What are the responsibilities and job description for the Safety Manager position at Performance Foodservice?
Job Description
We Deliver the Goods:
The Safety Manager plays a critical leadership role in protecting our people, customers, and brand while enabling efficient, compliant distribution operations. This role partners closely with all leaders to drive a proactive, prevention-focused safety culture across our Operating Company (OpCo).
Responsible for developing programs, coaching leaders and associates, analyzing risk trends, and ensuring compliance with DOT, FMCSA, OSHA and food distribution safety standards. Also responsible for developing, implementing and/or administering environmental, fleet safety, occupational health and safety, facility security and disaster preparedness planning, along with effective management of claims (e.g., property and casualty – worker’s compensation, auto liability, physical damage, and products/general liability).
Functions as a team member within the department and organization, as required, and performs any duty assigned to best serve the company.
Major Functional Responsibilities:
Accident Prevention and Safety Leadership
Required Qualifications
High School Diploma/GED or Equivalent Experience
4 - 6 years Occupational safety and health management or related area
We Deliver the Goods:
- Competitive pay and benefits, including Day 1 Health & Wellness Benefits, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 401K Employer Matching, Education Assistance, Paid Time Off, and much more
- Growth opportunities performing essential work to support America’s food distribution system
- Safe and inclusive working environment, including culture of rewards, recognition, and respect.
The Safety Manager plays a critical leadership role in protecting our people, customers, and brand while enabling efficient, compliant distribution operations. This role partners closely with all leaders to drive a proactive, prevention-focused safety culture across our Operating Company (OpCo).
Responsible for developing programs, coaching leaders and associates, analyzing risk trends, and ensuring compliance with DOT, FMCSA, OSHA and food distribution safety standards. Also responsible for developing, implementing and/or administering environmental, fleet safety, occupational health and safety, facility security and disaster preparedness planning, along with effective management of claims (e.g., property and casualty – worker’s compensation, auto liability, physical damage, and products/general liability).
Functions as a team member within the department and organization, as required, and performs any duty assigned to best serve the company.
Major Functional Responsibilities:
Accident Prevention and Safety Leadership
- Leads the OpCo’s accident prevention strategy focusing on risk identification, behavioral safety and continuous improvement.
- Develops and implement preventability standards, accident review processes, and corrective action plans.
- Chairs or co-chair accident review committees, partnering with Transportation, Operations, and Human Resources leaders to determine root causes and accountability.
- Proactively analyzes trends in near-misses, driver behaviors and facility incidents to prevent accidents before they occur.
- Partners with frontline supervisors to conduct ride-alongs, yard observations, and safety walks that reinforce safe behaviors.
- Drives engagement in safety initiatives such as near-miss reporting and recognition programs to reinforce safe behaviors and results.
- Serves as a subject matter expert during serious incidents, ensuring effective communication, documentation and follow-up.
- Lead all DOT and FMCSA compliance activities, including driver qualification files, hours of service, CSA scores and vehicle inspections.
- Partner with Transportation leadership to coach CDL drivers on safe driving behaviors, defensive driving and regulatory compliance.
- Investigate vehicle accidents and incidents, determine root causes and implement corrective actions.
- Manage post-accident, random and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing programs.
- Analyze telematics, dashcam, and accident data to identify trends and reduce risk.
- Oversee OSHA compliance across the OpCo, including powered industrial trucks, ergonomics, fall protection and material handling.
- Conduct safety audits, job hazard analyses (JHA’s) and facility inspections.
- Support safe food distribution practices, including cold-chain safety, dock safety and sanitation related risks.
- Manage the Worker’s Compensation Program from initial injury reporting through claim closure.
- Lead incident investigations for workplace injuries and near-misses, ensuring timely reporting and corrective actions.
- Partner with Human Resources, Operations, medical providers and third-party administrators to control claim costs and improve outcomes.
- Lead return-to-work and temporary modified light duty programs to support associate recovery while minimizing time loss claims.
- Track, analyze and report worker’s compensation and safety KPI’s (TRIR, DART, preventable accidents, CSA scores) to identify trends, high-risk job functions, and opportunities for injury prevention.
- Develop and update safety policies, procedures and emergency response plans.
- Lead safety committee and cross-function improvement initiatives.
- Support litigation management by providing documentation, investigation findings and expert testimony when required.
- Design and deliver engaging safety training for OpCo associates, especially drivers, selectors, supervisors and leaders.
- Lead new-hire safety orientation for drivers and warehouse associates.
- Coach frontline leaders to own safety accountability within their teams.
- Champion a proactive, “see something, say something” safety culture.
Required Qualifications
High School Diploma/GED or Equivalent Experience
4 - 6 years Occupational safety and health management or related area