VP of Safety and Risk – Large Scale Manufacturing

Are you a strategic safety leader with deep expertise in risk management within high-volume industrial environments? We are seeking a VP of Safety and Risk to join a prominent large-scale manufacturing organization based in Tampa, FL. This is a critical executive role responsible for driving a culture of safety, regulatory compliance, and proactive risk mitigation across multi-site operations. If you’re passionate about creating world-class safety programs and leading impactful change, we want to hear from you.

Lead Safety & Risk Strategy at a Leading Manufacturing Operation

A major manufacturing organization headquartered in Tampa, FL is looking for a visionary VP of Safety and Risk to lead its enterprise-wide health, safety, and risk management initiatives. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record in developing and executing EHS strategies, managing complex risk portfolios, and ensuring OSHA and regulatory compliance in fast-paced production environments. This is your opportunity to protect people, assets, and reputation while influencing a strong safety-first culture across the organization.

Key Responsibilities of the VP of Safety and Risk – Large Scale Manufacturing

Safety Leadership & Culture:
Develop and champion a proactive safety culture across all manufacturing sites. Lead the implementation of safety initiatives that prioritize employee well-being, reduce incidents, and foster an environment of continuous improvement in health and safety practices.

Risk Management Strategy:
Design and execute comprehensive risk management programs that identify, assess, and mitigate operational, environmental, and financial risks. Implement enterprise risk frameworks aligned with business objectives and regulatory standards.

Regulatory Compliance & Standards:
Ensure full compliance with OSHA, EPA, DOT, and other relevant federal, state, and local safety regulations. Maintain robust auditing processes, documentation, and reporting to regulatory agencies and company leadership.

Operational Safety Oversight:
Oversee safety protocols, hazard assessments, incident investigations, and corrective actions. Partner with operations, engineering, and maintenance teams to embed safety into daily practices and capital projects.

Emergency Preparedness & Crisis Management:
Lead the development and execution of emergency response plans, disaster recovery strategies, and crisis communication protocols. Coordinate drills and training to ensure organizational readiness.

Training & Employee Engagement:
Establish and manage safety training programs that enhance awareness, accountability, and competency. Engage employees at all levels through communication, recognition, and participation in safety committees and initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Work closely with executive leadership, HR, legal, and operations teams to align safety and risk goals with overall business strategy. Ensure safety initiatives support production efficiency and quality objectives.

Insurance & Claims Management:
Oversee insurance coverage and claims related to workers’ compensation, general liability, and property risk. Collaborate with brokers, adjusters, and legal teams to manage costs and reduce claim frequency and severity.

Data Analysis & Reporting:
Leverage safety performance data and analytics to monitor trends, identify root causes, and drive data-informed decision-making. Provide regular updates to executive leadership on key metrics, risk exposures, and improvement plans.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation:
Implement best-in-class practices and pursue innovative technologies and systems that enhance safety outcomes and risk visibility. Stay ahead of industry trends to ensure the organization remains a leader in safety and risk performance.

What the Client is Looking for in You

As the VP of Safety and Risk – Large Scale Manufacturing, the client is seeking a transformative safety leader with a deep understanding of risk management in complex, high-volume production environments. You should bring a strategic mindset, operational rigor, and a passion for fostering a culture of safety excellence. The ideal candidate is a proactive, decisive executive who thrives in large industrial settings and can align risk and compliance with business performance goals.

Proven Safety Leadership in Manufacturing

The client is looking for a results-driven safety professional with significant experience in leading environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs within large-scale manufacturing or industrial operations. A demonstrated history of reducing incidents, improving compliance, and instilling a safety-first culture across multiple facilities is highly valued.

Strategic Risk Management Expertise

You must have a strong background in identifying, assessing, and mitigating enterprise risks. The client is seeking someone who can design and implement risk management frameworks that proactively address operational, environmental, and regulatory challenges, while aligning with long-term business goals.

Strong Regulatory Knowledge and Compliance Leadership

Deep expertise in OSHA, EPA, DOT, and other regulatory requirements is essential. The client values professionals who can ensure consistent compliance, prepare for audits, and navigate complex regulatory environments with confidence and clarity.

Crisis Management & Emergency Preparedness

Experience in building and leading robust emergency response, disaster recovery, and business continuity plans is crucial. The client wants a leader who can act quickly, communicate clearly, and mobilize teams effectively in high-pressure situations.

Data-Driven Decision Maker

The ability to interpret safety metrics, incident reports, and risk analyses is critical. The client seeks a leader who can use data and insights to drive decisions, shape policy, and measure the impact of safety and risk initiatives across the organization.

Team Development & Cross-Functional Influence

You should be an inspirational leader who can build, mentor, and empower high-performing safety teams. Experience in collaborating with operations, legal, HR, and executive leadership to integrate safety and risk into core business functions is essential.

Change Agent & Continuous Improvement Advocate

The ideal candidate brings a mindset of continuous improvement and innovation. You should be skilled in implementing systems, technologies, and best practices that elevate safety standards and enhance operational resilience.

Ethical Integrity and Accountability

The client highly values a VP who leads with integrity, transparency, and accountability. You must be committed to upholding ethical standards, ensuring safe work environments, and protecting both people and the organization’s reputation.

