Director of Safety / Compliance

Job Description

Job Description

Director of Safety and Social Compliance

IL - Elgin, IL 60120

Salary Range

$140,000.00 - $150,000.00 Salary/year

Position Type

Full Time

Primary Purpose: The Director of Safety and Social Compliance is responsible for leading and integrating enterprise-wide safety, food manufacturing workplace compliance, and social responsibility programs across a multi-site U.S. footprint. This role drives a strong safety culture, ensures compliance with applicable health and safety regulations, and oversees social compliance programs aligned with SMETA-like ethical audit standards. The Director partners closely with Operations, HR, Quality, and Supply Chain to reduce risk, improve working conditions, and ensure safe, ethical, and compliant operations across all manufacturing locations.

Responsibilities:

Safety Leadership & Manufacturing Risk Management

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the company's safety strategy across multiple food manufacturing facilities.

• Establish and maintain a consistent Safety Management System, including hazard identification, risk assessments, inspections, training, incident management, and leadership engagement routines.

• Oversee high-risk manufacturing safety programs including machine guarding, LOTO, confined space, ergonomics, chemical handling, contractor safety, and emergency response.

• Partner with site leadership to embed safety accountability into daily operations and performance expectations.

• Own and manage the company's social compliance program, aligned with SMETA-like audit standards and customer codes of conduct.

• Lead internal and third-party social compliance audits covering labor practices, working hours, wages, health and safety, harassment prevention, freedom of association, and grievance mechanisms.

• Partner with HR and Operations to ensure compliant employment practices across all sites, including temporary labor and staffing partners.

• Develop, track, and verify corrective action plans (CAPs) to closure; analyze audit trends and address systemic issues.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local safety regulations applicable to food manufacturing operations.

• Maintain readiness for regulatory inspections, customer audits, and third-party safety or social compliance assessments.

• Oversee incident reporting, investigations, recordkeeping, and required regulatory submissions.

• Serve as a key liaison with regulatory agencies, auditors, and customers as needed.

Incident Prevention, Investigation & Continuous Improvement

• Drive reductions in recordable incidents, lost-time injuries, and high-severity exposure risks across all sites.

• Standardize incident and near-miss investigation processes, ensuring effective root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions.

• Use leading and lagging safety indicators to identify trends, prioritize risk, and guide continuous improvement initiatives.

• Champion proactive programs that strengthen prevention, employee engagement, and operational discipline.

Training, Culture & Employee Engagement

• Develop and deploy role-based safety and compliance training for leaders, employees, and contractors.

• Partner with HR to reinforce a culture of respect, accountability, and ethical conduct, ensuring employees feel safe to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.

• Support safety committees, communication forums, and site engagement initiatives across all locations.

Leadership, Governance & Reporting

• Provide clear, executive-level reporting on safety performance, audit outcomes, corrective action status, and enterprise risk exposure.

• Build strong cross-functional governance with HR, Operations, Quality, Legal, and Supply Chain.

• Lead, develop, and coach site-level safety and compliance professionals; establish consistent expectations and operating rhythm.

• Manage external consultants, auditors, and program budgets as applicable.

Education, Qualities and Skills Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, Environmental Health, Human Resources, or a related field (or equitural and artificial sources to ensure sufficient illumination

• Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time salaried position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday. Expectations of 45 hours per week, to be worked during normal business hours. Ability to travel up to 40%, including occasional early mornings, evenings, or off-shift support.valent experience).

• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in safety and/or social compliance within manufacturing, preferably food or consumer goods.

• Demonstrated experience supporting multi-site operations across multiple states.

• Hands-on experience with OSHA, SMETA or SMETA-like social compliance audits, including corrective action governance.

• Strong working knowledge of U.S. safety regulations and ethical labor standards.

• Proven ability to influence and partner with senior leaders and plant management teams.

• Experience supporting customer-driven audits and retailer or brand codes of conduct.

• Familiarity with EHS management systems, audit platforms, and learning management systems.

• Experience managing both direct-hire and temporary labor compliance.

Supervisory Responsibility:

No direct supervision required.

Work Environment:

Typical office working environment which includes a workstation equipped with a computer and other office supplies necessary for daily tasks. Typically climate-controlled to provide a comfortable working temperature year-round.

Physical Requirements:

Regular presence in food manufacturing facilities, including walking production floors, climbing stairs, and wearing required PPE.

1. Sitting: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk or workstation.

2. Typing: Frequent use of hands to type on a keyboard and operate a computer mouse.

3. Visual Requirements: Extended periods of viewing a computer screen and reading printed or digital documents.

4. Mobility: Occasional walking or standing, including moving between different areas of the office.

5. Manual Dexterity: The ability to handle office equipment, such as phones, printers, and copiers, and to file documents.

6. Communication: Clear verbal and written communication skills for interacting with colleagues, clients, and vendors.

7. Lifting: Occasionally lifting and carrying light objects, typically up to 20 pounds, such as files, documents, or office supplies.

8. Reaching and Bending: Reaching above shoulder height and bending to access files and office supplies.

9. Hearing: Adequate hearing ability to participate in meetings and teleconferences.

These requirements ensure that employees can perform their duties effectively and safely within an office setting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Compensation and Benefits:

The budgeted salary range for this position is $140,000-$150,000, with a 20% annual bonus potential.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) plan with 4.5% employer contribution

• Paid time off and holidays

• Professional development opportunities

• Employee wellness programs