Safety & Continuous Improvement Specialist

Position Summary

The Safety & Continuous Improvement Specialist supports the Rochester facility by strengthening workplace safety and identifying opportunities to improve processes and operations. The position will initially prioritize building a stronger safety culture and more effective safety processes, while laying the groundwork for broader improvement projects and operational initiatives. This position offers the opportunity to make a visible impact, help build stronger safety practices, and gain experience beyond a traditional safety role. It is well suited for someone with a passion for safety who is curious, forward-thinking, willing to learn and ask questions, and motivated to turn ideas into action. This position does not require every certification or area of technical expertise at the time of hire. Relevant training, industry resources, and development opportunities may be provided based on the needs of the role and the individual's experience.

Responsibilities

• Build and strengthen safety processes, procedures, and work practices that support a proactive safety culture and meet company, site, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop strong working relationships and a solid understanding of day-to-day work practices and challenges throughout the facility.
• Identify and address safety concerns through observations, inspections, and hazard reviews, working with appropriate partners to coordinate follow-up and resolution.
• Facilitate investigation of safety incidents, near misses, and identified hazards to understand root causes, identify corrective actions, and recognize recurring trends.
• Maintain required safety documentation and support regulatory recordkeeping, reporting, and compliance activities.
• Coordinate and deliver practical safety training based on employee, job, and facility needs.
• Lead safety and ergonomics committees and help turn identified concerns, recommendations, and ideas into action.
• Coordinate and strengthen key plant safety practices, including personal protective equipment, machine guarding, lockout/tagout, and related hazard-control measures.
• Support emergency preparedness and applicable Process Safety Management (PSM) and ammonia-related safety activities, using appropriate technical resources as needed.
• Support environmental compliance and improvement activities, using appropriate internal and external resources as needed.
• Use internal and external resources, industry practices, and expertise to strengthen safety processes and support continuous improvement.
• Apply both safety and continuous improvement perspectives to ergonomic, workflow, and process challenges, working with others to reduce risk and improve efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflow, standard work, efficiency, and consistency, and reduce waste through practical changes to processes and ways of working.
• Evaluate tools, technology, and new approaches that may simplify work, solve recurring problems, or improve operations.
• Participate in and help lead cross-functional improvement projects, using data, observations, and employee input to understand problems, implement solutions, evaluate results, and sustain successful changes.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of relevant experience in workplace safety within a manufacturing or production environment, manufacturing operations, continuous improvement, organizational development, or a related area; or a bachelor's degree in a related field. An equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience may also be considered.
• Demonstrated interest in workplace safety and operational improvement, with the willingness and ability to learn new technical concepts, requirements, and processes.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English sufficiently to understand requirements, prepare documentation, deliver training, and respond during emergencies.
• Prior completion of OSHA 30-hour General Industry training is preferred; company-sponsored training will be available as part of continued development in the role.
• Experience in food manufacturing or another regulated manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement concepts such as 5S, standard work, visual management, Lean problem-solving, or similar methods is preferred.

Key Competencies

• Collaborates and Influences: Builds cooperation, seeks input, and moves work forward through relationships and influence rather than formal authority.
• Communicates Effectively: Communicates clearly and practically, listens well, adapts communication to the audience, and makes technical or safety-related information understandable.
• Ensures Accountability: Follows through on commitments, tracks progress, addresses gaps, and helps ensure agreed-upon actions are completed.
• Situational Adaptability: Adjusts approach and communication based on the situation, changing needs, and the people involved.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Questions existing practices, looks for better ways of working, and remains open to new ideas, tools, and approaches.
• Action Oriented: Takes initiative, addresses issues promptly, and turns identified needs, ideas, and decisions into action.
• Nimble Learning: Learns through experience, questions, feedback, and new challenges, and applies learning effectively in unfamiliar situations.
• Manages Ambiguity: Remains effective as priorities, information, or circumstances evolve; asks questions, uses sound judgment, and keeps work moving.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, reach, push, and pull as needed while performing work throughout the facility.
• Ability to move throughout production, maintenance, warehouse, refrigerated, freezer, and office areas during the workday.
• Ability to use computers, mobile devices, training equipment, and basic inspection or measurement tools.
• Ability to safely access equipment and work areas that may be elevated, restricted, or difficult to reach, including the use of stairs, ladders, and platforms when properly trained and authorized.
• Ability to work safely in cold, wet, noisy, and occasionally slippery or uneven environments around industrial equipment and other typical plant conditions.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment and comply with food safety, sanitation, and safety requirements.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary ($55,000 - $75,000 annually). Base salary is one component of a competitive compensation package for employees.
• Full benefits package, including medical/vision/dental/life insurance, 401(k) with company match, and paid time off.
• Roles are eligible for additional rewards including an annual incentive program based on individual and company performance.