Milton Vicenteno

Experience

• 

  Mars

  Dec 1990 - May 2006

  Safety Security Environmental (SSE) Engineer

  ► Managed all facets of the Safety, Health, Security and regulatory compliance of 600 associates and 200+ temporary workers, contractors in a 1.5m square foot Chicago-land manufacturing facility.• Led, trained, communicated and drove progression of Safety, Health, Environmental and Security programs and systems.• Provided safety support and was heavily involved prior, during and post construction of new production lines.• Led Incident Investigations to identify the root cause of incident and recommended solutions to eliminate reoccurrences.• Managed a continuous improvement team that identified, analyzed and evaluated safety and health programs, marketed/promoted safety, and created reward programs for the facility.• Acted as a technical resource, advisor and council to site leadership team and managers on SES matters.• Managed, maintained and improved SES standards. Show less

• 

  Chiquita / Fresh Express

  May 2006 - Jan 2012

  EHS leader for three manufacturing retail/food service facilities and one distribution center with 600+ employees.► Responsible for all facets of the Safety, Health, Security and regulatory compliance of 600+ associates and 300+ temps/contractors in four Chicago-land manufacturing and distribution center facilities. A safety resource and liaison for the Midwest facilities, national and internationally sites. Ensure full compliance with local, state and federal laws (OSHA, FDA, EPA).• Established and implemented processes to identify, evaluate and control potential safety and security risks at each facility that include employees, temporary workers, contractors and their activities, operations and materials.• Aggressively managed Workers’ Compensation program, processes and established liaison with WC insurance carriers, attorneys and medical providers to ensure efficient case processing, management and minimize costs and exposure to the region.• Influenced and maintained strong partnership with directors, managers, supervisors and leadership teams to ensure their support and commitment to all safety processes, policies and programs.• Maintained regional metric measurement system with focus on leading indicators. Provided monthly performance reporting to Senior Management. Compiled data and analyzed statistics for trend analysis and identified specific training needs.• Worked closely with Human Resource team to lead people strategies, business development, labor relations and change management. Show less ► Led and responsible for continuous improvement of employee safety and environmental performance, developing and implementing EHS policies, programs, standards, and training, supporting product compliance and sustainability initiatives. Provided safety and risk management guidance and solutions within staffing, manufacturing, distribution, and construction working environments. Extensive experience within union and non-union working environments.Specific Successes and Highlights (Chiquita and Fresh Express Regional and local positions):✭ Since 2006, through the implementation of new safety programs, policies and reward programs, we exceeded all Safety Goals. Overall, decreased Incidents by 80%, OSHA Recordables by 95%, injury/illness rate by 90%, Lost Time Accidents (LTA) by 100%, Insurance Claims by 60% and Severity Index Rate by 98%.✭ Significant cost savings to Workers’ Compensation Total incurred of $968,000 or 85% improvement since 2010.✭ Led the efforts to achieve 1,000,000 hours without a Lost Time Accident regionally and at one Chicago facility in 2011.✭ Played an integral role in achieving the Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) at the Chicago facilities – first in the industry 2010. Show less

  • Regional - Safety, Security and Health Manager

    May 2008 - Jan 2012

  • Safey, Security and Health Manager

    May 2006 - May 2008
• 

  American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)

  Sept 2008 - Jan 2009

  Vice President - Greater Chicago Chapter

  Founded in 1911, ASSE is a global association providing professional development and representation for those engaged in the practice of safety, health and the environment and those providing services to the private and public sectors to protect people, property and the environment.(NOTE: This is not a job but a voluntary service to ASSE and the SH&E profession and professionals that it represent. I am not an employee of ASSE, just a professional member involved in activities of the Society). Show less

• 

  Chiquita Brands International

  May 2012 - Nov 2015

  Corporate - Environmental, Health and Safety Manager - North America

  Chiquita Brands International operates in 70 countries and employs 20,000 people.► Leading NA EHS and Security efforts and the management of safety support staff for all business operations include manufacturing sites, distribution centers, ports and agricultural operations that continue to exceed compliance standards and deliver sustainable EHS results.• Influenced sites, stakeholders and leaders toward the development and implementation of corporate EHS initiatives, strategies, projects and standards of performance in accordance with Safety, Environmental, Security and Sustainability Policies, Programs and Standards.• Provided leadership, direction and mentorship for all Manufacturing, DC/Ports and agricultural sites in setting EHS objectives and driving the development of a high performing EHS community.• Mitigated risk - developed, implemented, and evaluated safety and prevention programs to foster a safe working culture.• Generated framework for the development and implementation of EHS management systems and manufacturing process system controls to lead, communicate and drive progression at all NA sites.• Delivered EHS technical and strategic advice, expertise, train and counsel to EHS leaders and committees.• Conveyed clear/consistent communication of corporate EHS targets, best practices and requirements across all sites.• Spearheaded and developed innovative strategies to protect employees, the environment/sustainability, assets and properties to minimize impact from incident.• Instilled a safety culture through the identification of EHS opportunities, adherence to established standards, OSHA compliance, transfer of best practice and development of technologies• Developed and conducted EHS audits of unit/site compliance with corporate and legislative requirements and to measure overall performance. Provide recommendations for improvement• Analyzed and discovered site level emerging trends within EHS engineering and people management. Show less

