HSSE Manager - Health, Safety, Security, & Environment for FDA Food Factory

Elmer Chocolate is the oldest family-owned chocolate company in America. Our factory in Ponchatoula is the 2nd-largest manufacturer of Valentine boxed chocolate in North America.

• Blue Cross/Blue Shield medical plans for the entire family

• Paid vacation

• 401k plan

• Monthly employee appreciation events

• Free chocolate

The HSE Manager is responsible for keeping health, safety & environmental programs updated and compliant; educating and training employees about HSE practices and procedures; inspecting the safety of the plant and equipment; and communicating concerns to management at all levels. Responsible for transportation program of seasonal workers and occasional maintenance of seasonal worker housing. Manages security guard staff and security recordkeeping. This is a full-time position with 5 workdays per week and requires regular, prompt, on-site attendance with flexibility demanded for unforeseeable extended hours in the event of serious incident.

Education and Work Experience

• Degree in Safety Management preferred.
• Must be 21+ years old.
• OSHA Certified.
• CDL/School Bus Certification preferred.
• Confined Spaces Certification preferred.
• Experience in food manufacturing plant preferred.

Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of State and Federal Safety Requirements
• Demonstrates leadership as an effective role model for the department. Positive attitude and common sense
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to direct and lead direct reports with strong skills in leading and organizing people
• Employs lean improvement tools to accomplish business objectives
• Communication proficiency: verbal and writing
• Computer skills including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Ability to set expectations and hold employees accountable
• Available to report on site as needed to respond to incidents, including after office hours & weekends
• An excellent attendance and safety record is required.

Physical Requirements to Perform this Job:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• The employee is occasionally required to sit; stoop, bend, kneel, reach, crouch, crawl, use force, carry & push/pull.
• Ability to stand & walk for 12+ hours.
• Ability to hear and speak.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Regular and prompt attendance on site is required. Must be available to respond on evenings and weekends, especially during peak season.
• Reliable smell as it relates to chemical, fire, environmental, and allergen hazards.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check upon hire and annually.
• Ability to pass drug screens.
• Reliable transportation.

Work Environment and Conditions

Works in a food manufacturing environment where the plant is in operations 1-2 shifts per day. Climate controlled environment with occasional exposure to high heat & humidity (105ºF - 110ºF) in kitchen and tank room areas. Proper use of PPE required in some areas.

DUTIES:

GENERAL:

• Lives and communicates Elmer Chocolate Values, our guiding principles.
• Enforces Elmer handbook policies and participates in employee discipline, especially as it relates to HSE.
• Responsible for compliance with State and Federal laws, regulations, & requirements.
• Manage all health, safety, environmental, and security related programs and projects.
• Maintains all HSE records including accident, insurance, training, logs, etc.
• Handles all safety-related paperwork, including Tier II & LWC State Quarterly Reports.
• Maintains and restocks safety equipment, first aid supplies, & drug testing items
• Other projects or tasks, as assigned.

OSHA, EPA, LADEQ, AUDITS, ETC.:

• Serve as the sole OSHA compliance leader on site.
• Handles all OSHA communication, reporting, and documentation as required, including the OSHA 300 log.
• Serves as the liaison for other HSE governmental regulatory agencies
• Serves as the HSE liaison for auditors

HSE PROGRAMS & POLICIES:

• Responsible for all safety programs, i.e. safety inspections of equipment and plant as well as ensuring safe (working) environments for employees, contractors, vendors, visitors.
• Develop, implement, and update HSE plans and procedures such as, but not limited to:
• Emergency Action Plan and Exposure Control Plan
• Manage SDS files and supply safety data for audits and inspections
• Conduct annual review of all Safety Plans.
• Follows discipline policy and documentation.
• Monthly safety walks with management throughout the facility
• Ergonomic reviews
• Water, waste, and emissions control programs
• Manages safety recognition and awards program.
• Maintains SDS files

COMPLIANCE TRAINING:

• Create and deliver monthly safety training and provide refresher training as needed.
• Trains authorized persons to administer Certified First aid, handle blood-borne pathogens, conduct drug screens, etc.
• Mentor managers with their weekly toolbox talk topics, including any incident lessons-learned.
• Work with department managers any time a procedure is implemented or changed which may impact safety.
• Responsible for seasonal flu shot clinic and blood drives.
• Responsible for safety plans and drills, such as active shooter, shelter-in-place, fire protection, & environmental and hazardous communication plans.
• Reviews job duty assessments, job function evaluations, ergonomic studies, etc. as needed

DRUG TESTING:

• Administers drug screens onsite for the following: Pre-employment, Reasonable cause, Random, Post Accident or Transfer to security sensitive positions.
• Serves as the liaison for the local Occ-Med clinic and MROs.

ACCIDENT/INCIDENT RESPONSE:

• Serves as a first aid responder.
• Serves as CoreHealth Admin for 24/7 onsite care of injuries and treatment. In certain cases, accompanies employees to the recommended health care facility.
• Mentors Managers and Supervisors if an accident occurs while Safety Manager is off-site.
• Conducts accident investigations and communicates findings and recommendations.
• Serves as company liaison with local fire & police departments

WORKERS' COMPENSATION:

• Directly handles all worker's compensation cases to include, including FROI, run loss reports, communications with claims representative and attorneys, & document retrieval or verification.
• Liaison for Rehab Counselors regarding job duty assessments, job function evaluations, ergonomic studies, etc.
• Liaison for onsite worker's compensation visits.
• Provides officers with case updates, case statistics, & e-modifier changes

PROPERTY INSURANCE:

• Liaison for commercial property insurance provider.

LIMITED PROPERTY MAINTENANCE:

• Manages small portions of Grounds Maintenance, including parking lot upkeep and landscaping contractors for front office and surrounding facility.
• Works in conjunction with the maintenance manager and maintenance team to remedy and mitigate any maintenance issues that should be prioritized for HSE reasons.
• Remedies maintenance issues at a nearby trailer park that houses temporary, seasonal workers- such as a/c unit and key replacement.

TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT:

• Responsible for transportation program of seasonal workers, including vehicle and drivers.
• Completes performance evaluations for bus driver(s).
• Ensures drivers are in compliance with all laws and certification requirements.
• Coordinates seasonal worker transportation schedules with bus driver(s).
• Ability to serve as a backup bus-driver (CDL license) preferred.
• Maintains attendance and discipline tracking of bus driver(s).

SECURITY MANAGEMENT:

• Manages four (4) rotating security guard schedules, performance evaluations, and attendance tracking.
• Maintains the archive of security checks, logs, and incident reports.

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principle functions of the job described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all of the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. All job descriptions are subject to change at any time at Company discretion. This job description does not constitute an employment contract between the employer and the employee. If an employee's ability to perform an essential function of the job is affected by disability, the employee has the right to request a reasonable accommodation.