Continuous Improvement & Safety Coordinator

About the role

The GPS (Global Performance System) & Safety Coordinator role is integral to Toppan's commitment to world-class manufacturing. This position drives operational excellence, cultural transformation, and lean manufacturing deployment.

Responsibilities

• Deploy and sustain all GPS pillars (Safety, Quality, Maintenance, Productivity, Cost, and People Development) across departments, ensuring alignment with plant and corporate objectives.
• Serve as the site Safety Coordinator, promoting a strong safety culture through proactive engagement, hazard recognition, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Train, coach, and mentor employees at all levels on GPS tools and methodologies, including 5S, DTM, DMAIC, problem-solving techniques, safety procedures, and safe work practices.
• Support cross-functional teams in setting and achieving performance goals through KPIs, visual management systems, and leading safety performance indicators.
• Maintain and audit model machine boards, team communication boards, safety boards, and daily tracking metrics for clarity, consistency, and accuracy.
• Facilitate and participate in Kaizen events, rapid improvement events, safety improvement projects, and other Lean/Six Sigma initiatives.
• Coach pillar team leaders on goal setting, standardized work, risk assessments, and gap analysis to drive progress across all operational and safety areas.
• Ensure proper calculation and communication of losses (OEE, scrap, downtime), safety metrics, and incident trends while providing root cause analysis and improvement recommendations.
• Support internal reviews, audits, and inspections; prepare performance reports, safety documentation, and compliance records as requested by plant and corporate teams.
• Conduct weekly floor walks with plant leadership to review visual controls, OPLs, 5S compliance, safe work practices, hazard controls, and reinforce best practices.
• Collaborate with supervisors and employees to develop and implement safe operating procedures, job safety analyses (JSAs), and standardized work instructions.
• Promote continuous improvement by integrating safety considerations into all operational excellence and process improvement activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Engineering, Operations, or Manufacturing preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, with exposure to Lean or CI systems (GPS, GPS, TPM, etc.).
• 3+ years of experience in safety coordination, safety compliance, EHS programs, or workplace safety initiatives within a manufacturing or industrial environment preferred.
• Experience facilitating employee training programs related to operational excellence, safety procedures, and regulatory compliance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint; able to develop training materials and performance dashboards.
• Hands-on experience leading or supporting lean manufacturing, pillar teams, or OEE-based initiatives.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.
• Strong communication and coaching skills across multiple levels of the organization.
• Comfortable spending time on the production floor and working all shifts as needed.
• High integrity, organizational discipline, and commitment to measurable results.

Qualifications

• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and perform physical tasks such as standing, walking, bending, reaching, and climbing stairs.
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings, as needed.

Skills

• Lean Manufacturing
• Quality Management
• Safety Coordination
• Training and Development
• Microsoft Office Suite

Benefits

At TOPPAN Packaging Americas, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall wellbeing. This includes competitive pay, robust benefits, and programs that help you thrive both personally and professionally. Specific benefits and wellbeing programs may vary based on your work location, employment classification, or collective bargaining agreement.

Pay

The annual base salary range for this role is from $115,000 to $125,000.

Schedule

This is an onsite position located out of our Huntley, IL Facility.