Safety Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Scope of Position

Our client is seeking an experienced Safety Manager to lead and continuously improve the organization's environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs within a complex manufacturing and industrial operations environment. This leadership role is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining world-class safety initiatives that protect employees, ensure regulatory compliance, and support operational excellence.

Reporting to senior leadership, the Safety Manager will lead a team of safety professionals while partnering closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, facilities, and production leaders to foster a proactive safety culture. This individual will drive continuous improvement through risk reduction, employee engagement, incident prevention, regulatory compliance, and strategic safety initiatives that support safe and efficient operations.

Responsibilities

Safety Leadership & Culture

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Safety Specialists, Safety Technicians, Competent Persons, and support personnel.
• Champion a culture where safety is integrated into every aspect of daily operations.
• Build collaborative partnerships with operations, engineering, maintenance, facilities, and leadership teams to promote shared ownership of workplace safety.
• Coach leaders and employees on safe work practices, hazard recognition, and accountability.
• Promote employee engagement through safety committees, observations, recognition programs, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable OSHA regulations, federal, state, and local safety requirements, customer standards, and company policies.
• Maintain compliance with applicable industry standards and best practices.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve safety programs, policies, procedures, and work instructions.
• Monitor regulatory changes and implement program updates as required.
• Maintain documentation required for regulatory inspections and audits.

Risk Management & Hazard Prevention

• Lead comprehensive hazard identification, job hazard analysis (JHA), and risk assessment activities throughout the facility.
• Ensure effective implementation of engineering controls, administrative controls, and safe work practices.
• Conduct regular safety inspections and audits while ensuring corrective actions are completed promptly.
• Analyze injury trends, near misses, behavioral observations, and leading indicators to identify opportunities for risk reduction.
• Lead proactive initiatives that eliminate hazards and improve workplace safety performance.

Incident Investigation & Corrective Action

• Direct investigations involving workplace injuries, property damage, environmental events, and near misses.
• Train supervisors and safety personnel in incident investigation techniques and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Identify corrective and preventive actions that reduce future risk.
• Monitor completion and effectiveness of corrective actions.

Training & Employee Development

• Develop, coordinate, and oversee safety orientation and ongoing employee safety training programs.
• Ensure employees receive training appropriate for their job responsibilities and regulatory requirements.
• Provide coaching and technical guidance to supervisors regarding safe work practices and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain training records and regulatory documentation.

Safety Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain and improve safety management systems aligned with industry best practices.
• Support external certification programs including ISO 45001 and other recognized safety management systems.
• Develop and monitor leading and lagging safety metrics, dashboards, and performance indicators.
• Present safety performance, trends, and improvement initiatives to executive leadership.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational safety and employee wellbeing.

Operational Support

• Partner with project and production teams to ensure safe execution of maintenance, manufacturing, construction, and operational activities.
• Provide technical safety guidance during planning, startup, and execution of projects.
• Participate in contractor safety management and compliance activities.
• Assist with emergency response planning and preparedness activities.

Budget & Program Administration

• Develop and manage departmental budgets.
• Monitor expenditures and resource allocation.
• Support capital improvement projects related to safety enhancements.
• Participate in industry organizations and maintain awareness of emerging safety practices and technologies.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Eight (8)+ years of progressive environmental, health, and safety leadership experience within manufacturing, industrial, construction, shipyard, or heavy industrial environments.
• Thorough knowledge of OSHA regulations and occupational safety standards.
• Experience conducting incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
• Strong knowledge of hazard identification, risk assessment, and industrial safety principles.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing safety professionals and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience managing departmental budgets and performance metrics.

Preferred

• Experience within shipbuilding, ship repair, maritime, defense, aerospace, manufacturing, or heavy industrial operations.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification or actively pursuing certification.
• Knowledge of NAVSEA standards and maritime safety regulations.
• Current First Aid, CPR, OSHA 30-Hour, or related safety certifications.
• Working knowledge of OSHA 29 CFR Part 1915 Maritime standards.
• Experience supporting OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and ISO 45001 management systems.
• Familiarity with industrial hygiene principles and exposure assessment.
• Experience utilizing root cause analysis software and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of Serious Injury and Fatality (SIF) prevention strategies and behavioral safety programs.