Safety Manager

Summary of position:

The Safety Manager (SM) is responsible for the implementation and communication of safety compliance initiatives at Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative.  The SM will help SMBSC reach its mission by providing safety leadership through (1) managing current safety programs, policies and procedures for agricultural operations and (2) improving SMBSC safety performance through communication, education and performance management with Job Safety Analyses.

Essential Functions:

Policy, Procedure and Program Implementation

• Assists to identify best practices and leads continuous improvement initiatives to reduce work process risks, raise safety awareness, and improve safe work practices
• Manages the Job Safety Analysis program, which includes: developing JSA program documentation and structure, identifying and prioritizing JSA completions based on organizational needs, collaborating with management and personnel to identify hazards and introduce risk management, training employees how to use program materials, and analyzing program progression and results

 Incident Investigation and Data Analysis

• Performs safety audits and inspects facilities, machinery, work conditions and safety equipment to identify and correct potential hazards and ensures safety regulation compliance
• Investigates accidents, near-miss incidents, and occupational injuries to determine causes and installs preventive measures

Training and Development

• Develops, conducts and coordinates worker training in safety laws and regulations as well as use of safety equipment, including new hire orientation (factory, receiving stations, and tare lab) as well as face-to-face safety trainings
• Provides technical advice, coaching, guidance and monitoring to employees on safety initiatives and necessary changes
• Addresses, investigates and follows up with employee safety concerns in a timely manner; communicates results of the findings and implements necessary changes when needed

 Leadership and Committee Involvement

• Facilitates a work environment that supports a safe and healthy culture
• Provides subject matter expertise on computer based training and the learning management system
• Manages the JSA program, assists with Code Blue training for Agricultural staff, and serves on the safety committee
• Coaches, develops and mentors safety team members including: providing resources to increase individual knowledge, conducting regular reviews evaluating employee performance, and working with employees to identify opportunities for improvement
• Recommends budgeting and allocation for safety programs

Core Competencies and Skill Requirements:

• Commitment to zero-lost time, 100% environmental compliance with uncompromised quality
  • Ability to work in a responsible, safe manner by adhering to SMBSC’s safety protocol
• Broad understanding of safety laws and regulations
  • Ability to evaluate information to determine compliance using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations and standards
  • Ability to keep up-to-date with changes to regulations and standards and applying the new knowledge at SMBSC
• Demonstrated analytical and critical thinking skills
  • Ability to gather information by observing, receiving and obtaining information from all relevant sources
  • Ability to inspect equipment, structures or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems and defects
• Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with internal and external audiences and maintain these relationships over time to advance the overall public image of SMBSC
  • Ability to document information in a logical, sequential manner which includes entering, transcribing, recording, storing and maintaining information
  • Ability to maintain high attention to detail
  • Ability to understand written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents; ability to interpret technical documents
  • Ability to communicate with a variety of audiences with diverse backgrounds
• Strong conflict management and resolution skills
  • Ability to maintain a high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations
• Commitment to safety
  • Ability to work in a responsible, safe manner by adhering to SMBSC’s safety and housekeeping protocol

 Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Health and Safety or related field
• Two years of experience in industrial manufacturing working with safety programs and/or serving a leadership role on a safety committee
• OSHA 10-hour certification; 30-hour certification preferred

First aid or emergency responder certification a plus