Job Title:
Safety Manager
Company: Green Circle Growers
Location: Oberlin, OH
Created: 2026-03-16
Job Type: Full Time
Job Description:
Green Circle Growers was founded in 1968 by John van Wingerden. With just a few acres, Green Circle Growers began selling to other companies like variety stores, lumber yards, hardware stores, and grocery stores. Today, Green Circle Growers is still owned and operated by the van Wingerden familyand has grown to over 170 acres of indoor growing space. Our state-of-the-art greenhouses offer many different environments to keep up with the demanding mix of products that today's market expects. We now provide plants to regional and national stores across the United States and Canada. We are able to market and offer broad products to mass merchants, as well as to growers. The retail market expects the full line of annuals in flats, containers, and baskets. The grower line produces pre-finished containers, plugs, and liners.POSITION OVERVIEW:The Safety Manager leads the development and execution of a comprehensive safety, health, and environmental program supporting large-scale greenhouse operations. This role ensures full compliance with OSHA and other regulatory standards while actively promoting a strong, proactive safety culture across greenhouse production, shipping, maintenance, and logistics teams. The position provides safety leadership for Green Circle Growers, Fresh2U Transportation, and Express Seed Company, with a focus on regulatory compliance, safety directive implementation, continuous improvement in safety performance, and alignment of facility policies with governmental requirements.JOB DUTIES:Identify best practices and lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce work process risks, raise safety awareness, and improve safety work practicesConduct or coordinate worker training in areas such as safety standards and regulations, hazardous condition monitoring, and use of safety equipmentPerform safety audits and inspect facilities, machinery, and safety equipment to identify and correct potential hazards and ensure safety regulation complianceProvide technical advice, coaching, guidance, training, and mentoring to company leaders and team members on safety initiatives and necessary changesPrepare and continuously update written safety and health programs and policies Serves as the primary liaison between the company and OSHA; escort OSHA Compliance officers through facility upon inspection or audit; and support necessary follow-upPrepare and manage OSHA 301, 300, 300a reporting and ensure compliance, communication, and posting in necessary areasRespond to and investigate all industrial accidents, near-miss incidents, and occupational injuries to provide injury first response, determine causes, install preventive measures, and manage return-to-work activitiesWork closely with Workers' Compensation third party administrator (TPA) to assist in claims managementAssist in coordination of Workers' Compensation return-to-work activities, including restrictions, temporary light-duty job offers, follow-up appointments, transportation arrangements, etc.Coordinate and lead Green Circle Growers Safety Committee including annual training, meeting agenda and minutes, safety inspection reports, and follow-up as necessaryLead and track safety recognition programs for all facilities and shiftsOrder and maintain facility safety inventory programs including supplies and equipmentLead and oversee the Green Circle Growers Sanitation Team, including hiring and training, performance management, coaching and mentoring, and other managerial tasksAll other duties as assignedQUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:Bachelor's degree in safety science, occupational health, environmental science, engineering, industrial hygiene, or related discipline or relevant experience3-7+ years of experience leading or coordinating safety in a manufacturing, agriculture, greenhouse, or industrial environment1-2+ years of experience in a supervisory role1-2+ years of experience with Workers' Compensation coordinationStrong knowledge of OSHA regulations and safety implementationExperience delivering safety training to diverse and multilingual workforcesCertified Safety Professional (CSP) or other relevant certification preferredIntermediate skills in Microsoft Office Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence othersStrong organizational, detail orientation, and analytical skillsBilingual in Spanish preferredPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT & REQUIREMENTS:Climate-controlled office or home office environmentContinuously requires vision, hearing, twisting, and talkingFrequently requires sitting, standing, fine dexterity, and handlingOccasionally requires walking, climbing stairs, lifting (up to 20lbs), carrying, reaching, kneeling, pushing/pulling, bending, and crouchingRarely requires climbing