Safety Manager at Heartland F P G – Indianapolis, Indiana

Heartland Food Products Group is a global leader in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, producing low-calorie sweeteners, coffee, coffee creamers and liquid water enhancers. We manufacture and market Splenda, the #1 brand in the low calorie sweetener category and the most recognized in the world.

We make coffee, tea and water taste better and help people live happier, healthier and longer lives by making it easy to reduce sugar.

We offer an excellent compensation and benefits package. Come grow with us!

Position Summary

We are seeking a proactive and hands-on Safety Manager to lead and continuously improve our safety programs within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. This role partners closely with Operations, Quality, and Engineering to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements while building a strong, behavior-based safety culture.

The ideal candidate is both a strategic thinker and a floor-focused leader who drives engagement, reduces risk, and champions employee safety at every level. This role plays a key part in supporting food safety principles, including alignment with FSMA requirements, by ensuring a safe and compliant production environment.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of site-wide safety programs in a food manufacturing setting.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and applicable food industry safety and sanitation standards.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Sanitation to integrate safety into all processes.
• Drive a behavior-based safety culture through employee engagement, coaching, and leadership visibility on the plant floor.
• Conduct risk assessments, job hazard analyses (JHAs), and safety audits to proactively identify and mitigate hazards.
• Lead incident investigations, including root cause analysis (RCA), and ensure timely and effective corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
• Monitor, analyze, and report safety KPIs (TRIR, near misses, etc.) to identify trends and drive continuous improvement.
• Support compliance with FSMA-related programs by ensuring safe practices that align with food safety and quality standards.
• Oversee contractor safety programs and ensure compliance during plant projects and maintenance activities.
• Collaborate with training teams to deliver effective safety training and ensure regulatory requirements are met.
• Manage hazardous materials and waste programs, ensuring proper handling, documentation, and regulatory compliance.
• Support industrial hygiene efforts, including exposure monitoring and corrective actions.
• Serve as a safety subject matter expert and coach leaders at all levels to strengthen accountability and ownership.
• All other duties as assigned.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Safety, Environmental Health, Industrial Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of EHS experience in manufacturing; food or beverage industry strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, process safety, and food manufacturing safety considerations.
• Experience supporting or working alongside FSMA, GMP, and sanitation programs.
• Proven ability to influence and engage employees at all levels—from frontline operators to senior leadership.
• Strong problem-solving skills with experience in RCA and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution in a dynamic production environment.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to make a visible impact on employee safety and plant performance.
• Collaborative, team-oriented environment with strong cross-functional partnership.
• Fast-paced food manufacturing setting with opportunities for growth and advancement.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment, including walking the production floor daily.
• Must be able to physically perform the functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods of time while utilizing computers, telephones and other electronic media.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including occasional weekends or extended shifts.