Director, North America Health and Safety
McCain Foods, Oakbrook Terrace, IL, United States
Position Title: Director, North America Health and Safety
Position Type: Regular – Full-Time
Requisition ID: 41550
About the Role This role will be responsible for developing and improving health & safety at McCain, driving strategic plans that are focused on culture and ensuring compliance with all legal and McCain’s broader vision for Health & Safety commitments, goals and approaches. The successful candidate will develop and implement strategies, policies, and initiatives to ensure continuous improvement, compliance with regulatory requirements and promote a strong culture across all operations.
What You’ll Be Doing This role will lead the development, implementation, and sustainment of the ISO Management system and continuous improvement (MDI) for North America Health and Safety, and lead the implementation of all company health & safety programs, creating ownership at all levels and accountability according to McCain NA Health & Safety policies.
Furthermore, the incumbent will:
Develop and implement the strategy to implement ISO Management system in North America, including the sustainment strategy
Lead the overall Capability strategy for NA including compliance requirements, training matrices, working closely with learning and development
Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of our NA Health & Safety program
Perform regulatory review and management for all sites in NA, including training on specific programs that affect the field
Perform regulatory and best practice-driven hazard/risk assessments and develop action plans to drive improvement.
Develop and present regional training programs aligned with corporate strategy to stakeholders at all levels of the organization
Lead Audit program for North America and develop reports on Health & Safety performance and tactical and strategic improvement planning for the region
Support external audits and closure of corrective action compliance
Collect, measure, and analyze regional and site Health & Safety metrics and performance indicators to identify trends for continuous improvement and corrective measures
Monitor, interpret, assess existing or emerging laws, regulations, regulatory policies, and industry practices; determine operational and business impacts and develop, integrate, communicate, and execute strategies throughout the region to manage Safety outcomes
Assist in the development of standardized safety systems, policies, training, safety campaigns and programs to reduce corporate and human capital risk, and ensure compliance with federal, provincial, and municipal laws
Align with McCain Global Environment, Health & Safety Corporate strategy to implement the corporate Environmental Health & Safety strategy
Design health & safety methods to motivate and influence the creation of a world‑class safety culture, engaging hearts and minds
Design and execute injury prevention programs/initiatives to minimize injury risk and create a loss analysis for the business
Implement standardized and actionable Health and Safety metrics, including leading and lagging indicators
Lead communication protocols to leadership teams to drive continuous Health & Safety improvement; evaluate strategy to reduce loss in workers’ compensation, recommending and implementing programs for improvement
Be accountable for the development and overall performance of direct reports
Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including operations, supply chain, and human resources, to integrate functional considerations into business processes and decision‑making
Coach incident investigation and root cause analysis efforts to identify trends, mitigate risks, and prevent recurrence of incidents
Manage relationships with regulatory agencies and industry organizations to stay abreast of emerging trends, regulations, and best practices
Prepare and present reports on performance, initiatives, and metrics to senior management and executive leadership
Drive a culture of safety and environmental stewardship by fostering employee engagement, training, and awareness programs
Provide technical direction and guidance regarding compliance to various levels in the organization
Lead cultural change to embrace new and improved health & safety ways of working programs and policies at all levels of the organization
Identify, develop and implement economically feasible solutions to issues/problems for the company's facilities
Participate in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, and site expansions as the SME, advising senior management on compliance status, costs, and technical improvements needed to achieve compliance
Contract with and direct activities of appropriate environmental, health & safety analysts, hygienists, consultants, engineers and suppliers
What You’ll Need To Be Successful
Bachelor’s degree in occupational health & safety, engineering or related field
10+ years of leadership in the function, driving culture change in large organizations
Expertise in change management and organizational structure implementation
Thorough knowledge of Occupational Safety Management Systems (e.g., ISO 45001, OHSAS 18001, OSHA’s VPP)
Experience in assessing companies against management systems (e.g., ISO 14001, ISO 45001, OSHA VPP)
Strong interpersonal skills with a track record of successful cross‑functional collaboration
Ability to interpret technical information and regulations, conduct tests, and inspect work areas for compliance
Familiarity with Canadian, U.S., federal, and local safety regulations
Excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills for strategic planning
Leadership abilities with experience in team management and independent work
Proficiency in budget preparation and management
Previous experience leading remote teams
Exceptional organizational, verbal, and written communication skills
Experience in report creation, updates, and presenting to executive leadership
Advanced knowledge of occupational safety programs, preferably in manufacturing, distribution, R&D, or retail
Ability to communicate technical safety requirements and execute strategies within a multidisciplinary team
Multi‑location operational management experience
Adaptability to dynamic and complex environments
Coaching and leadership skills for team development
Technical organization and strong follow‑up skills
Proficiency in project management with attention to detail
Ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize tasks effectively
Ideal Qualifications
Designation as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Safety & Health Manager (CSHM) or equivalent professional certification
Master of Science in Health & Safety, engineering, or industrial hygiene (asset)
Six Sigma methodology certification and practice (highly valued)
ISO Management System internal auditor experience
Travel Travel is required to support regional safety programs and the consistent management of global policies and procedures related to safety and the environment.
