Workers Comp Program Manager

Salary range is $93,825-$117,275 per year

Purpose of Position:

The Workers' Compensation Program Manager is responsible for the oversight and continuous improvement of Foster Farms' workers' compensation program, including management of the third-party administrator (TPA) and collaboration with Operations, Safety, Human Resources, Legal, and other key stakeholders.

This is a highly collaborative, onsite role located in Fresno, CA that serves as a strategic partner to plant operations, providing leadership in injury management, return-to-work programs, incident investigations, and claim resolution. The Program Manager develops and executes strategies that improve claim outcomes, control costs, ensure regulatory compliance, and support the health and recovery of injured employees.

Essential Job Functions:

• Oversee TPA, insurance partners, and vendors to ensure effective claims handling, compliance, and service performance.
• Act as the primary Workers' Compensation resource for plant operations, maintaining a visible onsite presence and partnering closely with Operations, HR, and Safety leaders.
• Partner with operational leadership on injury management, return-to-work programs, incident investigations, and injury prevention initiatives.
• Collaborate with legal counsel on complex, litigated, and catastrophic claims, including depositions, mediations, settlement negotiations, and claim resolution strategies.
• Lead quarterly claim reviews and monitor key performance indicators to drive program effectiveness, improve outcomes, and reduce costs.
• Analyze injury and claim trends and recommend corrective actions and preventive measures to operational leadership.
• Ensure compliance with Workers' Compensation laws, regulatory requirements, contractual obligations, and company policies.
• Oversee claim reserving practices and review settlement requests, reserve increases, and claim strategies within established authority levels.
• Serve as a trusted advocate for injured employees while balancing operational objectives, regulatory requirements, and effective claims management practices.
• Maintain current knowledge of Workers' Compensation laws, regulations, and industry best practices.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including Operations, HR, Safety, Legal, TPA, insurers, medical providers, and consultants, to support effective claim management and business objectives.

Additional Functions:

Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Risk Management, Business, Law, Claims Administration, Occupational Safety, or a related field preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible Workers' Compensation claims or program management experience with a self-insured employer, insurance carrier, TPA, or law firm.
• California Workers' Compensation Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in California Workers' Compensation laws, regulations, litigation management, claims administration, benefit delivery, medical management, and return-to-work programs is required.
• Onsite Leadership: Ability to work onsite and frequently engage with plant operations, supervisors, employees, and business leaders.
• Certifications/Designations: AIC, ARM, CPCU, SIP, WCCA, or equivalent professional designation preferred.
• Strong computer skills, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Gmail, and Google Workspace.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and build strong partnerships across Operations, HR, Safety, Legal, and executive leadership teams.
• Strong analytical, organizational, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Empathetic and caring demeanor with a strong commitment to employee care and customer service.
• Results-oriented leader with demonstrated success driving continuous improvement, reducing claim costs, and improving operational outcomes.
• Ability to effectively manage competing priorities and thrive in a fast-paced operational environment.

Foster Farms ACTION Guiding Principles

• Accountability: Deliver on commitments.
• Collaboration: Achieve more by working as a team.
• Truth-Seeking: Be open-minded and act with humility.
• Initiative: Be proactive and lead with a growth mindset.
• Ownership: Take responsibility for results.
• Nimble: Operate with speed and agility.

Why Join Foster Farms?

This is a high-impact opportunity to shape the future of the ready-to-eat business at a leading food company, directly supporting our mission, vision, and values. You will play a critical role in delivering safe, high-quality food and great moments for millions of families.

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