Aurora Organic Dairy, a USA Top 2025 employer is growing, and we have an opening for a skilled Safety Specialist with experience in the manufacturing space.
Position Summary
The Manufacturing Safety Specialist Develops a culture of ‘safety first’ within the company by developing, implementing, and maintaining safety programs and protocols in a manufacturing environment in partnership and direct collaboration with the site location’s plant leadership and team members. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations to create a safe workplace for all employees. The Safety Specialist is not just a compliance enforcer but also a change agent and culture builder. The specialist works closely with management, supervisors, and employees to identify hazards, conduct training, and promote a culture of safety. Assist leadership with identifying employee safety, regulatory compliance or process safety issues and developing appropriate loss prevention and compliance procedures.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct safety inspections, audits, and hazard assessments; recommend and track corrective actions.
- Develop, implement, and update safety policies, procedures, and training programs to ensure OSHA and regulatory compliance.
- Investigate incidents and near-misses, prepare reports, and implement preventive measures.
- Lead safety meetings, employee training, and emergency response drills; maintain accurate safety records and reporting.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate safety into operations, equipment use, and process design.
- Monitor PPE and safety supply usage; support third-party inspections and audits.
- Analyze safety performance data and provide KPI reporting to management.
- Drive a proactive safety culture through education campaigns, supervisor coaching, and employee engagement initiatives.
- Champion continuous improvement by introducing innovative safety solutions and benchmarking industry best practices.
- Promote overall employee well-being through ergonomics, mental health, and wellness initiatives.
- Serve as a member of the Crisis Communication Response Plan team and support operational excellence initiatives.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Industrial Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field (preferred).
- 2+ years of experience in manufacturing safety or a similar role.
- Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and other applicable safety standards.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Ability to conduct effective safety training and presentations.
- Certification such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or similar is a plus.
- Excellent analytic, interpersonal and team-building skills demonstrated through working across different departments in a production and processing environment, as well as interfacing with legal counsel and regulators.
- Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Intermediate knowledge of MS Access or another database systems a plus
- Basic knowledge of Spanish helpful
- 25% - 30% travel to remote facilities and/or training as needed
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Ability to walk, stand, and inspect manufacturing areas for extended periods.
- Occasional lifting of safety equipment and materials (up to 25 lbs).
- Work in a manufacturing or industrial environment with exposure to noise, chemicals, and moving machinery.
- May require working a flexible shift/schedule to regularly interact/train off-shifts
- Including addressing safety incidents/accidents/near misses/investigations
Reporting Structure
The Manufacturing Safety Specialist typically reports the Plant Manager, dotted line to the EHS/Safety or Human Resources Leadership.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
- Columbia, MO 65202 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Columbia, MO 65202: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
