Safety Specialist (Manufacturing Plant)

Location: Sardis, MS/ Little Rock, AR
Reports To: Safety Director
Employment Type: Salaried, Exempt

Remote/Hybrid/On-Site: On-Site

Direct Reports: N/A
Travel: 30%-50%

Who We Are

CREO Group is a leading consumer product, nursery, and greenhouse supply company. While others make plastic, we build relationships. As both a full-service designer and manufacturer, we offer a wide range of national and private-label products while delivering the flexibility, quality, and innovation our partners expect.

At CREO, work is more than a job — it’s a journey. Guided by our mission is to be the market-leading provider of innovative container solutions that enhance everyday living by partnering with our customers to deliver best-in-class, high-quality, and environmentally responsible products through disciplined operational execution. Powered by an engaged, high-performing team, we create enduring value for our employees, partners, and the communities we serve.

Being part of CREO means joining a community that celebrates collaboration and thrives on the diverse strengths of our people. You’ll work alongside colleagues who bring unique experiences, perspectives, and skills to the table, and together, we’ll achieve more than we could alone.

www.creogroup.com

CREO offers eligible full-time employees competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, paid time off and holidays.

Many health and welfare benefits are available after 30 days of continuous employment.

Our 401K offers a generous match, with vesting and eligibility beginning after 90 days of continuous employment.

Position Summary

The Safety Specialist partners with company leadership, supervisors, and employees to foster and sustain a proactive safety culture that prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of all employees. This role is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs that minimize organizational risk, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote continuous improvement.

The Safety Specialist serves as a subject matter expert and trusted business partner by providing guidance, training, audits, investigations, and performance analysis that support safe and compliant operations across multiple manufacturing and distribution facilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Partner with management and employees to promote a strong safety culture across all company facilities.
Develop, implement, and maintain safety policies, procedures, programs, and best practices that reduce organizational risk and ensure regulatory compliance.
Analyze safety performance metrics, including OSHA recordable incidents, near misses, corrective actions, and other leading and lagging indicators to identify trends and recommend continuous improvements.
Lead and participate in workplace incident investigations, including Root Cause Analysis (RCA), to identify contributing factors and develop effective corrective actions.
Coordinate safety incident response activities, including evidence collection, documentation, reporting, and record retention.
Recommend, implement, and monitor corrective and preventive actions to ensure timely completion and sustained effectiveness.
Conduct routine facility inspections, safety audits, workplace assessments, and hazard evaluations to identify and mitigate risks.
Track corrective action plans through completion and verify implementation effectiveness.
Develop and deliver safety orientation, training programs, toolbox talks, and educational materials for employees, supervisors, and management.
Educate employees on OSHA regulations, environmental health and safety requirements, company policies, and industry best practices.
Observe workplace activities and recommend improvements that enhance employee safety, health, ergonomics, and overall wellness.
Coach supervisors and employees on safe work practices, regulatory compliance, and hazard recognition.
Build collaborative relationships with Plant Managers, Human Resources, Operations, Maintenance, and other functional leaders to support organizational safety initiatives.
Participate in safety committees, incident review boards, risk management initiatives, and other cross-functional teams.
Prepare detailed reports related to inspections, investigations, safety performance, regulatory compliance, and corrective actions.
Respond to employee safety concerns and provide guidance regarding company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
Maintain current knowledge of OSHA regulations and applicable federal, state, and local safety laws and standards.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

Minimum of five (5) years of Environmental, Health, and Safety experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or distribution environment.
Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and safety management systems.
Experience leading incident investigations and conducting Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
Experience performing safety audits, inspections, and workplace risk assessments.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Excellent organizational, analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
Ability to influence others and build collaborative relationships across all organizational levels.

Preferred

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene, or a related discipline.
Professional safety certification(s), including one or more of the following:
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
- Associate Safety Professional (ASP)
- Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
Experience working in a multi-site manufacturing environment.
Experience with safety management software and reporting systems.

Core Competencies

Business Acumen

Demonstrates a strong understanding of workplace safety principles, OSHA regulations, environmental health and safety practices, and safety management systems.
Maintains knowledge of current regulatory requirements, industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices.

Communication

Clearly communicates safety expectations, initiatives, performance metrics, and regulatory requirements to employees, leadership, and stakeholders.
Utilizes data and safety metrics to communicate trends, identify opportunities, and support informed decision-making.

Influencing Others

Builds trust, credibility, and strong working relationships across all levels of the organization.
Partners effectively with leadership and employees to resolve safety concerns and promote accountability for safe work practices.

Change Management

Successfully plans, implements, and communicates safety process improvements that enhance organizational performance.
Effectively manages change while maintaining regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Identifies workplace hazards and operational risks through observation, analysis, and investigation.
Makes sound recommendations that balance employee safety, operational needs, and regulatory requirements.

Continuous Improvement

Proactively identifies opportunities to improve safety performance, employee engagement, and regulatory compliance.
Promotes a culture of continuous learning, accountability, and operational excellence.

