Area Safety Manager

Job Description

Job Description

The Area Safety Manager serves as the senior safety leader for the organization, partnering closely with the Area President, operational leadership, and Corporate Safety to create an environment where every employee returns home safely each day. This role is responsible for shaping and executing the area's safety strategy while building a culture rooted in accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement. Through visible leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to operational excellence, the Area Safety Manager drives safety performance across all lines of business while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and company standards.

The Area Safety Manager leads a team of Regional Safety Managers, Regional Training Supervisors, and Safety Supervisors to ensure consistent implementation of enterprise safety programs while partnering closely with Operation Leadership to achieve exceptional safety performance.

Rumpke is a family-owned and operated company that ranks as one of the largest firms in the waste and recycling industry. Our mission is simple: to deliver exceptional waste and recycling solutions to our customers and communities through a commitment to safety, service, the environment and the growth of our people.

When you join Rumpke, you’ll be part of a team providing essential services to millions of residents, businesses, and neighborhoods. You will enjoy competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision, matching 401(k), life insurance, paid vacation, and more.

This is your opportunity to make a difference for you and your family. Come join our team!

Responsibilities of Position:

Strategic Safety Leadership

• Develops and implements a comprehensive safety strategy that aligns with the organization's overall business objectives, establishing annual safety goals, performance metrics, and key initiatives that advance the company's commitment to world-class safety performance
• Inspires and builds a proactive safety culture where employees at every level take ownership of safety that is seen through engagement, behaviors, and open communication
• Leads organizational change that strengthens safety performance while supporting operational excellence

Leadership and Organizational Development

• Provides leadership and strategic direction to Regional Safety Managers, training personnel and supervisors across all operating districts to build a high-performing team, requiring a strong focus on recruiting, coaching, mentoring, succession planning, performance management, and leadership development
• Develops future safety professionals by creating opportunities for growth, fostering accountability, and strengthening organizational capability through workforce planning, talent reviews, and ongoing career development

Operational Safety Excellence

• Ensures consistent execution of safety programs across all lines of business and contractor-managed reflecting the our commitment to operational consistency and continuous improvement
• Leads safety training and workforce development by overseeing safety training programs and partnering with regional training to ensure consistent delivery of new hire orientation, CDL/ELDT, leadership, equipment, OSHA, and emergency response training
• Manages safety resources and budgets to support compliance, employee well-being, and operational success through strategic investment in staffing, training, PPE, safety technology, and continuous improvement initiatives

Risk Management and Incident Prevention

• Drives serious injury and fatality prevention by partnering with Corporate Safety to implement safety strategies, conduct risk assessments, analyze safety trends, and proactively identify operational risks after incidents occur
• Leads incident investigations and continuous improvement by ensuring thorough root cause analyses, implementing corrective actions, sharing lessons learned, and using leading and lagging safety indicators to strengthen overall safety performance and reduce organizational risk
• Analyzes safety performance metrics to identify trends, reduce risk, and partner with operations to implement action plans that improve safety and business results
• Monitors and analyzes safety performance by tracking key metrics, including TRIR, lost time incidents, vehicle accidents, DOT preventable accidents, workers' compensation costs, near-miss reporting, safety observations, audit results, corrective action completion, and training compliance
• Ensures governance and compliance by overseeing Safety Excellence Reviews (SERs), inspections, ride-alongs, audits, etc.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• This position will manage 1-5 employees
• This position will oversee and direct other managers

Skills & Abilities Needed for Position:

• Ability to inspire trust, build strong partnerships, and create lasting organizational change
• Must have a strong background in dealing with people under difficult circumstances
• Must be equally comfortable in the boardroom and the field, using data to drive decisions while remaining highly visible and engaged with frontline employees
• Excellent computer skills in a network environment; proficient in Windows and Microsoft applications proven track record of successful project and personnel management as well as leading teams to meet/exceed goals
• Must possess strong planning/organizational and time management skills
• Demonstrated problem solving, analytical, critical thinking and decision-making skills
• Process and results oriented with a commitment to organizational success

Experience & Knowledge Needed for Position:

• 10 plus years of experience in a safety management position
• Must have at least five (5) years experience in keeping detailed and accurate records in a safety environment
• Must have at least five (5) years experience in reading & interpreting federal, state, and local safety regulations
• Documented experience in speaking to a group and conducting training sessions, two (2) years experience preferred
• Bachelor’s Degree in Safety Management, Occupational Safety, or other related field or equivalent experience

Physical Requirements in a Regular Workday:

• Occasionally lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling a max of 35 lbs
• Rarely lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling a max of 50 lbs
• Continuously working inside
• Frequently working outside in changing temperatures, wet/humid conditions
• Frequently working in areas of dust, odors, mist, gases, and other airborne matter
• Rarely stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling
• Rarely climbing and/or balancing
• Continuously sitting/standing/walking

Additional Working Conditions/Aspects:

• Possible exposure to high traffic conditions and/or tight driving areas
• Exposure to residential and commercial waste
• Ability to travel between offices, as required
• Ability to work flexible hours; expected to work nights and weekends as needed
• Ability to work overtime, weekends, and/or holidays
• Must be available for 24-hour emergency calls
• Legally eligible to work in the United States
• Valid driver’s license (if applicable)
• Must successfully complete pre-employment testing
• Must be able to read and speak the English language

This job description is intended to describe the general nature, complexity, and level of work to be performed by employees assigned to this position and is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. It does not prescribe or restrict the work that may be assigned. Furthermore, this does not establish an employment contract and is subject to change at the discretion of the company.

Rumpke Waste and Recycling is committed to equality in all aspects of employment. It is Rumpke’s policy to provide equal opportunities to all employees and potential employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.