Safety Manager in Training (SMIT)

Position Summary

The Safety Manager in Training (SMIT) role is a developmental leadership position designed to prepare high-potential candidates for placement into Safety Manager or equivalent roles within the organization by providing broad exposure across lines of business. The role is intended primarily for internal candidates but remains open to qualified external candidates with strong foundational experience and demonstrated learning agility. The SMIT assignment is developmental rather than time-based, with progression dependent on prior experience, demonstrated competencies, pace of development, and the availability of Safety Manager openings.  **Must be willing to travel and/or relocate.

*****The Safety Manager in Training will be based out of a designated Pilgrim’s facility. This is NOT a remote position!   

Key Responsibilities

• Build capability to manage site safety programs through progressive, hands-on development and guided involvement, increasing responsibility as knowledge, judgment, and readiness are demonstrated under the guidance of a Safety Director.
• Build the ability to independently assess risk, prioritize actions, and influence operational leaders without direct authority while aligning actions to organizational goals.
• Support the execution of safety strategies and initiatives, assuming increased leadership responsibility as readiness develops and organizational goals require.
• Identify, evaluate, and anticipate safety and health hazards by reviewing operations, work practices, equipment, and environmental conditions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local safety regulations by interpreting standards and partnering with operations leaders to drive sustainable, practical compliance solutions.
• Participate in and progressively lead safety audits, inspections, and regulatory readiness activities.
• Participate in incident investigations, including root cause analysis, corrective action development, and follow-up validation.
• Analyze safety data and trends to identify leading indicators, emerging risks, and systemic issues.
• Develop and communicate actionable safety insights to leadership using reports, dashboards, and presentations.
• Assist in the development and delivery of effective safety training for leaders and frontline employees.
• Coach supervisors and managers on safe work practices, hazard recognition, and conducting meaningful safety conversations.
• Promote a culture of accountability, learning, and continuous improvement across assigned operations.
• Partner with plant leadership, engineering, HR, fleet, contractors, and other stakeholders to integrate safety into daily business operations.
• Participate in cross-functional or enterprise-level safety projects to broaden organizational and business understanding.
• Actively pursue professional development through formal training, certifications, mentoring, and peer networking.
• Demonstrate continuous learning, adaptability, and responsiveness as safety systems, tools, and expectations evolve.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in safety, industrial hygiene, engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant safety experience.
• Typically 1–3 years of safety-related experience, including working knowledge of OSHA and applicable Federal, State, and local safety regulations; internal candidates with demonstrated performance and leadership potential may be considered with less tenure.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and prioritization skills with the ability to evaluate risk, identify trends, and recommend practical solutions in a dynamic operational environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence, coach, and build trust across varying levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated adaptability and comfort with change, varied work environments, and evolving expectations.
• Willingness and ability to travel, work a flexible schedule as needed, and relocate in support of advancement opportunities aligned with organizational needs and leadership selection.

Developmental Success & Readiness for Advancement

Success in the Safety Manager in Training (SMIT) role is demonstrated through the ability to lead defined safety initiatives, contribute to measurable risk reduction or improving safety performance trends, and effectively partner with leadership to influence safe outcomes. The SMIT role is a key component of the organization’s safety leadership pipeline, with readiness for advancement evaluated based on demonstrated performance, leadership capability, and professional growth. Placement into a Safety Manager or equivalent role is dependent on individual readiness and the availability of appropriate openings; successful completion of the SMIT role does not guarantee immediate placement but positions the individual as a strong candidate for future safety leadership opportunities.

Why Work for Pilgrim’s? 

• Benefits: Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment; 
• Paid Time Off: sick leave, vacation, and 6 company observed holidays; 
• 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule;  
• Base Salary range of $87,471.00 +/- based on experience
• Incentive Pay: This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s annual bonus plan; the amount of bonus varies and is subject to the standard terms and conditions of the incentive program; and
• Career Development: Our company is dedicated to supporting professional growth by offering continuous learning opportunities and a focus on career growth through various learning and development programs; 
• Better Futures 

The Company is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our team members and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct drug, alcohol, and background checks for all new team members post-offer and prior to the start of employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.  

About us: Pilgrim’s is a leading global food company with more than 62,000 team members worldwide. The company processes, prepares, packages, and delivers fresh, frozen, and value-added food products for customers in more than 100 countries. Pilgrim’s operates protein processing plants and prepared foods facilities in 14 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the U.K, the Republic of Ireland and continental Europe. 

Our mission: To be the best in all that we do, completely focused on our business, ensuring the best products and services to our customers, a relationship of trust with our suppliers, profitability for our shareholders and the opportunity of a better future for all of our team members.  

Our core values are:  Availability, Determination, Discipline, Humility, Ownership, Simplicity, Sincerity  

EOE, including disability/vets

Unsolicited Assistance: JBS and its companies do not accept unsolicited assistance from any recruitment vendors for any of our open jobs. All resumes or candidate profiles submitted by recruitment vendors or headhunters to any employee at JBS and its companies or via the applicant tracking system, in any form without a valid written request and search agreement previously approved by HR, will be solely owned by JBS and its companies. No fees will be paid should the candidate be hired by JBS and its companies because of an unsolicited referral.