Safety Specialist (Food Manufacturing)

L&S Packing is actively recruiting for a Safety Specialist, a newly established role with our organization that will serve our two manufacturing plants in East Farmingdale and Amityville, NY.

In this role, you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining workplace safety programs to ensure a safe, healthy, and compliant food manufacturing environment.

This role focuses on occupational health and safety, regulatory compliance, risk prevention, employee training, and continuous improvement of safety systems while supporting food safety and quality objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety Program Development & Implementation

Develop, implement, and maintain site-specific safety policies, procedures, and programs in alignment with company standards and regulatory requirements.
Support and promote a strong safety culture across all departments, encouraging proactive hazard identification and prevention.
Conduct regular safety audits, inspections, and risk assessments within production, warehouse, maintenance, and office areas.

Regulatory Compliance

Ensure compliance with all applicable occupational health and safety regulations (e.g., OSHA or equivalent), environmental health standards, and internal company policies.
Maintain accurate safety documentation, including incident reports, training records, inspections, and corrective actions.
Serve as a point of contact during regulatory inspections and audits, assisting with documentation and follow-up actions.

Incident Investigation & Risk Management

Investigate workplace incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions to determine root causes.
Develop and track corrective and preventive actions to reduce recurrence of injuries and safety hazards.
Monitor trends in safety performance metrics and recommend improvements based on data analysis.

Training & Employee Engagement

Deliver safety training and onboarding programs for new hires, contractors, and temporary employees.
Conduct refresher training on topics such as hazard communication, PPE usage, machine safety, ergonomics, lockout/tagout, and emergency response.
Support employee safety committees and encourage active participation in safety initiatives.

Food Manufacturing-Specific Safety Support

Collaborate with Quality and Food Safety teams to ensure safety practices align with food safety requirements (e.g., hygiene, sanitation, allergen awareness).
Support safe handling of chemicals, cleaning agents, and food-grade materials.
Ensure safe operation of manufacturing equipment, production lines, and material handling systems.

Emergency Preparedness

Assist in developing and maintaining emergency response plans, including fire safety, evacuation, and first aid procedures.
Participate in emergency drills and ensure readiness of safety equipment such as eyewash stations, fire extinguishers, and spill kits.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health & Safety, Industrial Safety, or a related field preferred.
Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.

Experience

2–5 years of safety-related experience, preferably in a food manufacturing or industrial environment.
Experience working in regulated manufacturing environments with a strong emphasis on safety and compliance.

Certifications (Preferred)

OSHA certification or equivalent safety training
Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), or similar credentials

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong knowledge of workplace safety regulations and best practices in manufacturing environments.
Understanding of food manufacturing operations, sanitation processes, and equipment safety.
Excellent communication and training skills with the ability to engage employees at all levels.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for incident investigation and risk assessment.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced production environment.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

Ability to walk production floors for extended periods.
Occasional lifting, bending, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Exposure to manufacturing environments, including noise, temperature variations, and moving machinery.

Pay: From $75,000.00 per year

Benefits

401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance