Safety Manager

Whitsons Culinary Group

Berkeley (IL)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 110,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental plan

Vision plan

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Whitsons Culinary Group seeks a Safety Manager to oversee day-to-day safety programs across culinary centers, distribution depots, on-site locations, and corporate offices. You will drive policy adoption, monitor trends, and serve as escalation point for high-risk incidents while ensuring timely return-to-work and coordination with the TPA for workers’ compensation.

We require 5+ years in workplace safety, OSHA certification, and the ability to travel between facilities.

Qualifications

Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in workplace safety, risk management, or EHS
Experience supporting multiple locations or field-based operations
Experience conducting inspections, investigations, and safety training
Familiarity with OSHA, fleet safety, workers’ compensation, and food production/distribution environments

Responsibilities

Oversee safety programs across Culinary Centers, Distribution Depots, On-Site Locations, and Corporate Offices
Conduct inspections and compliance audits at multiple locations
Lead incident investigations and root cause analysis
Coordinate training and toolbox talks across facilities and On-Site Locations
Maintain OSHA logs, injury records, and safety documentation
Prepare safety summaries and reports for leadership

Skills

Communication

Influence

Independent worker

Travel readiness

Education

Associate degree in Occupational Safety or related field

OSHA 10/30 certification

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Safety reporting systems

Job description

The Safety Manager is one of the designated safety authorities responsible for day‑to‑day administration overseeing and coordinating Whitsons’ workplace safety programs across two Culinary Centers, two Distribution locations, Corporate Offices and over 1300 kitchens and/or cafeterias where we provide food services on‑site at client locations (On‑Site Locations). This role serves as an operational safety authority for assigned locations, ensuring compliance with OSHA and company standards while driving a proactive, prevention‑focused safety culture. This position also plays a critical employee‑facing role, providing outreach and support to injured team members, ensuring appropriate care, clear communication, and timely return‑to‑work whenever possible.

The Safety Manager functions as a highly autonomous, field‑facing leader who conducts inspections, investigates incidents, and manages safety initiatives. While this role has no direct reports, it exercises significant influence and leadership across all On‑site services, Culinary services and Corporate operations. This role will also serve as a back‑up to the Workers Compensation Specialist, whose role serves as the primary liaison between the company and our Third‑Party Administrator (TPA) in overseeing workers’ compensation claims and administration.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Safety Program Oversight

Oversee the implementation, execution, and continuous improvement of Whitsons’ safety programs across Culinary Centers, Distribution Depots, On‑Site Locations, and Corporate Offices.
Drive consistent adoption of safety policies, procedures, and best practices across all supported sites.
Monitor safety performance metrics and identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
Manage and support all Safety Programs across the organization.
Provide guidance, communication, training support, and accountability to safety representatives.
Serve as the escalation point for safety issues, compliance gaps, and high‑risk incidents.
Serve as the primary liaison for the Nurse Triage Program and ReEmployability Program.

Inspections, Audits & Compliance

Conduct routine and ad‑hoc safety inspections and compliance audits at Culinary Centers, Distribution Depots, On‑Site Locations, and other company locations.
Identify hazards, document deficiencies, write site‑visit report with safety‑improvement recommendations, and work with site leadership to implement timely corrective actions.
Partner with Fleet Management to review driver logs, pre‑trip and post‑trip inspections, and fleet safety compliance.

Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis

Respond to workplace injuries, accidents, and near‑miss events in a timely and professional manner.
Lead incident investigations to determine root causes and contributing factors.
Prepare formal written investigation reports and submit them to the Director of Safety and relevant leadership.
Partner with site leadership to develop, implement, and track corrective and preventive actions.

Training & Safety Engagement

Manage and coordinate safety training, and toolbox talks across facilities and On‑Site Locations.
Facilitate Safety Committee meetings and safety engagement activities.
Ensure all required safety postings, emergency information, and regulatory notices are current and properly displayed.

Reporting, Documentation & Data Management

Maintain accurate OSHA logs, injury records, training documentation, and audit reports.
Track incident trends, corrective action status, and training completion.
Prepare safety summaries, metrics, and reports for leadership and regulatory needs.

Continuous Improvement & Risk Reduction

Proactively identify opportunities to reduce injuries, fleet incidents, and operational risk.
Stay current on OSHA regulations, foodservice and logistics safety standards, and industry best practices.
Support special projects, audits, and company‑wide safety initiatives as assigned.

Claims Management & Administration

Serve as back‑up to the Workers Compensation Specialist who is the primary point of contact with the Third‑Party Administrator (TPA) for workers’ compensation claims and administration.

Special Projects

Adapt to evolving organizational priorities by taking on special assignments and interim responsibilities as requested.
Participate in system upgrades or reporting enhancements related to safety, workers’ compensation, and risk management.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

This role offers a salary range of $90,000–$110,000 annually, based on skills, experience, and location. Employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, generous PTO, and paid holidays.

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Associate degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health, or a related field required, bachelor’s degree preferred.
OSHA 10‑Hour or 30‑Hour General Industry certification required (or ability to obtain within 6 months).

EXPERIENCE, OTHER QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Experience

Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in workplace safety, risk management, or EHS.
Experience supporting multiple locations or field‑based operations required.
Demonstrated experience conducting inspections, investigations, and safety training.
Familiarity with OSHA, fleet safety, workers’ compensation, and food production/distribution environments.

Other Qualifications

Strong communication and influencing skills across operational and field environments.
Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and operate in a fast‑paced, geographically dispersed organization.
Strong analytical, documentation, and follow‑up discipline.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate compassionately with injured employees.
Ability to manage sensitive, confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and safety reporting systems.
Ability to travel regularly between facilities and On‑Site Locations (approximately 30%).

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES