Director, Occupational Safety

Overview

The Director, Occupational Safety is accountable for the budget, performance, and results of the Occupational Safety function. The role is responsible for developing an organization-wide safety culture, establishing safety policies, and developing safety budgets, schedules, and performance standards. It involves overseeing the implementation of guidelines for safety monitoring and investigation, managing the company’s Safety Operating System (SOS), emergency response plans, and training.

The director also leads inter‑company safety audits, investigates accidents, and makes recommendations for corrective action. The focus is on promoting a zero‑incident culture, ensuring regulatory compliance, and coordinating training efforts. The director has full management authority for staffing, performance, discipline, pay decisions, team development, and other personnel actions.

• Takes a lead role in driving the short to mid‑term execution of Occupational Safety business plans. Establishes and aligns safety policies and procedures with corporate recommendations, maintaining an updated corporate health and safety plan that reflects industry best practices and is compliant with all regulations.
• Leads the organization towards fostering a zero‑incident Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) culture through collaboration with HR management, senior‑level cross‑functional representatives, and senior business stakeholders.
• Establishes governance and comprehensive safety monitoring and investigation guidelines, providing clear protocols for identifying, and addressing safety incidents, conducting thorough investigations, and completing preventive maintenance activities.
• Oversees rigorous safety audits of company facilities – including personnel, equipment, and materials; systematically evaluates existing and potential accident and health hazards followed by root cause analysis and development of a corrective action plan to mitigate risks and ensure a safe working environment. Directs inter‑company, and regional audit programs.
• Ensures compliance with laws, standards, and regulations pertaining to the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles, minimizing risks associated with transportation activities.
• Leads briefings and technical meetings such as the Manufacturing Safety Council / Contractor Summit, providing guidance and insights to relevant stakeholders such as plant/network medical and safety functions, UAW Health and Safety representatives, emphasizing development, implementation, and regular updates to the company’s Safety Operating System (SOS), and the facility emergency response plans and training.
• Interfaces with regulatory agencies and statutory authorities, proactively hosting, documenting, responding to, and tracking audits and inspections to maintain compliance and address any identified issues.
• Monitors safety & departmental budgets and develops standards for the effectiveness of general and occupational health and safety programs. Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of the safety and training programs, utilizing data and insights to drive continuous improvement efforts, implement enhancements, and ensure ongoing safety excellence.
• Oversees the maintenance of accurate records for reporting incidents, injury statistics, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions taken, in accordance with legal and organizational requirements.
• Owns accountability for talent management responsibilities including performance management, professional development, succession planning, disciplinary action, terminations, recruitment, pay decisions, and other personnel actions.
• Work performed requires a good deal of walking or standing and may include some sedentary work and working conditions that include moderate noise levels related to the use of office equipment or machinery. May involve exposure to varying outside temperatures.
• This description outlines the general nature and scope of work typically performed in this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, work requirements, etc. It may vary slightly based on business or…