FAQs About the Role – Vice President of Safety and Risk – Large Scale Manufacturing

1. What are the key responsibilities of the VP of Safety and Risk in this role?
As the VP of Safety and Risk, you will lead the development and implementation of comprehensive safety and risk management strategies across large-scale manufacturing facilities. Your responsibilities will include ensuring regulatory compliance, mitigating operational and environmental risks, and leading emergency preparedness initiatives. You will also oversee safety performance metrics, manage risk-related insurance claims, and drive a culture of safety and continuous improvement within the organization.

2. What qualifications and experience are required for this position?
The ideal candidate should have significant experience in a senior leadership role within safety and risk management in large-scale manufacturing or industrial operations. Expertise in regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA, DOT) and a strong background in risk assessment, emergency response, and employee safety programs are essential. A bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health, Engineering, or a related field is required, and an advanced degree or relevant certifications (such as CSP or CHMM) is a plus.

3. What leadership qualities are essential for this role?
The client is looking for a leader with exceptional strategic thinking, decision-making skills, and the ability to influence across departments. You should have strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with teams, senior leadership, regulatory bodies, and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate should have a proactive approach to risk management and a deep commitment to creating a safety-first culture in all operational areas.

4. What challenges can I expect in this role?
In this role, you will encounter challenges such as managing safety standards across multiple facilities, ensuring compliance with constantly evolving regulations, and addressing emergency response situations in high-pressure environments. You will also need to balance the operational demands of large-scale manufacturing with the need to minimize risk and protect both employees and company assets.

5. What is the expected impact of the VP of Safety and Risk on the company’s operations?
The VP of Safety and Risk is expected to play a critical role in reducing workplace incidents, enhancing safety culture, and minimizing operational risks. Your efforts in improving safety practices will directly contribute to the organization’s efficiency, reduce downtime, improve employee morale, and ensure compliance with regulations, all of which have a significant impact on overall operational success.

6. What is the company’s culture and work environment like?
The company fosters a safety-conscious, collaborative, and results-driven culture. They place a high value on continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability. The work environment is fast-paced and requires a strategic leader who can prioritize safety while driving performance and operational excellence. As the VP of Safety and Risk, you will have the opportunity to shape the company’s safety culture, ensuring that it aligns with the company’s goals of operational excellence and risk management.

What Remuneration Can You Expect from This Job?

As the VP of Safety and Risk for a large-scale manufacturing company in Tampa, FL, you can expect a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation package designed to attract top-tier executive talent in the safety and risk management field. The remuneration for this role typically includes:

1. Base Salary
The base salary for the VP of Safety and Risk in a large-scale manufacturing setting varies based on company size, industry position, and geographic location. For this role, the annual base salary typically ranges from $180,000 to $250,000, with larger or multinational companies potentially offering even higher salaries based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

2. Performance-Based Bonuses
In addition to the base salary, the VP of Safety and Risk is eligible for annual performance-based bonuses. These bonuses are tied to key performance indicators such as safety improvements, risk reduction, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. Performance bonuses can range from 20% to 40% of the base salary, depending on individual and organizational performance.

3. Equity & Stock Options
For executive roles in large manufacturing companies, equity-based incentives like stock options or performance shares may be part of the compensation package. These incentives align the VP’s interests with long-term company performance and shareholder value, offering significant financial rewards over time.

4. Profit-Sharing & Long-Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs)
Many large-scale manufacturing companies offer profit-sharing or LTIPs to executives, which reward sustained performance and company growth. These long-term incentives focus on ensuring the VP is committed to the company’s ongoing success, with rewards tied to achieving operational milestones or long-term profitability.

5. Executive Benefits & Perks
The VP of Safety and Risk will receive comprehensive executive benefits, including:

Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) or pension plans with company contributions
Executive retirement plans
Company-provided vehicles or allowances for business-related travel
Executive wellness programs
Expense accounts for business development, safety conferences, and networking

6. Signing Bonuses & Relocation Assistance
For highly qualified candidates, the company may offer signing bonuses or relocation assistance packages to attract top-tier talent. These one-time incentives can range from $30,000 to $100,000 depending on the candidate’s experience and relocation needs.

Total Compensation Potential

When considering base salary, bonuses, equity, profit-sharing, and additional executive benefits, the total compensation for the VP of Safety and Risk can range from $250,000 to $400,000 annually. For larger companies or those with more complex operations, total compensation could exceed this range.

How to Apply

If you are a strategic leader with extensive experience in safety management, risk mitigation, and operational excellence in a large-scale manufacturing environment, we invite you to apply for the VP of Safety and Risk role in Tampa, FL. This is a unique opportunity to shape the safety and risk management strategies of a leading manufacturing company and ensure long-term business success through operational safety and compliance.

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your experience in safety leadership, risk management strategies, regulatory compliance, and your success in reducing operational risks. Highlight your ability to implement safety programs, lead cross-functional teams, and drive performance improvements across large manufacturing operations.

This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the safety culture and risk management practices of a leading manufacturing organization. If you are ready to take your career to the next level as the VP of Safety and Risk, apply today and help shape the future of safety and operational excellence.

For more information or to explore similar executive opportunities, visit our Manufacturing Leadership Executive Recruiters Page.

Job Category: Large Scale Manufacturing

Job Type: Full Time

Job Location: Tampa

VP of Safety and Risk – Tampa, FL | Large Scale Manufacturing