Environmental Health & Safety Specialist

Employment Type:  Salaried  Shift:     Work Designation:  Onsite  Employment Status: Full Time  Position Summary: Reporting to the Plant Manager, with a dotted line to the Director of EHS in Brea, the EHS Specialist is responsible for the overall support, strategy, development and deployment of the Health & Safety and Environmental Programs for Ventura Foods' Edmonton facility.   Major Duties and Responsibilities: Ensure compliance with EHS programs that meet federal, provincial, and local regulatory requirements including, but not limited to chemical safety, confined space entry, electrical safety, contractor EHS management, industrial hygiene, LOTO, PPE, industrial and office ergonomics, storm water pollution prevention, hazardous waste management, air emissions management and wastewater treatment.  High emphasis on accident prevention. Performs job safety analysis, including ergonomic assessments, and assists the operations team in developing safe operation procedures for all equipment and positions.  Facilitates thorough investigation of all EHS incidents with site Leadership Team.  Ensures all EHS incidents are properly documented in a timely manner and that appropriate corrective, and preventive actions are implemented within the facilities.  Regularly reviews site accident data to determine injury/risk trends and establish action plans to address root causes.  Responsible for maintaining and managing safety and health regulatory records. Maintain EHS database (Velocity EHS).  Responsible for maintaining and managing environmental compliance records.  Supports and coordinates all activities related to workers compensation claims (WCB). Works in conjunction with HR on claims management.  Enhance behavior-based safety processes (Leading Indicators) including promotion of concepts and teaching.    Provides technical and regulatory input to proposed capital projects, RFE and facilities expansions including property protection recommendations.    Schedules and chairs monthly health and safety meetings with safety committees (JHSC) as required by regulatory standards. Facilitates the activities of the safety committee. Documents safety meeting minutes, follows up on action items to ensure responsible parties have completed actions.    Conduct internal safety audits as required.  Responsible for all fire safety activities, including maintaining fire safety plan and ensuring mandatory drills are completed.  Other duties as assigned   Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in EHS, Engineering, Industrial Management or related field required. Associate's degree with equivalent experience will be considered.  Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in EHS or related field.  Certified Regulatory Safety Professional (CSP) or equivalent certification is preferred.  Competent and knowledgeable in Alberta Occupational Health & Safety Code and other regulatory requirements in a manufacturing setting.  Knowledge and Skills: Requires familiarity with standard manufacturing industry concepts, practices, procedures, and processes for Health & Safety and Environmental compliance  Ability to interact and effectively communicate with management, supervision, and production workers to provide information and answer safety related questions.  Assist in training team members in safety  Ability to interact and effectively communicate with local, provincial and federal regulatory representatives  Solve problems independently in consultation with the peers and upper management, following standard guidelines and procedures.  Must be a self-starter with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, be able to multi-task and independently develop and drive solutions to complex problems.   Must be able to maintain confidentiality   Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) enabling the candidate to communicate with others internal and external.  Able to be the face of the company to regulatory inspectors  Able to drive change in practices and culture  Knowledgeable in the principles of safety, workers' compensation along with pertinent federal, provincial, and local laws, codes and regulations.  Knowledgeable in environmental safety and sustainability principals  Skilled in risk assessment and analysis of potential hazards.  Why Join Us: Ventura Foods innovates and manufactures food solutions for foodservice and retail businesses.  We make exclusive products for the world's most iconic restaurants and retailers, we provide ready-to-go product solutions for professional kitchens, and we make consumer brands everyone knows and loves.  When you work for Ventura Foods, you get a strong foundation of training, a manager who cares about you and celebrates your success, a safe environment, and challenging work.  As part of our team, your future is limited only by how much you’re willing to push yourself to get there.  We invest in your growth because you invest in ours.   Ventura Foods offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits, with coverage beginning on your 1st day of employment. Health, Prescription Drugs, Dental & Vision RRSP Program Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Short & Long Term Disability, Out of Country/Emergency Medical Travel, and other optional benefits. Employee Appreciation Events​ and Employee Assistance Programs College Assistance Program   Physical Demands: Regularly requires intermittent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, pushing, and pulling.  Physical strength and dexterity sufficient to perform the required task(s).  Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds or more with assistance.  Additional demands may be required.   Work Environment: In addition to normal business hours, work schedules may include after hours and weekends as needed.  May work outside and in adverse temperatures which include extreme hot, cold, and humidity.  Must be willing and able to wear personal protective equipment as required by established Company Safety standards.     Diversity & Inclusion: Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment in which all employees are treated with respect is evident in our company culture and values.  We believe that fostering an environment of inclusion and a focus on diversity across our organization is vital to attracting top talent, driving innovation, and meeting the high expectations of our customers in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.   Ventura Foods Canada is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.  Our goal is to attract, develop and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds.  We welcome and encourage all qualified applicants to apply.  Accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.