Safety Manager

Job Summary:The Safety Manager is responsible for the strategic design, governance, and continuous improvement of the Company's safety program across all locations. This role serves as the architect and steward of the safety management system, ensuring safety initiatives are aligned with business objectives, regulatory requirements, sustainability objectives, and operational realities.The Safety Manager partners closely with executive leadership, operations, and site management to build a strong, sustainable safety culture, drive accountability, reduce risk through proactive data-driven strategies, and enhance the organization's overall environmental and sustainability performance.Location: Dalton, GAEmployment Type: Full-time OnsiteJob Duties/Responsibilities: Safety Program Strategy & GovernanceDesign, lead, and continuously evolve a company-wide safety management program, including policies, standards, frameworks, and performance metrics.Establish consistent safety expectations and governance across all locations while allowing for site-specific operational needs.Serve as the internal subject matter expert on workplace safety regulations, best practices, and emerging trends.Ensure the safety program remains compliant with OSHA and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.Apply prior safety leadership experience to make sound, timely, and well-reasoned judgment calls in high-risk or complex situations.Evaluate competing risks and operational constraints to recommend practical, business-aligned safety solutions.Safety Culture & Leadership InfluencePartner with senior leadership and site leaders to embed safety accountability into leadership behaviors and operational decision-making.Develop strategies to strengthen safety culture, emphasizing proactive hazard identification, ownership, and prevention.Provide consultative guidance to leaders on safety-related risks, trends, and improvement opportunities.Influence senior leaders to adopt recommended safety practices by presenting data-driven insights, risk assessments, and strategic impact analysis.Confidently advocate for best practices, even when recommendations require operational change or challenge the status quo.Program Oversight & Continuous ImprovementAnalyze safety data, incident trends, audit results, and leading indicators to identify systemic risks and improvement opportunities.Oversee root cause analysis processes for significant incidents and ensure corrective actions address underlying causes—not just symptoms.Establish standardized methods for measuring safety performance and program effectiveness across the organization.Lead periodic program reviews and recommend enhancements to policies, training approaches, and controls.Use prior multi-site experience to anticipate risk trends and proactively implement preventive measures.Sustainability Partnership & Program DevelopmentPartner closely with the Director of Sustainability to design, implement, and track sustainability initiatives that align safety performance with environmental and corporate responsibility goals.Develop and manage tracking systems for sustainability metrics related to safety, environmental impact, waste reduction, and regulatory compliance.Support initiatives aimed at improving the company's sustainability ratings and external scorecards (e.g., EcoVadis or similar reporting frameworks).Identify opportunities to integrate environmental stewardship practices into safety programming, training, and operational procedures.Contribute to sustainability program creation by recommending measurable objectives, accountability structures, and continuous improvement strategies.Assist in preparing data and documentation required for sustainability reporting and third-party assessments.Cross-Functional PartnershipCollaborate with Operations, HR, Sustainability, and site leadership to align safety and environmental strategies with operational processes and workforce needs.Serve as a key contributor to cross-functional initiatives impacting safety, risk management, compliance, and sustainability.Act as a liaison between corporate leadership and site teams to ensure alignment and consistency in safety and sustainability execution.Requirements:Proven experience building or revamping safety programs across multiple locations.Demonstrated ability to make high-level judgment decisions that balance compliance, operational efficiency, and business risk.Strong executive presence and proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive strategic safety improvements.Exceptional project management and organizational skills.Strong interpersonal, communication, and influence skills, with ability to partner effectively at all organizational levels.Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Teams, etc.).Demonstrated ability to analyze data, identify trends, and translate findings into actionable strategies.Strong written and verbal communication skills with the tact and diplomacy required to foster collaboration while maintaining accountability.Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with strong attention to detail and accuracy.Supervision Received:Works with minimal supervision. This role is expected to operate independently, identify risks and opportunities, and proactively communicate issues, recommendations, and progress to leadership.Qualifications and Education RequirementsBachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health, Business Administration, or a related field (preferred).7+ years of progressive safety experience, with demonstrated responsibility for building, leading, or significantly enhancing safety programs across multiple locations.Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, compliance standards, and safety management best practices.Physical Requirements:Lifting: Occasionally raises objects from a lower to a higher position or moves objects horizontally from position-to position. Weight is usually less than 30 lbs.Push/Pull: Occasionally uses upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion. Weight is usually less than 30 lbs.Reaching: Extends hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. Weight is usually less than 30 lbs.Stooping: Bends body downward and forward at the waist. Weight is usually less than 30 lbs.Sitting: extended periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.Standing: Standing for moderate levels of time. Infrequently more than an hour at a time.Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks. In frequently more than an hour at a time.