Manager of Combustible Dust Safety Management, Environmental, Health and Safety

Perdue Foods has a goal of becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins by creating products for consumers and for retail and foodservice customers around the globe while changing the way animals are raised for food. It is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we’re committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

 

Summary

Lead critical safety initiatives that protect people, operations, and facilities across the region. As a Regional Manager of Combustible Dust Safety Management, you will serve as a regional subject matter expert, leading combustible dust safety programs and driving consistent execution across multiple facilities. You will partner closely with operations, engineering, maintenance, and Environmental, Health and Safety leaders to identify and resolve complex hazards, strengthen controls, and prioritize corrective actions and capital improvements. This role is ideal for a strategic safety leader with expertise in NFPA 660 and explosion prevention who excels at solving complex challenges, influencing cross-functional teams, and leading large-scale initiatives that strengthen safety, compliance, and business continuity.

This position is remote; however, preference may be given to candidates located on the East Coast.

 

The salary range for this position is $114,000 - $170,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications with annual bonus available (variable depending on performance).

In addition to the base salary, Perdue offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/Rx, 401(k) with employer match after 1 year, critical illness, accident insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, optional group life insurance, short-term and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts and paid time off.

 

Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage implementation of process safety management principles applicable to combustible dust hazards across assigned regional facilities.

• Manage mechanical integrity programs for critical combustible dust protection systems.
• Implement and monitor corporate inspection, testing, and maintenance standards across assigned regional facilities for critical combustible dust protection systems, including dust collectors, rotary valves, isolation devices, and explosion venting and suppression systems.
• Serve as the regional subject matter expert for NFPA 660, directing gap assessments, testing, and hazard mitigation across assigned facilities.
• Ensure effectiveness verification through audits and field assessments.
• Interface with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), insurance providers, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors during facility audits.

• Serve as the primary regional technical resource for combustible dust safety, explosion prevention and protection, and combustible particulate solids management.
• Leverage external expertise to benchmark company programs against industry-leading practices and emerging regulatory expectations.
• Administer established technical standards and approved risk-mitigation strategies across assigned facilities while providing technical guidance on NFPA 660 integration and implementation.
• Lead regional Management of Change (MOC) reviews and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs) for modifications to dust-handling equipment, escalating proposed exceptions to corporate standards or regulatory requirements.
• Support applicable maintenance reliability and planning as it relates to equipment testing and regulatory compliance.
• Manage regional execution of the corporate combustible dust management system across assigned facilities, aligning initiatives with business objectives and reducing high-hazard combustible dust exposures and environmental impacts.
• Lead regional implementation of established governance requirements, policies, and technical standards.
• Monitor consistent execution and recommend improvements based on operating experience, audit findings, and emerging requirements.
• Develop and manage a regional combustible dust safety plan that prioritizes facility assessments, Dust Hazard Analysis revalidations, corrective actions, training, and mitigation based on regulatory risk, operational exposure, and business impact.
• Partner with engineering and operations to develop and execute a risk-prioritized regional NFPA 660 and combustible dust safety capital improvement roadmap.
• Lead sizable, multi-site combustible dust initiatives from assessment through implementation, coordinating technical scope, stakeholders, schedules, resources, and risk-based priorities.
• Advise regional and facility operations, engineering, maintenance, and Environmental, Health and Safety leaders on complex combustible dust matters and influence corrective-action priorities through technical analysis, risk assessment, and evaluation of business impact.
• Serve as a trainer, mentor, and technical advisor to site Environmental, Health and Safety engineering, maintenance, and operations personnel across the assigned region.
• Ensure effective incident prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery protocols.
• Independently evaluate complex and non-routine combustible dust hazards across diverse facility types and recommend customized engineering, operational, and administrative controls based on NFPA requirements, risk severity, feasibility, and operational impact.
• Lead complex regional investigations and root cause analyses for incidents and near misses, including matters for which established approaches may not fully address site-specific equipment, materials, processes, or operating conditions.
• Manage regional corrective and preventive action plans, track high-risk and overdue items, and escalate matters requiring risk acceptance, significant capital investment, or exceptions to established standards.
• Track and analyze leading and lagging indicators to drive continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement NFPA 660, Combustible Dust Safety, and other Environmental, Health and Safety training programs tailored to the operational environment.
• Deliver multi-tiered foundational and advanced training programs for live operations, production, and maintenance staff.
• Promote a strong safety and environmental compliance culture through engagement, communication, and leadership visibility.
• Track and document all compliance metrics, including emergency response, inspection records, and housekeeping plans.
• Manage environmental combustible dust compliance as directed by the Perdue Environmental Department.

 

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering. A Bachelor’s degree in Environmental, Health and Safety is acceptable if the candidate possesses advanced-level combustible dust and NFPA knowledge.
• Minimum 8+ years of progressive process safety, engineering, or Environmental, Health and Safety experience, including responsibility for complex combustible dust programs, multi-site assessments, and implementation of NFPA-based risk controls.
• Demonstrated project management experience leading sizable, multi-site NFPA 660 combustible dust initiatives from assessment through implementation.
• Advanced-level proficiency in the consolidated NFPA 660 standard and previous standards (NFPA 61, 484, 652, 654, and 664).
• Experience supporting real-time production or high-risk dust or grain environments, such as manufacturing, energy, agricultural processing, or related operations.
• Proven history supporting environmental and/or safety programs of scale.
• Strong experience with regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA, NFPA).

 

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering.
• Certified Dust Safety Professional (CDSP™) or Certified DHA Leader (CDHA), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH).

 

Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors

• Require regular travel across the assigned region to feed mills, production facilities, agricultural grain procurement locations, and crush sites, as well as the ability to access upper levels of feed mills and work on elevated surfaces.
• Work in active feed mill environments (may include outdoor or industrial settings).
• Respond to incidents outside of normal working hours as needed.

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Perdue Farms Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.