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Manager Safety & Compliance

Joliet, IL, USA|Travel, Onsite

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
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Compensation

Salary
Range $104,600.00 - $130,700.00
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Work Schedule

Standard Hours
On-call
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Benefits

Annual bonus
Employee share investment program
pension
Railroad Retirement benefits
Health Insurance
Paid Time Off
Professional development opportunities

Job Description

CN is a leading North American railroad company with a rich history dating back to 1919. It operates an extensive 20,000-mile rail network connecting Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the United States. As a vital part of the continent's economy, CN transports over 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods every year. Known for its unwavering commitment to safety, service, and sustainability, CN strives to be the safest, most inclusive, and environmentally responsible railroad. The company fosters a close-knit culture that values employees as part of a unified team, focusing on continuous improvement and long-term career development through paid training and recognition of hard work.

The position of Manager Safety & Compliance at CN is crucial in maintaining and enhancing safety standards across CN's Dock and Transload properties, as well as its Automotive Business units. This role offers a competitive hiring salary range of $104,600 to $130,700, with the exact salary determined based on individual skills and experience. Employees in this role are also eligible for an annual bonus, participation in the employee share investment program (ESIP), pension plans, railroad retirement benefits, and various other perks.

The Manager Safety & Compliance is responsible for driving a comprehensive safety and compliance program that aligns with multiple regulatory requirements, including provincial, federal, and state jurisdictions. The role involves assessing the safety culture of various locations, developing strategic plans to improve safety leadership, training, and integrating technology to heighten safety awareness and compliance. The incumbent will work closely with local facility management and regional teams, ensuring adherence to safety management systems (SMS) and local safety action plans.

This position demands a thorough understanding of supply chains, the handling and transloading of various commodities including dangerous goods, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments. The candidate will lead safety initiatives, manage projects to completion, analyze safety data to identify trends, and provide critical reports to senior leadership, including the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President Safety.

Additionally, the Manager will facilitate safety training programs tailored to the needs of different locations and engage with union members and leadership to promote safe work practices. The role includes oversight of approximately 300 employees across 30 locations in North America, requiring extensive travel—up to 50%—across the U.S. and Canada. The work environment combines office duties and outdoor exposure to diverse weather conditions, with an on-call availability to respond to critical incidents.

Strong communication skills are essential for effective collaboration and for maintaining integrity in safety reporting. The role also involves participating in safety committees, improving safety management system platforms, ensuring emergency response plans are compliant, and staying informed about regulations such as Fall Protection, WHMIS, contractor safety, and more. The candidate must be capable of managing external consultants, budgeting for safety projects, and using advanced data analytics tools like SAP and Business Warehouse.

This career opportunity at CN not only allows an individual to contribute significantly to workplace safety and operational excellence but also to grow within a company that values inclusivity, sustainability, and social responsibility. Candidates are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet every criterion, as CN is committed to diversity and accommodating candidates throughout the recruitment process.

Job Requirements

  • Minimum 7 years of relevant field experience
  • Experience with emergency response and spill response
  • Experience in project management
  • Experience in management of professional consultants
  • Experience in contaminated sites management
  • Experience in operating and capital budget forecasting, planning and management
  • Experience with railway operating rules
  • Engineering degree or bachelor of science degree with preference for environmental science
  • Post-secondary education in safety industrial hygiene
  • Safety industrial hygiene certification
  • Ability to follow safety procedures, information security instructions and ESC principles
  • Ability to address risks in a timely manner
  • Ability to continuously improve safety processes
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills
  • Analytical thinking skills
  • Innovation without compromising safety
  • Accountability to meet performance expectations
  • Ability to communicate effectively in French is an asset
  • Willingness to travel up to 50%
  • Ability to handle pressure, ambiguity, and stress
  • Availability on-call 24/7 to respond to critical incidents

Job Qualifications

  • Engineering degree or bachelor of science degree preferably in environmental science or environment
  • Post-secondary education in safety industrial hygiene
  • Safety industrial hygiene certification
  • Experience with emergency response and spill response
  • Experience in project management
  • Experience in management of professional consultants
  • Experience in contaminated sites management
  • Experience in operating and capital budget forecasting, planning and management
  • Experience with railway operating rules
  • Ability to use CN systems to extract safety data including SAP and Business Warehouse
  • Knowledge in technical safety
  • Ability to interpret safety reporting criteria as defined by FRA reporting guide
  • Strong knowledge of Excel
  • Knowledge of Canadian transportation of dangerous goods regulation
  • Involvement in a safety committee
  • Experience in preparing reports, procedures, and standards
  • Effective oral and written communication in French is an asset

Job Duties

  • Facilitate numerous safety initiatives across multiple locations to drive safety performance and support regions and functions
  • Manage projects through to completion and implementation in the field
  • Monitor adherence to safety and compliance standards including federal and state provincial jurisdictional requirements
  • Analyze safety data to identify trends, exposures or opportunities
  • Drive and participate in integrated audits and reports
  • Provide information to senior executives relative to safety performance
  • Develop and conduct safety training tailored to locational requirements
  • Develop short, medium and long term plans to drive sustainable changes to safety management programs
  • Ensure hazard prevention program regulation compliance and communication
  • Engage with union members and leadership on safe work practices
  • Produce regular business and corporate safety data
  • Interface with IT for system changes and enhancements
  • Conduct safety tests and improve safety procedures in the safety management system
  • Update governance reports based on feedback
  • Support the field for safety management system
  • Ensure safety intranet development is regularly updated
  • Ensure emergency response plan compliance
  • Stay informed on safety regulation updates
  • Coordinate injury reports with appropriate personnel
  • Participate quarterly with safety and health committees

Job Criteria

Experience

Expert Level (7+ years)


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