• 

  Hearthside Food Solutions

  Nov 2015 - now

  Hearthside Food Solutions, headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, is the largest independent baker in the U.S. and a full-service contract manufacturer of high quality, grain-based food and snack products for some of the world’s leading premier brands. Hearthside’s asset base and core competencies are focused on four Platform Categories: bars, cookies & crackers, granolas & cereals, snack components and customized packaging solutions.Responsible for leading the development and implementation of sustainability strategies and initiatives across the organization. • Served as the subject matter expert in Environmental Sustainability, providing guidance to facilities, customers, suppliers, and other internal and external stakeholders.• Led various initiatives, integrating sustainable practices, conducting greenhouse gas assessments, and advancing climate performance management.• Partnered with site leaders, customers, and suppliers to enhance engagement and expand Environmental Sustainability initiatives.• Developed and implemented a strategic approach to Environmental Sustainability services and solutions, directing operations and leading the execution of services and insights across the facilities, customers and supplier base.• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and competitiveness of services and technology offerings.• Worked with all executive leaders to develop strategic approaches for facilities, customers, and suppliers, aligning them with the overall capital project and spending strategy.• Advised on company-wide strategy, campaign, goals, and initiatives, aligned with the CR/ESG Strategy and Executive Leadership Team objectives.• Identified, modeled, and communicated energy efficiency improvements; supported the preparation of estimates, rationales, and investment proposals for sustainability initiatives focused on waste, water, and energy/GHG goals. Show less • Drive Safety as the Number One Priority of all company Employees.• Support CEO by integrating Safety and People into business strategies and advising as requested on people, organization and business issues and impacts.• Ensure compliance with all regulated standards including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Department of Transportation (DOT), etc.• Inspire a culture where Safety is employee-driven and implement best practices to help EHS meet all laws, regulations and community expectations. Implemented key safety program - Hearthside Safety Management System.• Develop employee engagement to drive retention and loyalty, increase productivity and improve employee safety experience.• Identify and address opportunities for greater efficiency, agility, and standardization consistent with company goals for continuous improvement.• Utilize Safety and workforce analytics/trends to measure progress and implement countermeasures to address performance gaps.• Act as an organizational coach who builds organizational capabilities, reduces complexity, and partners with leaders to maximize team performance.• Provide thought leadership and insights into HR/EHS trends, ensuring that team utilizes best practices to drive success.• Embed Hearthside “LifeSafety9” Safety and People strategies into day-to-day work, ensuring that HR/EHS programs are translated into actions.• Inspire, influence, and lead with a sense of urgency, proactively solving problems, and embodying a commitment to high-performance.• Provided HR leadership in the development and execution of strategic HR initiatives, driving talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, and employee engagement aligned with company goals and improved overall employee satisfaction.• Working towards a SHRM Senior Certified Professional – SCP certification.• Utilized problem-solving expertise to address and resolve employee relations issues and reduce conflict. Show less ► Responsible for providing leadership, consultation and guidance for all Human Resources Managers and EHS staff and activities across all company operations.• Led the development and execution of HR strategies and HR systems that supported the HR team and operations, ensured alignment with business objectives and collaborated with senior leadership across departments.• Executed a Compensation Strategy and established competitive salary structures and pay policies that attracted and retained top talent.• Oversaw Benefits Programs, Health and Welfare Benefits, designed, and managed comprehensive health insurance, retirement plans, wellness programs, and other employee benefits.• Developed and led Total Rewards Strategy & Governance by creating a comprehensive total rewards strategy aligned with the company’s business objectives and employee needs.• Focused on Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning and oversaw talent acquisition strategies by creating a competitive compensation and benefits offerings to attract, recruit, and retain top talent from the job market.• Managed and strengthened relationships with labor unions, ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements and fostering a cooperative work environment.• Developed and led comprehensive leadership, workforce, and organizational development programs designed to drive organizational growth and succession planning.• Promoted a positive and inclusive workplace culture that emphasizes employee engagement and retention.• Oversaw performance management processes, including individual goal setting, evaluations, and feedback.• Ensured compliance with all federal, state, and local employment labor laws and regulations by implementing effective HR policies, procedures, and employee relations strategies.• Streamlined HR processes and systems to improve efficiency, utilizing data analytics and HR metrics to inform decision-making, drive HR strategies, and enhance HR performance. Show less • Developed and implemented EHS policies based on industry standards/best practices and knowledge of company operations to govern a comprehensive EHS System for the company’s work force.• Interpreted, monitored and ensured policy compliance with applicable federal, state and local regulatory standards (e.g. OSHA, DOT, EPA, IDOL, NIOSH, etc).• Provided leadership, guidance and counsel to EHS staff members and to Department liaisons to enable efficient, effective and customer – oriented service.• Identified, shared, and implemented best practices and drove continuous improvement efforts that resulted in exceptional safety practices• Leveraged safety data to identify at-risk behavior trends, quarterly safety actions plans and communicated corrective and preventative actions to mitigate and eliminate identified risks.• Developed methods to effectively communicate program policies and expectations, and tools to monitor and track compliance; strive to create a “culture of compliance” owned by all employees and motivate Departments to achieve full levels of compliance.• Performed internal EHS audits, regulatory and best practice-driven hazard/risk assessments and developed action plans to drive improvement• Developed and presented site-specific training programs to stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Show less

  • Head of Sustainability, Environmental, Security, and Safety

    Jan 2024 - now

  • Vice President Environmental Health and Safety, HR Field

    Nov 2018 - Dec 2023

  • Corporate Director of Human Resources and Environmental, Health and Safety

    Jan 2017 - Nov 2018

  • Director of Environmental, Health and Safety

    Nov 2015 - Jan 2017