Specialist - Safety

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