Director of EHS

United Natural Foods, Inc.; Sarasota (FL); Remote; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the food distribution sector is seeking a Risk & Safety Leader to drive safety initiatives across their South Region distribution center. This role requires strategic oversight on safety culture, compliance, and an ability to lead cross-departmental projects. With a strong emphasis on leadership and compliance, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree and have extensive experience in safety management, offering a competitive salary and the chance to foster a safe working environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive environmental, health, and safety experience.
• 5+ years of experience in safety leadership roles.
• Advanced knowledge of OSHA, DOT, EPA, DHS, FDA/USDA policies.

Responsibilities

• Direct and implement programs for prevention and resolution of safety issues.
• Ensure standardization and consistency in Risk and Safety functions.
• Build a high performing team for execution of the safety strategy.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental health and safety or related field

Master’s degree in environmental health and safety or related field

Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification

Certified industrial hygiene (CIH) certification

ISO 14001 and/or ISO 45001 certifications

Tools

Microsoft Office Applications

Job description

PURPOSE: The most important value at UNFI is “We Do the Right Thing”. This role is part of the Risk & Safety leadership team and provides subject matter expertise to the South Region distribution center safety and leadership teams The role is also a cultural expert on safety and is responsible for driving projects from concept to execution to self-sustaining processes of the company. While initiatives will differ over time, as assigned and/or self-created, focus areas will include audits, continuous improvement, safety culture improvement and sustainability, safety training technology, early interventional techniques to lessen injuries, and other projects and innovations related to food safety, occupational safety, environmental compliance, OSHA and DOT compliance.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Direct and implement programs to aid in the prevention, detection and resolution of losses, food safety issues, safety issues, both internally and externally.

· Provides leadership to the organization, both field and corporate office, in addressing and coordinating safety management systems, safety culture change and sustainability, safety program audits, onsite early intervention, safety training technology, asset protection, loss control, regulatory compliance and safety initiatives.

· Ensures standardization and consistency in philosophy and operation of Risk and Safety functions through the development of policies and best practices.

· Managing process to create centralized repository, tracking and management of continuous improvement of safety at Distribution Center sites ensuring that Operations are conducting and tracking focused audits.

· Managing the process to insure external-style audits are conducted and appropriate follow up actions are taken.

· Preparing and delivering succinct updates on initiatives including key ROIs and metric performance to ensure that programs are performing as expected. When deviations occur, owning communication to ensure stakeholders understand and are aligned with differences in conditions/performance/new dependencies.

· Partner with finance to ensure collaboration as to any expected financial ROIs of program and process improvements.

· Build a high performing team to ensure the safety strategy is executed. This includes hiring talent, onboarding, coaching, and participating in annual talent calibrations.

· Collaborate and partner with all departments to influence and manage safety resources, projects and business decisions.

· Performs other relevant job duties as required.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education/Certification:

· Bachelor’s degree with major course work in environmental health and safety, risk management, environmental/industrial engineering or other closely related field is required.

· Master’s degree with major course work in environmental health and safety, risk management, environmental/industrial engineering or other closely related field is preferred.

· Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification is required.

· Certified industrial hygiene (CIH) certification is highly desirable.

· ISO 14001 and/or ISO 45001 certifications are highly desirable

Experience:

· 10+ years of progressive environmental, health and safety experience.

· 5+ years of experience in safety leadership roles.

Knowledge:

· Advanced knowledge and technical expertise of OSHA, DOT, EPA, DHS, FDA/USDA and HACCP and SQF Policies and Procedure.

· Knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications: Excel and Word.

Skills/Abilities:

· Strong communication, interpersonal skills with the ability to influence effectivity with all levels of management, employees and customers.

· Excellent organizational and analytical skills.

· Ability to manage, direct, develop and evaluate staff members.

· Ability to independently resolve a variety of difficult situations using timely decision making.

· Ability to devise, present and implement business plans and strategies to influence various levels of management, employees and customers.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/ DEMANDS:

· While this is a remote position – position is required to be located in the region the role oversees.

· Travel required up to 50%.

· Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.

· Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at desk or computer terminal.

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.

· Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephone and other office equipment in the course of normal workday.

· Stooping, bending, twisting and reaching may be required in completion of job duties

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department and/or location

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.