• Job Description

  Req#: SAFET002776

  OATKA Milk Products LLC was established in 1959. The plant is 700,000 square feet with processing, blending, packaging, warehousing, and wastewater treatment, with a staff of 500 operating 24/7/365. OATKA processes milk, producing powder, butter, evaporated milk, specialty ready-to-drink coffee, energy, protein, and cream liqueur beverages.

  Job Summary:

  The Safety Manager will plan, implement, and coordinate programs to reduce or eliminate occupational injuries, illnesses, and financial losses and appraise conditions that could produce accidents. Responsible for overseeing accident prevention programs for incorporation into policies. Coordination of safety activities to ensure implementation throughout the facility. Plans and directs safety and health activities in an industrial plant to evaluate and control environmental hazards. Inspects machinery, equipment, and working conditions in industrial or other settings to ensure compliance with occupational safety and health regulations. Coordinates activities in training employees. The job requires on-site management with some flexibility for off-site work as workload demands.

  Key Daily Responsibilities including:

  • Involvement in daily huddle meetings to provide a safety department presence and message
  • Reviewing and leading any incident investigations from the previous shifts or that occur while on shift
  • Ensure that the Communication Board is functioning and displaying current information at all times
  • Facility walkthrough to ensure boots on the ground with a focus on behavior and adherence to safe work practices
  • Engaging with personnel to promote worker participation in proactive safety
  • Review Open Action Items and update status (weekly review with management)
  • Review and follow up of near misses and hazard recognition in the facility
  • Review weekly Supervisor Audits and ensure that follow-up actions are added to the Action List in Teams and addressed
  • Oversee and facilitate the implementation of safety programs and procedures

  Key Flex Responsibilities (as necessary) including:

  • New Employee Safety Orientations – cover training coordinator when necessary
  • Implement the health and safety program requirements at the facility
  • Assisting with the development of Lockout/Tagout procedures
  • Perform proactive safety functions
  • Audit departments' completion of the required safety documentation like pre-shift inspections on PITs
  • Train employees and implement and improve the Learning Plan (Annual Training Topics)
  • Manage Near Miss/Hazard recognition program, track and resolve open safe items
  • Oversee Root Cause Analysis for incidents
  • Develop Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) for plant operations
  • Develop One Point Lessons as necessary
  • Oversee Monthly Safety Committee Meeting
  • Ensure that OSHA 300 log is current and properly maintained
  • Identify and Implement Weekly Toolbox Topics
  • Implement the Safety Management Operating System and complete Follow-up actions
  • Perform and document Weekly Safety Manager Tasks
  • Provide input on projects and expansions
  • Help support Environmental programs and wastewater
  • Support manufacturing operations to meet customer demand
  • Other duties as assigned

  Qualifications

  Work within a union environment among a cross-disciplinary population. Must be able to work individually and in a team setting. Organize and manage time and competing priorities. Flexibility to train and meet with staff overnight or afternoon shifts. On-call 24/7/365 with duties shared among coworkers. The team includes technical and administrative managers, engineers, trade professionals, administrators, financial professionals, and laboratory scientists. The above requirements represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations are available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.

  Education and Experience

  • A BS degree in Safety Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, Sciences, Business, Health or in a related field. MS in EHS or an MBA degree is preferred.
  • Five plus years’ experience in manufacturing or industrial setting preferred
  • Deep understanding of legal health and safety guidelines

  • Understanding of environmental regulations and good practices
  • Ability to produce reports and develop/manage relevant policies
  • Good knowledge of data analysis and risk assessment
  • Excellent organizational and motivational skills
  • Outstanding attention to detail and observation ability
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities
  • Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the health, safety, and environmental field.
  • Collaborative problem solver who understands the complexities of a manufacturing environment
  • Expected to take a hands-on approach and build relationships with leaders and employees throughout the organization

  Confidentiality

  This position will have exposure to product and project specifications, organizational growth strategies, and O-AT-KA strategic plans. A high degree of confidentiality is required.

  Management Responsibility

  The Safety Manager is an individual contributor who works under the general direction of the EHS Manager. Resources and coworkers for this position include the Senior Director of Safety & Compliance, plant EHS Manager, plant Safety Manager, Training Coordinator, and contract environmental consulting firm.

  Work Environment

  The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing this job's essential functions.

  The Safety Manager will work cross-organizationally in all facets of the O-AT-KA Plant and office environments. Must be capable of operating standard office equipment and seeing, grasping hold, walking, climbing, bending, stretching, and lifting up to 40 lbs. Immersed in the production environment working near moving mechanical parts, corrosive chemicals, high-speed conveyors, and processing equipment where temperatures fluctuate, floors may be wet, and noise is a constant factor.

  Salary: $70k-$105k

  Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

  Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

  The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

• About the company

  Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is an American dairy cooperative located in Buffalo, New York.

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