occasionally requires use of office equipment, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing, and balancing.Must be able to communicate effectively and use senses to identify potential hazards.Occasionally requires lifting and/or moving up to 25lbs.Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety or a related field. 5+ years of experience in safety management, with a proven track record of leading teams. Strong knowledge of health and safety regulations and best practices. Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders. Analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Proficiency in safety management software and data analysis tools. Strong organizational and project management skills. Willingness to travel as required for safety audits and support. A passion for promoting a culture of safety and continuous improvement.Responsibilities Lead the Safety Central Services Team, directing daily operations and strategic initiatives. Design, develop, and implement health and safety programs across the organization. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local safety regulations. Educate and train employees on safety protocols and best practices. Manage and administer safety programs, policies, and systems. Support the Regional Safety Support Team and collaborate with the Fleet Safety Director. Foster a positive safety culture and promote a safe work environment. Lead educational initiatives to enhance safety awareness and implementation. Stay updated with industry trends and best practices in safety management. Provide strategic guidance and support to operational teams and corporate stakeholders.About the organizationDarling Ingredients is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military service, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state and local law. Know Your Rights: If you would like more information, please click on the link and paste into your browser: of this job.About the companyWe’re one of the world’s leading practitioners of circularity, transforming materials from the animal agriculture and food industries into valuable ingredients. Ingredients that nourish people, feed animals and crops, and fuel the world with renewable energy.