Manager, Health & Safety

Where Conviviality is at work.

Pernod Ricard is a global premium spirits and wine company. We’re the team behind leading brands such as ABSOLUT® Vodka, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, The Glenlivet® Gin, and Skrewball™ whiskey, as well as many more superior wines and exquisite champagnes! 

Working at Pernod Ricard is all about igniting conviviality in all that we do. Derived from the French word, convivialité…it means human connection, authenticity, friendly, and jovial. Conviviality is energy and spirit with a splash of je ne sais quoi and is a core philosophy around how we live and work at Pernod Ricard.   

Guided by our 4 core values: (1) grounded in the real; (2) fiercely authentic; (3) passion for challenge; and (4) connected beyond borders; we are team players, dream makers, trailblazers, movers and (cocktail) shakers. We have a passion for living life to the fullest, making new friends every day, and realizing our potential as people and as a business! 

The salary range for this role, based in Fort Smith, is $81,040.00 to $101,300.00. The range may vary if the role outside of this location.  Base salaries are determined during our interview process, by assessing a candidate’s experience, skills against internal peers and against the scope and responsibilities of the position.

Position Summary:

The Health & Safety Manager is a key leader at the production site level, responsible for driving a proactive, risk-based approach to health and safety management. This role ensures the effective implementation of corporate H&S strategies, standards, and compliance requirements while fostering a strong safety culture across all operational activities. The incumbent will lead initiatives that reduce risk, improve safety performance, and embed safety leadership within site operations. Responsibilities include conducting comprehensive risk assessments, analyzing safety data to identify trends, and implementing targeted interventions. The role also oversees machine safety programs, change management processes and ensuring alignment with Pernod Ricard’s strategic priorities and regulatory obligations.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Site-Level Management:

• Act as the primary H&S leader for the production site, partnering with site leadership to integrate safety into daily operations.
• Drive adoption of health and safety programs through strong leadership, coaching, and engagement with supervisors and employees.
• Champion a culture of accountability and continuous improvement in safety performance.

Risk-Based Approach:

• Lead the development and execution of site-specific hazard and risk assessments; identify and implement risk reduction strategies.
• Analyze safety metrics and incident trends to proactively address high-risk areas and prevent occupational injuries and illnesses.
• Promote leading indicators such as permit-to-work systems, behavior-based safety, and field-level risk assessments to strengthen incident prevention.

Operational Oversight:

• Conduct regular site inspections and audits to ensure compliance with policies and regulatory requirements.
• Manage machine safety programs, including robust change management processes for equipment and operational modifications.
• Coordinate and partner with Compliance Training Manager to  deliver safety training programs, including new worker orientations and specialized risk-based training.

Incident Management:

• Lead investigations of serious incidents (LTA, High Potential) using advanced root cause analysis techniques; implement corrective actions.
• Support Operations in Root Cause Analysis

Compliance & Continuous Improvement:

• Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory, and Pernod Ricard corporate standards, including QSE and ISO systems ( 14001, 45001).
• Partner with site leadership to evaluate existing safety programs, identify gaps, and implement innovative solutions.
• Prepare and present monthly safety performance reports and trend analyses to site and corporate leadership.

Required Skills & Abilities:

Technical Expertise:

• Strong knowledge of health and safety regulations, risk assessment methodologies, and ISO management systems.
• Experience in manufacturing, packaging, or bottling environments.
• Proficiency in safety data analysis and continuous improvement