Travel Requirements

Routine travel between company facilities is required. Additional overnight travel may be necessary based on business needs, audits, investigations, training activities, or project support.

Physical Requirements

Ability to walk manufacturing and warehouse facilities for extended periods.
Ability to stand, bend, climb stairs and ladders, kneel, crouch, and occasionally work in confined spaces.
Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds occasionally.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toe footwear, hard hats, gloves, and other equipment as required.
Ability to work in manufacturing environments with varying temperatures, noise levels, moving machinery, dust, and other industrial conditions.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel between company locations.

Working Conditions

This position regularly works in both office and manufacturing environments. The incumbent will frequently be exposed to industrial equipment, production operations, and warehouse activities requiring the consistent use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Occasional evening, weekend, or emergency response work may be required based on operational needs.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify, assign, or remove duties as business needs dictate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Performance Expectations and Core Competencies

All CREO Group Employees are expected to:

Demonstrate the CREO Core Values of Collaboration, Respect, Empowerment, and Opportunity in all interactions.
Support the Company's Value Creation Plan through Commercial Innovation, End Market Expansion, Operational Execution, and Nurture Our Team.
Promote a culture where people thrive, partners grow, and innovation takes shape.
Perform work safely, ethically, efficiently, and with a commitment to continuous improvement.
Contribute positively to the success of One CREO by working collaboratively across all functions and locations.

CREO Core Value

Core Competency

Collaboration

Teamwork, Communication, Customer Focus

Respect

Integrity, Inclusion, Professionalism

Empowerment

Accountability, Results Orientation, Decision Making

Opportunity

Innovation, Learning Agility, Adaptability, Continuous Improvement

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

Manufacturing Plant:

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employees in this position are regularly required to:

Remain in a standing and/or walking position for extended periods during the work shift.
Frequently walk throughout the production floor, warehouse, and other manufacturing areas.
Use hands and fingers to handle, grasp, manipulate, assemble, inspect, or operate materials, tools, machinery, and equipment.
Frequently reach, push, pull, bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, squat, twist, and climb as required to perform job duties.
Occasionally climb stairs, ladders, or work platforms where job duties require.
Lift, carry, push, or pull materials, parts, containers, or equipment weighing up to:
- Frequently: up to 25 pounds
- Occasionally: up to 50 pounds
- More than 50 pounds with team lifting or mechanical assistance, when required.
Perform repetitive hand, wrist, arm, and shoulder movements throughout the workday.
Maintain sufficient manual dexterity and coordination to safely operate production equipment and hand tools.
Visually inspect products, equipment, labels, gauges, and displays to identify defects or quality concerns.
Hear alarms, warning signals, equipment sounds, and verbal instructions in a manufacturing environment.
Communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and visitors regarding production, quality, and safety matters.
Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which may include safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toe footwear, gloves, high-visibility clothing, hair restraints, respirators (when required), or other protective equipment.
Safely operate or work around moving machinery, conveyors, forklifts, robotic equipment, and automated manufacturing systems after appropriate training.

Employees regularly work in a manufacturing environment that may include:

Exposure to moving mechanical parts and automated equipment.
Moderate to high noise levels requiring hearing protection.
Exposure to varying temperatures depending on department and season.
Exposure to dust, plastic resins, lubricants, cleaning agents, and other manufacturing materials.
Bright industrial lighting and frequent activity from forklifts and material handling equipment.
Overtime, weekend work, and extended shifts as business needs require.
Required PPE: hearing protection, safety glasses, and safety shoes where applicable.

Office/Non-Manufacturing Plant

Ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods while performing office-related tasks.
Frequently operate a computer, keyboard, mouse, telephone, and other standard office equipment.
Frequently communicate with employees, customers, and business partners in person, by telephone, and through electronic communications. Must be able to exchange accurate information.
Occasionally move throughout the office to attend meetings, access files, and interact with coworkers.
Occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull office materials or equipment weighing up to 15 pounds.
Occasionally bend, stoop, reach, or kneel to retrieve files or office supplies.
Ability to read documents, computer screens, and printed materials with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to travel occasionally, if required for the position.

Employees regularly work in an office or non-manufacturing environment that may include:

Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment.
The noise level is generally moderate.
The position may require occasional work outside normal business hours to meet business needs.
Employees may occasionally be required to attend meetings or training at other company locations.

Note that office positions located within our Manufacturing Plants often require some plant-floor presence throughout the day so these work environment details may not always apply, they should still be noted.

CREO Group reserves the right to revise or update this job description as needed to better comply with the actual essential function of the job requirements as business needs dictate.

CREO Group is an E-Verify and Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. The Company provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Individuals who require accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job or to participate in the application process should notify Human Resources.

Compensation:

Salary Range/Pay Rate: $75,000-$85,000

Bonus Program/Frequency – Not bonus eligible

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Specialist - Safety

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