Stella & Chewy’s, the fastest growing natural pet food brand in the U.S. is looking for a Safety Specialist. The Safety Specialist reports to the Director, Environmental, Health & Safety and is responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of the organization’s Safety activities as part of the overall Safety and Health program. Safety is a core value of the organization using continuous improvement principles to focus on the development of a strong program. The Safety Specialist plays an essential role in this system through hands-on execution of the Safety and Health Standards, fostering a robust Safety-First culture and driving all employee involvement.

Job Purpose

The Safety Specialist supports the development, implementation, and execution of health, safety, and environmental (HSE) programs to ensure a safe and compliant work environment. In alignment with Stella & Chewy’s safety goals, this role works closely with the Environmental, Health & Safety - Director and department leaders to minimize health and safety risks, foster a strong safety culture, and ensure regulatory compliance at all times. The Safety Specialist is a key influencer across departments, driving safety engagement, training, and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the facility maintains a constant state of audit readiness and compliance with internal standards and applicable federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA, DNR).
• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of company safety and health programs, ensuring effective site-specific deployment and evaluation.
• Conduct engaging and effective safety training and coaching sessions to promote employee understanding, accountability, and ownership of safety expectations.
• Lead or support investigations of safety-related incidents, identifying root causes and implementing corrective and preventive actions to prevent recurrence.
• Provide safety guidance across teams and departments, even in the absence of direct authority, to build accountability and influence a culture of safety ownership.
• Support and help manage the Emergency Response Team (ERT), ensuring team members are trained, equipped, and capable of responding effectively to incidents.
• Partner with project managers and contractors to manage the site’s Contractor Safety Program, ensuring safe execution of all third-party work.
• Collaborate with Director, EHS and external consultants to ensure compliance on new capital projects and maintain favorable insurance and risk ratings.
• Coach and support operations supervisors and managers to become strong EHS leaders within their respective areas.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration to ensure safety, health, and environmental values are embedded into the daily operation of the site.
• Maintain accurate safety documentation and support regulatory reporting requirements, including OSHA 300 logs, Tier II reports, DNR submissions, and BLS surveys.
• Assist in identifying and implementing continuous improvement projects and risk reduction initiatives.
• Perform other safety-related duties and special projects as assigned.
• Uphold and promote Stella & Chewy’s core values, safety culture, and compliance practices across the facility.

Education & Experience:

• 3+ years of experience coordinating or supporting safety and environmental programs in a manufacturing environment required.
• Experience managing regulatory reporting and interacting with agencies such as OSHA, DNR, and EPA.
• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, or a related field preferred.
• OSHA Outreach Trainer certification is a plus.

Technical Skills & Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, workplace safety programs, and risk assessment tools.
• Familiarity with food manufacturing, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and sanitation standards preferred.
• Experience with hazard recognition, behavioral-based safety (BBS), job hazard analysis (JHA), and safety auditing.
• Knowledge of workers’ compensation processes and case management is a plus.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a strong asset.

Core Competencies:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to train, coach, and influence employees and leaders in the adoption of safety programs.
• High attention to detail with strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Collaborative team player with a proactive, problem-solving mindset and a passion for continuous improvement.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status, or any other status protected by law.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the person occupying this position. You may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested by Management.