All jobs at Southern Champion Tray (SCT) require Team members to act in accordance with the shared Core Values and Operating principles of the company as they perform specific job functions. These include:

• Trustworthy – We strive for our actions to match our words in all our relationships.
• Servant – Hearted – We enable and empower our team to serve the needs of customers, Team members, suppliers and the community.
• Relational – We aim to build healthy relationships while fostering an environment that promotes compassion, balance, and personal and professional growth.
• Resourceful – We value strategic insourcing, first looking to create solutions internally, and then looking to apply that knowledge to future opportunities.

SUMMARY:

The Safety Specialist champions a culture of Workplace & Product (Food Packaging) Safety by promoting workforce engagement focused on keeping our team members and our customers safe. Reporting to the Plant Manager and partnering with Corporate Safety & Compliance, this role evaluates and implements Workplace and Product Safety initiatives and programs designed to control, eliminate, and prevent injury or product contamination. Responsible for conducting audits, ensuring regulatory and product safety compliance, training and educating the workforce, workers compensation case management, analyzing safety performance data, and driving alignment with corporate shared directives to improve consistency and efficiency across the organization.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITY:

· Ensure Safety Compliance : Monitor adherence to OSHA, BRCGS, and regulatory laws through training, communication, and accurate documentation control.

· Risk Mitigation : Conduct regular safety inspections, audits, and risk assessments; engage Plant Leadership and Safety Committees for timely actions.

· Safety Data & Reporting : Provide leadership with accurate safety data, reports, and training to drive improvements.

· Machine-Specific Safety : Develop and communicate safety standards for machine centers; maintain certifications and provide required training.

· Safety Programs : Partner with leadership to create and implement proactive safety protocols across all facility areas.

· Team Training : Equip team members with tools and training for safe practices; promote engagement via programs, communications, and initiatives.

· Incident Response : Respond promptly to incidents, assist with medical follow-ups, complete incident packets, and support investigations.

· Post-Incident Improvements : Lead root cause analyses, implement corrective actions, and train affected team members to prevent recurrences.

· Safety Training Management : Plan, deliver, and document compliance trainings; develop materials and evaluate training effectiveness.

· Certification Oversight : Manage forklift certifications, recertifications, and related training schedules.

· Emergency Preparedness : Maintain and communicate emergency response plans.

· Ergonomics & Injury Prevention : Educate teams on proper lifting, stretching, and ergonomics; promote wellness programs.

· Safety Committees : Organize cross-functional Safety Committees and First Responder Teams; facilitate meetings and initiatives.

· New Hire Orientation : Conduct safety orientation for new hires and train leaders on incident reporting.

· Audit Coordination : Serve as the main contact for external audits, ensuring timely documentation and compliance.

· Workers' Compensation : Administer claims and case management, assist team members with processes, and ensure compliance with OSHA and workers' compensation laws.

· Team Support : Communicate injury-related updates to supervisors, manage accommodations, and ensure accurate payroll adjustments.

· Continuous Improvement : Stay updated on OSHA, BRCGS, and safety best practices; share knowledge through ongoing education.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• New or recent graduate with Bachelors Degree in Operations Management, Occupational Safety, Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering or related field with intent to pursue career in Operations or Manufacturing Management OR a minimum of 3 years of directly related manufacturing experience in a Safety, Quality, or Training role considered in lieu of degree.
• Requires a working knowledge of Workplace Safety (OSHA) regulatory requirements; completion of OSHA training or other safety certifications are a plus.
• Experience with Product Safety (BRCGS, SQF, AIB, etc) Certifications is a plus.
• Requires Advanced level skills in MS Office including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; requires experience collecting and reporting data, creating management reports and graphs and maintaining document control systems.
• Must be comfortable speaking to large groups, demonstrate effective training skills, and the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and written, (large groups, individually or via email).
• Must be willing to travel on occasion as needed to other SCT locations and/or customer locations.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Must have the ability to read, understand, and communicate to others the meaning of complex documents including legal documents, letters, etc. and write legibly in English. Must be able to understand and speak clearly, and communicate in English.