Health & Safety Manager

~ At POET, it is our mission to be good stewards of the Earth by converting renewable resources to energy and other valuable goods as effectively as humanly possible. For over thirty years our drive and passion to change the world has enabled us to become the largest producer and marketer of biofuels in the world. ~

About POET Plant Management:

Our 28 Bioprocessing facilities produce over 1.9 billion gallons of ethanol, 5 million tons of Dakota Gold distillers grain animal feed and 600 million pounds of our Voila® corn oil.  That’s a lot of product!  In addition, we provide CO2 to the beverage industry and contribute to sustainable roadways.  We also buy 650 million bushels of corn per year from local producers.  It is our role at POET Plant Management to ensure safe, efficient, and profitable operations at each facility. 

Job Summary

The Health and Safety Manager is responsible for designing and overseeing programs that help ensure a safe working environment for all POET Team members.  Additionally, the Health & Safety Manager is responsible for assisting POET Biorefineries with analyzing, troubleshooting, and resolving potential problems with plant operations relating to health and safety. The Health and Safety Manager must be able to effectively work in a team environment both on site with the operations group as well as with contacts at the managed plants.  This position reports to a Regional Vice President of Operations.

During A Typical Day (If There Is One)

Health and Safety:

• Intimately familiar with general industry OSHA regulations, including process safety management.
• Remain current with applicable federal, state, and local government requirements and programs and review plant programs to assure that plants are in compliance with all governmental regulations and that all applicable reports are complete.  
• Develop and oversee health and safety compliance review (audit) strategies.
• Be able to communicate and present Safety Programs at various organizational levels.
• Facilitate the updating or development of Safety Programs, including data collection, testing and reporting requirements.
• Organize, oversee and/or ensure the training of applicable POET personnel on the health and safety programs at multiple POET Biorefining locations.
• Take the lead in safety compliance audits, plant inspections, safety reviews, PSM/RMP, and other activities as needed throughout the facility.
• Oversee the Work to Live (Behavior Based Safety) program, including the development of a road map to lead a safety culture revolution.
• Collect data, ensure accuracy, maintain records documenting training, and manage filing systems for health and safety.
• Analyze data to determine areas of improvement. Develop and present targeted programs to address these areas. Assist POET Design and Construction with safety related to construction activities at POET Biorefineries.
• Travel required to POET Biorefineries and to attend conferences and/or meetings with local/state/federal regulatory agencies.
• Assume role as leader, facilitator and trainer for Root Cause Corrective action investigation in support of biorefining teams.
• Provide guidance and lead further development of biorefining safety programs and their associated protocols (i.e., PPE, confined space, hot work, line break, etc.).

Leadership:

• Mentor, guide, and provide technical advice to the management team on safety initiatives and safety regulations impacting the business.
• Coach the Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S) team in assessing, creating, aligning, implementing, updating and reviewing safety programs.
• Facilitate communication between departments within POET and multiple POET Biorefining locations to maintain an effective teamwork environment.
• Champion a culture of safe behavior and compliance with safety requirements at all times.
• Effectively manages team by recruiting, selecting, orienting and training team members.
• Leadership responsibilities also include delegation, coaching and performance management and career development.
• Effectively develop and execute health and safety strategies and support company objectives.
• Maintain a team environment at all times and champion POET in the community. 
• Since we’re all about teamwork and getting the job done, your skills may be put to a lot of other uses!

Qualifications

Characteristics of a Successful Candidate:

• Degree in Health & Safety Management or related field is required. 
• At least 8 years of health and safety experience required.
• Including:
  • Process Safety Management (PSM) experience
  • Demonstrated Behavior Based Safety (BBS) influential leadership skills that have shifted culture of teams, related to Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S) views
  • Presentation/facilitation skills and experience with both small and large groups
  • Multi-facility operations experience
• Certified Safety Professional/Graduate Safety Professional or Associate Safety Professional certifications preferred. Completed professional development; OSHA General Industry 30-Hour, DOT Hazmat Transportation, OSHA Construction 10-hour, 24 hour HAZWOPER, and HAZWOPER Train-The-Trainer; or equivalent courses or the ability to complete within six months. 
• Workers’ Compensation administration experience preferred. 
• Proficient filing, documentation, record keeping and organizational skills. 
• Knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite and the ability and willingness to learn new software applications.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills as well as the ability to adapt to change.

Working Environment:

• Culture is king at POET. We’re all on the same team. We always communicate. And we park our egos at the door. These aren’t just slogans on our walls. It’s the way we do things at POET.
• Up to 20% travel will be part of the norm for this position to visit the bioprocessing facilities, meetings and site visits.  At times overnight travel may be required.
• The work environment at POET is dynamic.  You should expect a balance between time spent in the office and at the bioprocessing facility, which may include some physical labor helping your team members. 
• This position is largely self-directed and requires understanding of company policy, procedures, and values. Team members will be required to adhere to all safety requirements in all work environments. This position operates in multiple work environments, including a plant environment, a laboratory environment, as well as an office environment.  In the office, the team member will work on a personal computer. In the plant environment, the team member may be exposed to noise, heat, and other elements both inside and outside.
• Specific physical requirements include:

• • Climbing several flights of stairs and ladders.
  • Sitting for approximately 90% of the time while working on a personal computer.
  • Walking of two (2) or more miles per day.
  • Standing for extended periods of time.
  • Wearing PPE.

POET is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.