Director, Risk Management at Central Garden & Pet

Description

Central Garden & Pet is looking for a Director of Risk Management in our Walnut Creek, CA office. This position is a strategic leader responsible for overseeing the companys global corporate insurance program. This role manages complex insurance portfolios, leads enterprise-wide risk assessment and mitigation strategies, and serves as President of the companys wholly owned captive insurance company. The Director partners closely with cross-functional leaders and business units to safeguard the companys $3.2B in annual revenue and 6,000+ employees worldwide, ensuring protection of assets, operational resilience, and long-term business continuity.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the global Corporate Insurance, including risk assessment, insurance placement, policy administration, and claims management.
• Direct the preparation and review of insurance renewals, policy terms, coverage limits, retention levels, and premiums.
• Oversee management of Workers Compensation, General Liability, Auto Liability, Property, and miscellaneous lines claims teams; collaborate with legal to drive timely resolutions.
• Manage relationships with Third Party Administrators (TPAs), including contract negotiation, adjuster oversight across 30+ states, and monitoring aggregate claim performance.
• Provide insurance-related diligence and integration support for mergers and acquisitions, including pre-close evaluation and post-close program integration.
• Partner with Safety leadership to reduce OSHA recordables, lower TRIR, and decrease Workers Compensation claim costs.
• Identify and implement process improvements, automation opportunities, and reporting enhancements to strengthen efficiency and data-driven decision making.
• Collaborate with Finance, Legal, HR, Health & Safety, and business unit leaders to develop policies, playbooks, and risk management best practices.
• Review and draft insurance provisions in commercial contracts, leases, and supply agreements; establish and maintain insurance negotiation guidelines and contract playbooks.
• Develop and manage the annual risk management and insurance budget. Allocate costs across business units with transparency, communicate assumptions and results to leadership, and ensure alignment with strategic and operational priorities.
• Develop and execute the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program, including risk identification, mitigation strategies, and ongoing monitoring.
• Serve as President of the companys Hawaii-domiciled captive insurance company, overseeing coverage, premium, accounting, claims, actuarial processes, and service provider relationships.
• Serve as the companys subject matter expert on all risk-related issues globally.
• Stay current with industry trends and maintain strong relationships with insurers, brokers, and service providers.
• Prepare and present insurance and risk management reports to senior leadership, the Audit Committee, and the Board of Directors as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated expertise in enterprise risk management, captive insurance management, and global insurance programs.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience negotiating coverage, premiums, and claims settlements.
• Proven track record of partnering with cross-functional leaders to drive safety, compliance, and cost containment.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization, including senior leadership.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long-term vision and day-to-day execution.
• Strong collaborator who builds trust and alignment across diverse teams.
• Results-oriented leader who drives accountability and continuous improvement.
• Skilled negotiator with the ability to influence external stakeholders and secure favorable outcomes.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

• Bachelors degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, or related field required
• 10+ years of progressive experience in corporate risk management, insurance, or related fields, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Professional certifications such as CPCU, ARM, or CRM strongly preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Hybrid: 3-5 days/week in office.

POSITION INFORMATION

• This position pays $167,100 220,000 per year depending on experience

BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Free Life and Disability Insurance
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution
• Paid vacation, holidays and sick time
• Employee Assistance Program
• Access to thousands of free online courses
• Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
• Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications)
• Referral Program with cash bonus
• Access to on-demand pay
• Paid parental leave
• A more complete list of benefits can be found here www.CentralBenefits.org

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT), (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With fiscal 2024 net sales of $3.2 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the pet and garden industries. The Companys innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Amdro, Aqueon, Cadet, C&S, Farnam, Ferry-Morse, Four Paws, Kaytee, Nylaboneand Pennington, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities, and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central is based in Walnut Creek, California, with 6,450 employees primarily across North America. Visitwww.central.comto learn more.We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.#LI-JH1