McCain Foods is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
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Position Type: Regular – Full-Time
Requisition ID: 41550
About the Role This role will be responsible for developing and improving health & safety at McCain, driving strategic plans that are focused on culture and ensuring compliance with all legal and McCain’s broader vision for Health & Safety commitments, goals and approaches. The successful candidate will develop and implement strategies, policies, and initiatives to ensure continuous improvement, compliance with regulatory requirements and promote a strong culture across all operations.
What You’ll Be Doing This role will lead the development, implementation, and sustainment of the ISO Management system and continuous improvement (MDI) for North America Health and Safety, and lead the implementation of all company health & safety programs, creating ownership at all levels and accountability according to McCain NA Health & Safety policies.
Furthermore, the incumbent will:
Develop and implement the strategy to implement ISO Management system in North America, including the sustainment strategy
Lead the overall Capability strategy for NA including compliance requirements, training matrices, working closely with learning and development
Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of our NA Health & Safety program
Perform regulatory review and management for all sites in NA, including training on specific programs that affect the field
Perform regulatory and best practice-driven hazard/risk assessments and develop action plans to drive improvement.
Develop and present regional training programs aligned with corporate strategy to stakeholders at all levels of the organization
Lead Audit program for North America and develop reports on Health & Safety performance and tactical and strategic improvement planning for the region
Support external audits and closure of corrective action compliance
Collect, measure, and analyze regional and site Health & Safety metrics and performance indicators to identify trends for continuous improvement and corrective measures
Monitor, interpret, assess existing or emerging laws, regulations, regulatory policies, and industry practices; determine operational and business impacts and develop, integrate, communicate, and execute strategies throughout the region to manage Safety outcomes
Assist in the development of standardized safety systems, policies, training, safety campaigns and programs to reduce corporate and human capital risk, and ensure compliance with federal, provincial, and municipal laws
Align with McCain Global Environment, Health & Safety Corporate strategy to implement the corporate Environmental Health & Safety strategy
Design health & safety methods to motivate and influence the creation of a world‑class safety culture, engaging hearts and minds
Design and execute injury prevention programs/initiatives to minimize injury risk and create a loss analysis for the business
Implement standardized and actionable Health and Safety metrics, including leading and lagging indicators
Lead communication protocols to leadership teams to drive continuous Health & Safety improvement; evaluate strategy to reduce loss in workers’ compensation, recommending and implementing programs for improvement
Be accountable for the development and overall performance of direct reports
Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including operations, supply chain, and human resources, to integrate functional considerations into business processes and decision‑making
Coach incident investigation and root cause analysis efforts to identify trends, mitigate risks, and prevent recurrence of incidents
Manage relationships with regulatory agencies and industry organizations to stay abreast of emerging trends, regulations, and best practices
Prepare and present reports on performance, initiatives, and metrics to senior management and executive leadership
Drive a culture of safety and environmental stewardship by fostering employee engagement, training, and awareness programs
Provide technical direction and guidance regarding compliance to various levels in the organization
Lead cultural change to embrace new and improved health & safety ways of working programs and policies at all levels of the organization
Identify, develop and implement economically feasible solutions to issues/problems for the company's facilities
Participate in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, and site expansions as the SME, advising senior management on compliance status, costs, and technical improvements needed to achieve compliance
Contract with and direct activities of appropriate environmental, health & safety analysts, hygienists, consultants, engineers and suppliers
What You’ll Need To Be Successful
Bachelor’s degree in occupational health & safety, engineering or related field
10+ years of leadership in the function, driving culture change in large organizations
Expertise in change management and organizational structure implementation
Thorough knowledge of Occupational Safety Management Systems (e.g., ISO 45001, OHSAS 18001, OSHA’s VPP)
Experience in assessing companies against management systems (e.g., ISO 14001, ISO 45001, OSHA VPP)
Strong interpersonal skills with a track record of successful cross‑functional collaboration
Ability to interpret technical information and regulations, conduct tests, and inspect work areas for compliance
Familiarity with Canadian, U.S., federal, and local safety regulations
Excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills for strategic planning
Leadership abilities with experience in team management and independent work
Proficiency in budget preparation and management
Previous experience leading remote teams
Exceptional organizational, verbal, and written communication skills
Experience in report creation, updates, and presenting to executive leadership
Advanced knowledge of occupational safety programs, preferably in manufacturing, distribution, R&D, or retail
Ability to communicate technical safety requirements and execute strategies within a multidisciplinary team
Multi‑location operational management experience
Adaptability to dynamic and complex environments
Coaching and leadership skills for team development
Technical organization and strong follow‑up skills
Proficiency in project management with attention to detail
Ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize tasks effectively
Ideal Qualifications
Designation as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Safety & Health Manager (CSHM) or equivalent professional certification
Master of Science in Health & Safety, engineering, or industrial hygiene (asset)
Six Sigma methodology certification and practice (highly valued)
ISO Management System internal auditor experience
Travel Travel is required to support regional safety programs and the consistent management of global policies and procedures related to safety and the environment.
McCain Foods is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
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