Director, US Health & Safety

Chicago, IL, United States

Description

TITLE: Director, US Health & Safety

REPORTING TO: VP Manufacturing, America’s Zone

LOCATION (One of the following corporate offices) : Chicago, IL, Buffalo, NY, Bedford, NH

Lactalis US is currently seeking candidates to join our US Manufacturing team. This role will be located at one of our corporate sites in Bedford, NH, Buffalo, NY, or Chicago, IL.

Lactalis, the world leader in dairy, is a family-owned business with more than 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals worldwide, committed to nurturing the future by providing healthy and delicious dairy products that bring people together every day. We produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together every day. We offer an enviable range of dairy brands including Galbani, Président, Kraft Natural Cheese, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Parmalat, Siggi’s, and Stonyfield Organic in addition to several brands imported from our affiliates in Europe.

At Lactalis, our core values of AMBITION, ENGAGEMENT, and SIMPLICITY are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to building a safe, diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace and we know that our candidates come from many different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we still encourage you to apply and share with us your STORY, your PASSION, and your EXPERTISE! You may be just the perfect candidate for this or other roles within our company.

From your PASSION to ours

The US Health & Safety (H&S) Director is responsible for the development, implementation, and direction of Lactalis USA’s H&S programs and processes to ensure effective risk management and loss control, and a safe, healthy, and productive work environment. The H&S Director will lead all H&S activities by partnering with Plant Directors, Site H&S Managers, Groupe Lactalis H&S leaders and other cross-functional teams by offering tools, training, guidance, and support for all teams to navigate H&S challenges effectively.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

Develop H&S and Loss Prevention short and long-term strategic plans. Provide advice to H&S business unit directors with respect to emerging trends, challenges, and solutions in the areas of health, safety, regulatory affairs, case law technological developments, and best practices.

Direct the development, implementation, communication, and management of H&S and Loss Prevention standards, programs, processes, and policies to ensure compliance with the Groupe Lactalis requirements, legal requirements and best practices. Collaborate with the SVP Manufacturing to shape LACTALIS USA’s 3-5 Year Capex budget for health and safety initiatives, aligning with insurance requirements and regulations. Lead the Plants' Long-Term Plans on Capex for health and safety. Take charge of environmental control strategies, partnering with legal and site teams for technical support and leading investigations from government agencies (EPA, DEC, OSHA).

Partner with Groupe Lactalis H&S to manage LACTALIS USA’s Business Continuity Assurance Program and Plant Audit program. Ensure site preparedness for Business Continuity and Plant Audit activities. Ensure compliance with all Groupe Lactalis standards. Provide updates to Groupe Lactalis H&S leaders regarding KPI’s, audit results and associated action plans.

Partner with all LACTALIS USA sites to ensure resources are available to manage and carry out quality H&S activities.

Provide guidance and support to H&S site directors during the investigation of health and safety incidents. Responsible for supervising the investigation of all major accidents and recommending future preventive measures.

Supervise solutions from sites to eliminate or reduce TF1 and TF2 incidents through appropriate education, training, and rigorous safety measures.

Implement and oversee a Health and Safety (H&S) and Loss Prevention management system, ensuring continuous improvement aligned with standards such as ISO 45001 and in adherence to the Groupe Lactalis Standard.

Collaborate with leaders to develop key performance indicators (KPI) to ensure all facilities meet or exceed all H&S and Loss Prevention policies, procedures, and programs, as well as annual safety audits and standardized scoring methods. Responsible for monitoring and reporting on KPI and audit results. Create defined action plans and provide routine updates regarding progress.

Proactively identify and address Health and Safety (H&S) and Loss Prevention concerns, risks, and hazards within the organization's operations in collaboration with H&S site director, establishing protective guidelines and protocols.

Provide leadership in the workers’ compensation process including analysis and reconciliation of health and safety programs (OSHA). Maintain contact with LACTALIS USA workers compensation insurance carrier.

Develop and implement audit tools (such as ISO standard). Direct activities related to completion of audits performed by H&S Managers at all LACTALIS USA plants. Partner with H&S site directors to ensure standards are met, taking corrective action as required to close any gaps. Partner with site directors, site H&S directors and Human Resources to address all training needs.

Serve as H&S representative on the CSR Committee. Drive initiatives across LACTALIS USA

Review reporting, including updates on action plans and all KPI’s related to H&S.

Demonstrate commitment to a safe working environment that promotes the health and wellbeing of all employees and that will further contribute to the Company’s overall performance and success.

Travel and / or extended or off work hours may be required.

This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, phone or, and / or allowance(s) may be provided.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these Essential Duties and Responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities :

Incumbent is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation for H&S implications of the various Lactalis USA entities (LAG, LHD, LUSY, Karoun) and Team Members in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. They will be in direct contact with H&S directors of these entities.

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education

Master’s degree in Safety / Bachelor's required, Master's preferred, major in Occupational Safety Management or EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety)

MBA degree is a plus or equivalent experience to include at least fifteen years (15) of job-related experience.

Experience

15+ years related experience is required, including experience managing and leading safety programs and initiatives in a food manufacturing environment.

Experience supporting multiple manufacturing sites.

Proven track record of implementing effective EH&S programs with positive results.

Specialized Knowledge

Knowledge of appropriate federal, state, county, city and institutional regulations regarding food processing operations.

Comprehensive understanding of legislation, regulations, theory and case law related to H&S.

Current knowledge of changes and innovations of H&S.

Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of fire prevention and its standards is an asset.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, specifically Excel.

Extensive knowledge of OSHA, EPA and NFPA standards.

Skills / Abilities

Expertise in auditing. Ability to lead internal audits and train site auditors.

Excellent understanding of Incident Investigation/Root Cause Analysis.

Ability to work effectively with multiple cross-functional teams and stakeholders with the ability to effectively influence others to action.

Exceptional analytical, problem-solving skills, with the ability to present complex solutions to technical and non-technical stakeholders across all organizational levels and diverse cultures and geographies.

Good problem-solving techniques including knowledge of LEAN and/or Six Sigma methodologies.

Effective training techniques to wide ranging audiences.

Entrepreneurial and hands-on – committed to innovation, continuous improvement and moving beyond the norm.

Ability to prioritize, balance and manage multiple tasks simultaneously, adjust to changing priorities, and make decisions with speed and accuracy based on available information.

Highly organized, with a keen eye for detail.

Excellent oral and written communication, presentation and negotiation skills.

Collaborative & pragmatic mindset.

Ability to travel 50%-70% depending on the needs of each BU/plant.

Ability to adapt in a changing work environment.

Ability to work extended or off-work hours is required.

Professional Certifications

Certified Safety Professional Certification (CSP)

Lactalis USA is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities.

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