Aviation Safety Leader – On-Site

SkyChefs; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

SkyChefs in Santa Ana, CA, is seeking a Safety Manager to lead the development, implementation, and oversight of all employee and ramp safety programs at one of the world’s busiest airport environments.

The ideal candidate has 3 to 7+ years in aviation safety, strong leadership, and proven ability to drive risk reduction, investigations, and regulatory compliance across OSHA, FAA, and airline standards. Join a fast-paced, team-driven operation focused on safety culture and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 3 to 7+ years of experience in aviation safety or related fields.
• Proven leadership skills and ability to develop and lead others to obtain desired results
• Strong understanding of OSHA, FAA, DOT, and airline safety regulations.
• Ability to conduct thorough investigations, gather evidence, and collaborate with legal teams.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and training skills—able to influence teams at all levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data-driven safety reporting tools.
• Aviation security experience and knowledge of the Circle of Safety are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety initiatives at our new facility, ensuring compliance with OSHA, FAA, DOT, EPA, airline regulations, and company-wide safety standards.
• Oversee and implement Ramp Safety Operating Procedures and Safety Management Guides.
• Conduct mock OSHA and Ramp Safety Audits, ensuring the new location is fully prepared for external evaluations.
• Act as the primary safety liaison for airline partners, federal agencies, and internal stakeholders.
• Incident Investigation & Risk Management
• Lead accident and injury investigations, performing root cause analysis to prevent future occurrences
• Track and analyze trends in employee injuries, aircraft, auto, and property damages, implementing proactive strategies to reduce risk.
• Develop action plans that drive measurable reductions in workplace incidents and operational disruptions.
• Train, mentor, and empower teams on safety best practices, ensuring employees at our new facility are well-equipped to maintain a safe working environment.
• Ensure CSC safety trainers are properly trained to onboard and educate new hires.
• Conduct workshops and continuous learning sessions to build a strong safety culture at our expansion site.
• Participate in safety meetings with business partners, including ARTEX, Continental, and UPSLT-Delta.
• Work with airline manufacturers to design new ground service equipment for next-generation aircraft.
• Support Lean Manufacturing initiatives to enhance safety and efficiency across operations.

Skills

Leadership

OSHA FAA DOT regulations

Investigations & root cause analysis

Training & communication

Data-driven safety reporting

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Safety or Aviation Ground Safety preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

SkyChefs in Santa Ana, CA, is seeking a Safety Manager to lead the development, implementation, and oversight of all employee and ramp safety programs at one of the world’s busiest airport environments.

The ideal candidate has 3 to 7+ years in aviation safety, strong leadership, and proven ability to drive risk reduction, investigations, and regulatory compliance across OSHA, FAA, and airline standards. Join a fast-paced, team-driven operation focused on safety culture and continuous improvement.