Health and Safety Manager
About this job
Position Overview
The Health and Safety Manager leads and supports the implementation of safety programs within the Stella-Jones Steel Structures division, while providing coaching and mentorship to the OHS advisory team and operational leaders. The incumbent ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and corporate policies by serving as a strategic bridge between the Corporate EHS team and the Operations group, fostering a positive safety culture through effective communication, audits, and active field engagement.
Reporting directly to the General Manager, the incumbent will oversee health and safety across both the Candiac site (Quebec) and the Fayetteville site (Tennessee).
Responsibilities
Leadership and Supervision
Manage, mentor, and guide Health and Safety Advisors across assigned facilities to foster positive labour relations, innovation, and productivity, all in alignment with safety objectives.
Provide daily leadership, mentorship, and performance management.
Support and guide OHS Advisors and plant leadership through health and safety investigations, Health and Safety Committee (HSC) activities, and risk assessment processes.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external teams.
Recommend safety strategies and initiatives to Senior Leadership based on legislative requirements, industry best practices, analytical data, and employee needs.
Ensure Senior Leadership is provided with all necessary documentation, correspondence, and reports.
Program Implementation and Support
Translate corporate policies and programs into actionable site-level measures and ensure uniform enforcement across all facilities.
Lead the implementation and deployment of site-specific safety policies, programs, and standard procedures.
Track corrective actions, observations, and audit findings through to completion.
Verification and Audits
Plan and conduct internal safety audits across designated facilities.
Verify compliance with corporate programs and facility-specific safety processes.
Review audit findings with site teams and track action plan execution.
Operational Integration
Serve as the vital link between Operations teams and the Corporate EHS group.
Analyze safety trends, incident data, and program gaps to prioritize continuous improvement initiatives.
Field Presence and Engagement
Conduct regular site visits to provide hands-on coaching, lead safety walk-throughs, perform inspections, and conduct audits.
Promote teamwork and cross-facility sharing of best practices to elevate overall safety performance.
Deliver direct, hands-on support to Advisors in complex or high-risk situations, including serious incident response and contractor safety management. Take command of critical situations as required.
Reporting and Communications
Review and validate incident reports and near-miss investigations to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Prepare and present comprehensive reports and safety dashboards during regional and executive meetings.
Additional Responsibilities
Provide expert guidance, opinions, and conflict resolution support for major employee safety complaints or concerns through objective investigations and mediation.
Support Human Resources in managing workers’ compensation claims (CNESST / workers' comp), short- and long-term disability files, and related absence management.
Stay abreast of legislative changes and communicate updates to plants, OHS Advisors, and leadership.
Lead special safety program projects and initiatives.
Attend relevant industry training sessions and seminars to maintain continuous professional development.
Perform any other related duties required to support the organization’s operational and EHS objectives.
Required Skills & Competencies
Proven ability to lead and mentor health and safety teams while driving a strong safety culture and operational accountability.
In-depth understanding of OHS laws, regulations, standards, and best practices
specific to manufacturing and industrial environments (including Quebec and US/OSHA regulations).
Demonstrated experience in hazard identification, incident investigations, and managing complex or high-risk incidents with a calm, solution-oriented approach.
Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization while building constructive professional relationships.
Proven track record implementing safety programs, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), ensuring compliance and continuous improvement on the floor.
Ability to conduct audits, analyze safety metrics and trends, and develop actionable plans that yield measurable improvements.
Demonstrated ability to handle critical situations and high-stakes concerns with professionalism, objectivity, and sound judgment.
Comfortable navigating dynamic, fast-paced environments with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure or during emergencies.
Ability to effectively manage multiple competing priorities and projects while maintaining high standards and rigorous follow-up.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or a related equivalent field.
Experience: 7 to 10 years of relevant OHS experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
Languages: Bilingual in English and French (mandatory) to effectively support both the Canadian site (Candiac) and the US site (Fayetteville, TN).
Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and comfort working with various software tools and EHS management systems.
Travel: Willing and able to travel to the United States approximately 15% to 20% of the time.