Risk Manager

Summary

At Whitsons Culinary Group, we take pride in serving communities with fresh, nutritious meals while upholding the highest standards of safety, compliance, and operational excellence. The Risk Manager plays a vital role in safeguarding our people, our customers, and our business by proactively identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks across all divisions.

This role is responsible for managing Whitsons’ enterprise-wide risk framework — including insurance programs, loss control, workers’ compensation, contract review, and business continuity planning. Acting as the primary liaison with brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators, the Risk Manager ensures our programs deliver optimal coverage, cost efficiency, and multi-state regulatory compliance.

The Risk Manager also leads the end-to-end oversight of workers’ compensation claims, supporting our employees through clear and empathetic communication, coordinating return-to-work programs, and ensuring fair, timely resolution of claims. By analyzing data, monitoring industry and legislative changes, and partnering closely with HR, Operations, Finance, and Safety, this role delivers actionable insights that strengthen Whitsons’ resilience and ensure we continue serving our communities with excellence and integrity.

Essential Functions, Responsibilities And Duties

Risk Identification, Assessment & Mitigation

• Proactively identify and document potential exposures across all business units.
• Assess risk likelihood and impact using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
• Develop action plans, mitigation strategies, and business continuity plans to reduce risk severity.
• Provide management with recommendations on risk tolerance, coverage gaps, and emerging exposures.

Insurance Program Management

• Partner with brokers and carriers to control and direct all property, casualty, and financial insurance renewals.
• Compare coverage across multiple carriers, negotiate endorsements and premiums, and evaluate limits, deductibles, and overall program structure.
• Review all incoming policies for accuracy, pursue corrections, and maintain organized policy records.
• Prepare detailed renewal worksheets and support the renewal timeline to ensure appropriate market positioning.

Loss Control & Safety Compliance

• Review loss control recommendations from brokers and carriers; monitor and follow up with properties for implementation and compliance.
• Maintain and enhance the internal policies and procedures manual covering claim reporting, handling, and monitoring practices.
• Partner with internal Safety teams to align insurance requirements with safety protocols.

Workers’ Compensation Strategy & Oversight

• Lead the full lifecycle of workers’ compensation claims from initial injury report to closure.
• Assess and monitor medical treatment plans, reserves, settlements, and claim progression through carrier/TPA systems.
• Provide subject matter expertise on workers’ compensation best practices, internal policies, and state-specific regulations (NY, NJ, PA, IL, MA).
• Collaborate with TPAs and carriers to ensure timely claim investigation, medical management, and settlement negotiation.
• Conduct and/or oversee investigations, including documentation, witness statements, and compliance with internal and regulatory standards.
• Track and monitor legislative and regulatory changes impacting workers’ compensation processes.

Employee Support & Return-to-Work Programs

• Communicate empathetically and clearly with injured employees, HR, Operations, and external partners on claim status and responsibilities.
• Provide guidance to managers and employees on workers’ compensation rights, responsibilities, and processes.
• Coordinate creative, compliant return-to-work and accommodation programs, including light-duty assignments.

Contracts, Leases & Indemnification Review

• Review insurance and indemnification provisions in contracts, leases, and vendor agreements.
• Provide comments on appropriateness of requirements, highlight gaps between contract requirements and current coverage, and advise on corrective actions.
• Draft recommended wording for contracts initiated by the company or for agreements missing insurance provisions.

Data Analytics & Reporting

• Track and analyze claims data and insurance metrics to identify loss trends and evaluate program performance.
• Report regularly to senior management on claim status, financial exposure, safety compliance, and overall risk program outcomes.
• Recommend improvements based on data-driven insights to reduce costs and strengthen risk management strategies.
• This role offers a salary range of $150,000 – $170,000 annually, based on skills, experience, and location. Employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, generous PTO, and paid holidays.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required.
• Advanced degree (MBA, JD, or equivalent) or professional designation (e.g., ARM, CPCU, AIC) preferred.

Experience

• 7–10 years of progressive experience in risk management, insurance, or claims administration, ideally within a multi-state, multi-site organization.
• Proven experience negotiating insurance programs and managing broker/carrier relationships.
• Demonstrated expertise in workers’ compensation regulations and claims management across states such as NY, NJ, PA, IL, and MA.
• Strong background in reviewing contracts, leases, and indemnification provisions for risk and insurance requirements.
• Hands-on experience leading investigations, managing loss control initiatives, and developing business continuity or contingency planning.

Skills & Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of property, casualty, financial, and workers’ compensation insurance programs.
• Strong analytical ability to assess risks, evaluate claim reserves, and interpret loss trends.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to partner effectively across HR, Operations, Finance, Safety, and external stakeholders.
• Empathetic, employee-centered approach to managing claims and return-to-work programs.
• High attention to detail with strong organizational skills to oversee policies, claims documentation, and compliance reporting.
• Ability to stay current with legislative changes impacting risk, insurance, and workers’ compensation.
• Proficiency in claims management systems, risk analysis tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Demonstrated leadership and problem-solving skills with a focus on continuous improvement and operational resilience.