Environmental Health and Safety Manager

SunOpta Overview:

SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) is an innovative and sustainable manufacturer fueling the future of food. With roots tracing back over 50 years, SunOpta drives growth for today’s leading brands by serving as a trusted innovation partner and value-added manufacturer, crafting organic, plant-based beverages, fruit snacks, nutritional beverages, broths and tea products sold through retail, club, foodservice and e-commerce channels. Alongside the company’s commitment to top brands, retailers and coffee shops, SunOpta also proudly produces its own brands, including  SOWN^®, Dream^®, and West Life™. For more information, visit SunOpta and LinkedIn.

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for establishing policies and delivering safety training and education that will create and maintain a safe workplace. Evaluates, assesses, and alters safety procedures and policies for the benefit of employees. Understand requirements and maintain correct environmental permitting for environmental requirements while identifying and supporting energy and waste reduction initiatives.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Develop and execute health and safety plans in the workplace according to legal guideline.
• Prepare and enforce policies to establish and maintain a culture of health and safety.
• Evaluate practices, procedures, and facilities to assess risk and adherence to SunOpta safety policies and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor compliance to all SunOpta health and safety policies by inspecting operations.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory bodies, standards, and laws (including OSHA, EPA, etc.), including but not limited to:
• Wastewater Discharge Permit, Air Permit, Solid Waste Disposal
• Hazardous Chemical Programs, RMP, PSM, HAZCOM
• Blood borne pathogens, Accident and Illness, Heat Stress, Hearing Loss
• Safety permits such as (LOTO, Hot Work, Confined Space, etc.)
• Inspect equipment and machinery to observe possible unsafe conditions.
• Investigate accidents or incidents as needed to discover causes.
• Interface with workers’ compensation carrier as needed for claims processing and support.
• Recommend solutions to issues, identify improvement opportunities or new prevention measures.
• Evaluate, assess. and alter safety procedures and policies for the benefit of employees.
• Analyze accident reports to ensure root cause(s) have been identified.
• Prepare and conduct health and safety training sessions for employees and/or assist with securing outside resources for safety training and education.
• Initiate accident prevention measures.
• Develop and track meaningful incident metrics.
• Research environmental regulations and policies and lead efforts to ensure compliance.
• Oversee the applications for and receipt of necessary permits.
• Lead development efforts of facility safety committees.
• Lead and Implement Projects to reduces landfill, CO2 emissions, electricity/water usage.
• Ownership of activities around sustainability, including (but not limited to) energy reduction, recycling, zero landfill, reducing waste, etc.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.A. or B.S. Degree in environmental health and safety, business, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of six years of EHS related experience in manufacturing.
• Solid understanding of health and safety laws and regulations including EPA, OSHA, and other relevant governmental bodies

Preferred Qualifications:

• Food industry experience.
• Bilingual (Spanish).

Knowledge and Skills: 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills/
• Capabilities to create and deliver group training.
• Solid computer skills including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with an ability to generate system reports good knowledge of data analytics and risk assessment.
• Good attention to detail and observation ability to identify hazards.
• Ability to train, motivate and influence team members.

Additional Considerations: 

• Travel Requirements: Up to 10%.
• Location: This position will be at our SunOpta Plant in Modesto, CA. 

Work Environment/Physical Demands: 

Approximately 50% of work is performed in an office environment and 50% of work will involve being in a manufacturing environment.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED