Manufacturing Safety Specialist

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