Complex Health and Safety Manager

At Pilgrim’s, Safety Is A Condition, which means the safety of our team members comes first - always.

Pilgrim’s is seeking a talented and driven professional to join our new LaFayette, Georgia, startup facility. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the launch of a state-of-the-art operation, helping to establish processes, build strong teams, and create a culture of safety, quality, and operational excellence. We are looking for individuals who thrive in fast-paced environments, embrace challenges, and are energized by the opportunity to build something new. If you are passionate about driving results and making a meaningful impact, we invite you to be part of this exciting growth initiative.

This position is responsible for leading all aspects of health, safety, security, and workers’ compensation programs for the facility. As a key member of the site leadership team, the Complex Health and Safety Manager drives regulatory compliance, risk reduction, injury prevention, and continuous improvement initiatives. Responsibilities include implementing corporate safety programs, managing audits and investigations, overseeing safety training, monitoring performance metrics, managing departmental budgets, and partnering with operations, medical providers, regulatory agencies, and corporate leadership to promote a safe and healthy work environment.

Responsibilities:

• Implement, and maintain all corporate Safety and Health programs. 

• Develop and maintain site’s Share Point. 

• Maintain open lines of communication with the Corporate Safety Manager. 

• Assists in the investigation of all near misses, first aid cases, recordable cases, lost day injuries, as described in the Corporate Safety Leadership and accountability Program. 

• Assist the Fleet Safety Regional Manager in the investigation of vehicular accidents. 

• Track injury trends and develop action plans to address identified accident trends. 

• Keep the management team informed of any safety and health related issues and/or concerns identified within your respective scope of responsibility. 

• Interact daily with the Occupational Health Nurse(s) in a way that builds a team atmosphere within the safety and medical areas of the site. 

• Spend time being visible in the processing plant and other site locations. 

• Conduct periodic safety and health audits and track findings to ensure closure. 

• Provide the Corporate Safety Office with the site’s monthly safety performance numbers by the deadline dates. 

• Be actively involved in the site’s Workers’ Compensation program by attending regularly scheduled meetings, providing supporting documentation for claims in litigation, and assist the Occupational Health Nurse/Third Party Administrator in effectively managing all open claims. 

• Provide training support to the organization and ensure that all required monthly training is completed as scheduled. 

• Manage security force in a fashion that protects site employees, visitors, contractors, and property and assets. 

• Be the site’s liaison when outside agencies come on-site to conduct annual assessments (i.e., insurance carrier, local fire department, OSHA, EPA, etc.) 

• Generate, manage and monitor the safety departmental budget by evaluate ways of saving costs associated with training, travel, as well as personal protective equipment.  

• Be the site’s liaison with the Property Insurance Company to provide closure to open recommendations in addition to working with company’s Engineering Construction Department to ensure all new construction meets FM Global specifications. 

• Intimately be involved with local medical community in a fashion that all medical vendors understand the company’s philosophy on OSHA recordkeeping and return to work programs. 

What You’ll Need:

·          Education: Bachelors/master's degree in safety engineering/management or related field.

·          Certifications: Extensive knowledge in the areas of Workers Compensation, OSHA, DOT, etc. is essential.

·          Experience: Five or more years of safety experience in the food industry preferred.

·          Skills: Candidates should possess strong leadership, communication, and team development skills, with the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing across all levels of the organization. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five years of safety leadership experience, preferably within the food manufacturing industry, and extensive knowledge of Workers’ Compensation, OSHA, DOT, and other applicable regulatory requirements. A demonstrated understanding of supervisory principles, employee training, and performance management is essential. Candidates should also be proficient in SAP or a comparable ERP system, Microsoft Excel, and other Microsoft Office applications. Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills are preferred. This role requires a highly responsive leader who can effectively support a 24/7 manufacturing environment and drive a culture of safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.

·          Ability to lift 50 lbs. or more

Candidate Expectations:

·          Travel up to 10% annually, with occasional overnight stays (1–4 days per trip).

·          Flexible schedule required, including some weekends and varying shifts to meet deadlines.

·          Maintains a positive, collaborative work environment through effective communication and teamwork.

·          Comfortable navigating production areas and equipment safely and efficiently.

·          Proactively identifies and addresses safety and food safety risks, promoting safe practices throughout the facility.

Why Work for Pilgrim’s?

• Schedule: Monday – Friday with occasional weekends.
• Benefits: Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment;
• Paid Time Off: Sick leave, vacation, company observed holidays or, any other statutorily required paid leave;
• 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule;
• Base salary range of $79,417.00 - $104,140.33
• 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 Vision: To become the best and most respected company in our industry creating the opportunity of a better future for our team members.

Our Core Values Are: Availability, Determination, Discipline, Humility, Ownership, Simplicity, Sincerity

EOE, including disability/vets

Unsolicited Assistance: Pilgrim's does 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 Pilgrim's 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 Pilgrim's. No fees will be paid should the candidate be hired by Pilgrim's because of an unsolicited referral.