ResponsAble Safety Staffing recently partnered with a major agricultural manufacturer to help rebuild its safety culture through a strategic Direct Hire placement. This case study explores what makes a great Safety Director, how the right leadership can transform an industrial workforce, and how ResponsAble delivers staffing solutions that transform morale, compliance, and performance.
Key Takeaways:
- Strong safety leadership can rebuild trust and reduce incidents.
- ResponsAble’s Direct Hire process ensures skill and culture fit in industrial environments.
- The right hire can transform an industrial safety program.
What makes a good Safety Leader?
A good leader is more than the designated person in charge. When a new hire enters a safety leadership position, like Safety Director or Safety Manager, they must coordinate a group of people who need expert advice, ongoing motivation, and some kind of technical support on a consistent basis. Effective safety leadership in industrial environments combines knowledge of one’s craft and an assortment of hard-to-find soft skills.
Soft Skills are Critical in Safety Leadership
No matter what industry, being good with people is really important for the success of the role. Now consider the added element of safety. A deep understanding of the industry cannot be overemphasized. However, it is not enough to be technically experienced, credentialed, and an excellent communicator – the best Safety leaders have a vision.
Here’s the reality: many safety roles are filled to meet compliance requirements. Those hires are not necessarily passionate about risk management. But, a good safety leader is – they have a vision for safety and the leadership skills to make it happen.
What does it mean to have a safety vision?
A safety vision is a clear plan that aligns people, processes, and leadership around a shared safety goal. But, planning isn’t the whole equation – a good safety leader executes. They inspire others to help them improve the workplace safety culture or cultivate a new one if needed. Great leaders invite others to take initiative and own their jobs. This kind of industrial workforce engagement will drive continuous improvement.
Safety leaders empower their employees to understand their value and their vital role for the safety of the whole. Conveying that everyone matters isn’t a nice sentiment, it’s critical to operational success.
What happens when Safety Culture slips through the cracks?
The client, a large agricultural cooperative in the Midwest, operates one of the most advanced processing plants in the country. When they reached out to our Direct Hire recruiters at ResponsAble Safety Staffing, they were in a tight spot. They weren’t just looking for a list of qualifications; they needed a safety leader who could rebuild trust within the department.
The plant had struggled to stabilize its safety department with previous leadership. Incidents had increased, morale was low, and the safety culture was in decline. With hundreds of regional growers and thousands of tons of product moving through the system daily, precision and downtime were non-negotiable – any workforce gaps directly impact production and profitability. Without the right person in charge, a downward spiral seemed certain.
The Challenge
Rebuilding Trust Through the Right Safety Hire
The plant’s hiring manager wanted to find a candidate who would really connect with their team – someone who would get out and lead from the floor. As EHS Recruiter Kevin McCann explained:
“They were having serious problems with their previous safety director. He treated people poorly, wasn’t making any improvements, and didn’t like to come out of his office – he just tried to manage safety from afar. The incident rate did go up. But, he just wouldn’t make an effort to make corrections.”
“I’ve heard that with the last four or five customers I’ve worked with: the people they have in there aren’t doing anything, and they don’t care… These people just aren’t passionate about safety and how to build the culture. ”
So, Kevin began searching for a Safety Manager with the right combination of technical experience in food processing and a certain kind of leadership presence. Ultimately, they needed someone with incredible people skills to bring the safety message to life and develop the program.
“We needed the perfect balance of a critical thinker and a coach,” said Talent Acquisition and Development Manager Scott.
After starting the Direct Hire process, ResponsAble was uniquely positioned to understand the nuances of the role and the urgency behind it. Through ResponsAble’s Direct Hire program for industrial staffing, clients gain access to an extensive network of safety professionals.
The Search
ResponsAble’s Direct Hire Process for Industrial Staffing
ResponsAble’s Direct Hire team began by sitting down with HR and the Talent Acquisition Manager, then performing a deep dive into the company. As a food manufacturing facility, the safety demands are incredibly high amid the intense work environment. But, when employees are well placed, they stay for the long haul. So, finding the right fit for long-term leadership alignment was crucial.
“People say it all the time: they don’t want a safety cop, they want people to help the employees do their tasks in a safer manner. We don’t want bullies,” explained Kevin, Direct Hire Recruiter at ResponsAble.
Instead of relying on job boards, ResponsAble used a multi-channel sourcing strategy including targeted outreach to qualified industrial candidates in ResponsAble’s national database as well as industry-specific job boards and trusted referral networks. The solution came from an internal referral within the hiring database at ResponsAble.
Then, the Direct Hire team presented several candidates, each vetted for technical skills, management experience, and cultural fit. Among them were two strong contenders: a proven EHS leader with a background in food processing, and an experienced safety professional known for his calm confidence and ability to connect with crews. Both traveled for interviews on site.
The Hire
Proven Safety Manager with Manufacturing Experience
After a series of interviews, the choice was clear. An industrial safety manager named Alvin was selected. His natural communication skills, steady leadership style, and relatable presence stood out immediately. He exemplified exactly the approach the client was looking for: a natural enthusiasm and a strong belief that the heart of any strong safety culture is people. Most importantly, he had the vision to back it up.
“We have to create a safe and healthy workplace. It serves as the foundation for all safety initiatives and decisions,” commented Alvin, Direct Hire Safety Candidate.
Long-Term Success
A Renewed Safety Culture
Where there had been frustration, there was now direction. Alvin plans to work closely with leadership to reestablish priorities, rebuild trust, and set clear expectations for accountability. This successful placement highlights how ResponsAble’s industrial staffing expertise supports long-term workforce stability and safety performance improvement.
“Kevin is very knowledgeable and responsive. We work in a fast paced environment, so I appreciate Kevin’s quick turnaround,” said Scott, Talent Acquisition and Development Manager.
Kevin maintained close contact with both the client and candidate throughout the transition — a hallmark of ResponsAble’s high-touch recruiting model.
“The candidate and I had a great working relationship, and we talked two or three times a day sometimes. Since we got the offer letter, he’s been wrapping up big projects where he’s working now and packing his things with his wife to move. He was so impressive – just his communication style and his knowledge of the industry. It was a joy.”
Alvin’s successful placement has opened the door for additional hires and a renewed partnership with ResponsAble, as the company looks to expand its leadership team.
“Kevin has been outstanding to work with. He is highly hands-on, consistently professional, and demonstrates a positive attitude in every interaction.” – Alvin, Direct Hire Safety Candidate
The story is more than a successful placement – it’s proof that hiring right the first time can change everything.
Ready to Hire Once — and Hire Right?
If your team is facing similar challenges in leadership, low morale, or high turnover, ResponsAble can help you find the right fit the first time.
Contact ResponsAble to start the conversation.
We are looking to hire a Safety Director. What should we look for?
Pro Tip from Responsable’s Safety Staffing Experts
Look for safety professionals who speak the language. Your best day as a safety leader is only as good as the most unsafe person on the job site. But, you’re not looking for a safety cop. Aim to hire a safety professional who can quickly identify that unsafe person, correct the behavior in a non-confrontational way, and then enact a plan for improvement. It’s a balance of vigilance, clear communication, and action. The ability to influence behavior is the only way to change behavior – a good safety leader is someone who inspires action through their shared vision.