Safety Manager

Reports To: Vice President of Operations or Chief Operating Officer Location: On-Site with Travel to Customer Facilities as Needed We are currently recruiting on behalf of our client for a direct hire opportunity for a manager of risk and safety. This is a hybrid position on site in Conover, NC. Position Summary The Manager of Risk & Safety is responsible for developing, implementing, and leading all aspects of the company's safety and risk management programs across manufacturing and industrial environments. This is a hands-on, boots-on-the-ground leadership role requiring regular visits to manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and customer sites to identify hazards, coach employees, and ensure compliance with OSHA and company safety standards. This individual will drive a proactive safety culture by reducing workplace injuries, managing workers' compensation claims, improving the organization's Experience Modification Rate (EMR/Mod Rate), implementing innovative safety initiatives, and partnering with operations leaders to minimize risk while supporting business growth. Safety Leadership Serve as the company's subject matter expert for occupational health and safety across manufacturing and industrial operations. Maintain a visible presence in the field through regular safety walks and site visits. Conduct routine facility inspections, job hazard analyses, and risk assessments. Identify unsafe behaviors and conditions while coaching employees and leaders on corrective actions. Develop, implement, and continuously improve company-wide safety policies and procedures. Create and launch new safety initiatives that increase employee engagement and reduce workplace incidents. Lead incident investigations, determine root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions. Track and investigate all near misses to identify trends and prevent future incidents. Ensure OSHA compliance and prepare for regulatory inspections and audits. Manage all aspects of workers' compensation claims from initial reporting through claim closure. Partner with insurance carriers, adjusters, brokers, and medical providers to reduce claim costs and improve return-to-work outcomes. Develop and oversee modified duty and return-to-work programs. Monitor claim trends and recommend strategies to reduce overall risk exposure. Review incident data and provide executive reporting on safety performance metrics. Insurance & Compliance Manage insurance endorsements and certificates related to customer and operational requirements. Work closely with insurance brokers to ensure appropriate coverage for business operations. Assist with annual insurance renewals and underwriting requests. Maintain compliance with OSHA, state, and local safety regulations. Safety Programs Design, implement, and maintain proactive safety programs including: Near Miss Reporting Safety Observation Programs Behavioral Based Safety Ergonomics Initiatives PPE Compliance Lockout/Tagout Emergency Response Planning Develop and facilitate safety training for employees, supervisors, and managers. Maintain training documentation and regulatory records. Performance & Analytics Monitor and improve the organization's Experience Modification Rate (EMR/Mod Rate). Analyze injury trends, OSHA logs, workers' compensation costs, and leading indicators. Develop dashboards and executive reports highlighting key safety metrics. Recommend data-driven improvements to reduce incidents and associated costs. Partner with Operations, HR, Branch Management, and Customer Leadership to build a strong culture of safety. Participate in customer safety meetings and audits. Provide coaching and guidance to managers regarding safe work practices and compliance expectations. Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Risk Management, Industrial Hygiene, or related field (or equivalent experience). 5+ years of progressive safety leadership experience in manufacturing, industrial staffing, warehousing, or distribution environments. Extensive experience managing workers' compensation claims. Experience managing insurance endorsements and risk-related documentation. Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and workplace safety compliance. Experience conducting safety walks, facility inspections, and incident investigations. Demonstrated success implementing new safety programs from concept through execution. Experience monitoring and improving Experience Modification Rate (EMR/Mod Rate). Excellent presentation, communication, and leadership skills. Ability to travel regularly between customer locations and company facilities. Preferred OSHA 30 Certification. Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), or equivalent certification. Experience within staffing, manufacturing, logistics, or distribution industries. First Aid/CPR Instructor certification. Experience with environmental health and safety management systems. Boots-on-the-ground leadership style Risk assessment and mitigation Workers' compensation management Insurance and endorsements knowledge OSHA compliance expertise Incident investigation and root cause analysis Safety program development Data analysis and reporting Relationship building Change management Training and coaching Problem-solving Strong organizational skills Success Measures The successful candidate will Reduce OSHA recordable incidents and lost-time injuries. Improve the organization's EMR/Mod Rate year over year. Decrease workers' compensation claim frequency and severity. Increase near miss reporting and proactive hazard identification. Successfully implement and sustain new safety initiatives. Maintain OSHA compliance across all locations. Foster a strong, proactive safety culture throughout the organization. J-18808-Ljbffr