Safety Manager

Lena, IL
Permanent
Posted: 9/24/2026 5:55:35 PM
Sedona Office: Monroe
Safety Manager
Employment Type: Full Time, Direct Hire
Location: Lena, IL
Salary Range: $80,000 – $100,000 Annually

The Safety Manager leads the facility's employee health and safety program, including safety policies, training, risk management, audits, incident investigation, and regulatory compliance. This position is a hands-on, strategic leader responsible for developing and implementing safety initiatives, improving safety performance, and building a strong culture of employee engagement and accountability while ensuring compliance with OSHA and applicable regulations. The Safety Manager partners with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Sanitation, HR, Engineering, and Operations to identify hazards, implement corrective actions, and continuously improve workplace safety.

Essential Functions
  • Develop, implement, and maintain the facility's Health & Safety programs, policies, and procedures.
  • Establish and achieve proactive and reactive safety goals, objectives, and performance metrics.
  • Identify and evaluate workplace hazards through regular inspections, audits, and collaboration with employees.
  • Ensure compliance with OSHA, company policies, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
  • Lead accident, injury, incident, and near-miss investigations, including root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
  • Develop and deliver safety training, including new-hire orientation and job-specific training.
  • Use safety data and trends to identify priorities and reduce injuries, incidents, and workplace exposures.
  • Partner with Production, Maintenance, and Engineering to improve machine, equipment, and process safety.
  • Maintain safety records, reports, audits, and regulatory documentation.
  • Promote employee participation, hazard reporting, and accountability at all levels.
  • Support workers' compensation and injury-management activities as applicable.
  • Support environmental programs, including air permits, storm water, and waste management systems.
  • Stay current with OSHA requirements, industry standards, and safety best practices.
Manufacturing Safety Focus
The Safety Manager will address hazards associated with cheese and food manufacturing, including:
  • Machinery, conveyors, cutting equipment, and automation.
  • Lockout/Tagout and machine maintenance.
  • Chemical handling and sanitation operations.
  • Wet, hot, cold, and refrigerated work environments.
  • Forklifts, powered industrial trucks, and material handling.
  • Electrical, mechanical, steam, refrigeration, and other process hazards.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
  • This position requires regular presence on the manufacturing floor and may involve exposure to loud noise, hot, wet, cold, and refrigerated conditions. Required PPE, including hearing protection, must be worn as applicable.
  • The position requires frequent standing and walking and may include bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, climbing, and occasional lifting or moving of items weighing 40 pounds or more.
  • Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required based on operational needs, emergencies, or safety activities.
  • Domestic travel to other company locations and occasional international travel may be required for training and conferences.
Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Safety, Environmental Health, Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
  • 3+ years of safety experience, preferably in food manufacturing, dairy, or another industrial environment.
  • Strong knowledge of OSHA requirements, safety programs, and training methods.
  • Experience with incident investigation, root-cause analysis, risk assessment, and corrective action.
  • Strong analytical, facilitation, project management, and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to influence employees at all levels.
  • Demonstrated ability to drive results and implement long-term safety improvements.
  • Experience with continuous improvement principles preferred.
  • Experience with air permits, storm water permits, and waste management systems preferred.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish or English/French preferred.
  • Safety certification such as CSP, ASP, or equivalent is preferred.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact our Monroe office at monroe@careerpros.com or call us at 608-325-5100.
Sedona Staffing is an Equal Opportunity Employer.