EHS Specialist - Temporary Contract

CPS, Inc.; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 41,328 - 55,104; Full time

Job summary

CPS, Inc. is seeking an EHS Specialist for a 6-month contract, primarily focused on safety compliance and risk control within the manufacturing sector. The EHS Specialist will develop safety programs, conduct inspections, and provide employee training to ensure adherence to regulations.

This role requires at least 5 years of experience, particularly in food manufacturing, strong communication skills, and a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety or a related discipline.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of EHS leadership roles preferred, especially in food manufacturing.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.
• Experience with OSHA regulations and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement safety programs according to regulations.
• Conduct routine inspections and compliance checks.
• Provide training on safety policies and emergency response.

Skills

Safety compliance leadership

Training facilitation

Risk assessment

Knowledge of OSHA regulations

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety or related field

Job description

Overview

Established manufacturing organization seeks an EHS Specialist for a 6‑month contract, ideally with manufacturing safety experience.

An EHS Specialist supports compliance, safety culture, environmental stewardship, and operational risk control.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement safety programs that comply with federal, state, and local laws (OSHA, EPA, DOT, etc.).
• Create procedures for safe equipment operation, hazardous material handling, and emergency preparedness.
• Recommend and update policies as regulations or plant needs change.

Inspections, Audits & Compliance Monitoring

• Conduct routine plant inspections, internal audits, and regulatory compliance checks (air, water, waste, chemical storage).
• Ensure adherence to OSHA safety rules, GMP, SQF, and corporate safety policies.
• Monitor removal of physical, chemical, and biological hazards.
• Maintain compliance with environmental permits and regulatory requirements.

Training & Employee Education

• Provide training on safety policies, PPE, chemical handling, emergency response, and environmental compliance.
• Educate employees on safe work practices and regulatory expectations.
• Coach employees and supervisors to reinforce safe behaviors and continuous safety improvement.

Incident Investigation & Corrective Actions

• Investigate incidents, near‑misses, injuries, spills, or deviations to determine root causes.
• Recommend corrective and preventive actions and ensure closure.
• Maintain documentation of incidents and prepare reports required by regulatory agencies.

Environmental Compliance & Monitoring

• Oversee the environmental programs (air emissions, wastewater, waste management, recycling).
• Conduct environmental compliance audits (waste disposal facilities, hazardous / non‑hazardous waste processes).
• Prepare and submit environmental reports (EPA, state agencies) and manage permits.
• Support continuous improvement of waste management and environmental systems.

Risk Assessment & Hazard Mitigation

• Perform Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) and ergonomic assessments to identify risks.
• Recommend mitigation actions, engineering controls, or procedural changes.
• Ensure safe handling and storage of chemicals used in flavor production (solvents, reaction ingredients, extracts).

Documentation, Reporting & Recordkeeping

• Maintain accurate compliance records (training logs, inspections, incident reports, regulatory submissions).
• Track safety metrics, KPIs, and improvement trends.
• Keep EHS calendars updated to meet regulatory deadlines.

Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Support fire safety, spill response, evacuation planning, and emergency drills.
• Respond to emergencies and coordinate corrective measures.

Collaboration & Regulatory Interface

• Serve as the liaison between the plant and regulatory agencies (OSHA, EPA, state environmental departments).
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and R&D to ensure EHS integration across operations.
• Participate in corporate audits, ORM initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts.

Safety and Compliance (Employee & Food Safety)

• Adhere to company safety policies, including the use of required, company‑supplied PPE (lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, toe‑cap safety shoes, respirators, etc.), hazard communication, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Participate in safety training, audits, and emergency preparedness drills.
• Act in a safe manner, inclusive of compliance with all OSHA standards. Employees are empowered to stop or refuse work if it cannot be performed safely.
• Maintain a safe and organized work environment, report and address unsafe conditions immediately.
• Support ongoing compliance with FDA, USDA, EPA, DOT, Organic, HACCP, DEA, FSMA, and all other local, state, and federal regulations.
• Support ongoing compliance with SQF, Kosher, Halal, and all other relevant food production rules and requirements.
• Uphold Food Defense and Food Safety processes and procedures.
• Support company Quality Systems Policy, including document control, product traceability, crisis management, allergen management, and ongoing training.

Salary

$30.00 - $40.00 per hour

Benefits

N/A

Education, Training, And/Or Work Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related field.
• Minimum of 5+ years of EHS leadership roles preferred – food manufacturing industry experience a plus.
• Must be skilled at facilitation and training in large, small, and individual settings. Strong presentation skills required.
• Knowledge of OSHA (federal and IL state) regulations required.
• Experience with GMP, HACCP, and SQF is a plus.
• Excellent organizational and computer skills.
• Strong written and verbal skills.
• Ability to interact with all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work independently with attention to detail in a timely manner.
• Ability to wear respiratory protection equipment.
• The ability to adjust to work a necessary schedule to meet job requirements, including flexibility to periodically support 2nd and 3rd shift to provide training and information to off‑shift employees.

Physical Requirements

• Walking long distances across production floors, warehouses, and outdoor areas.
• Standing for extended periods while observing work practices or training employees.
• Climbing stairs, ladders, or mezzanines to inspect platforms, verification systems, or equipment.
• Accessing confined or elevated spaces during environmental or safety walkthroughs.
• Carrying testing equipment, sampling kits, safety gear, or documentation materials up to 50 lbs.
• Handling spill kits or emergency supplies while responding to incidents.
• Bend, kneel, or crouch to inspect lower‑level machinery or storage areas.
• Reach overhead or into tight spaces.
• Use hands for writing reports, operating or monitoring instruments, and handling chemical safety equipment.
• Required PPE may include safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, respirators, and hearing protection.
• EHS Specialist must be able to wear PPE for extended periods while auditing or responding to incidents.
• Hot or cold production areas.
• Strong odor environments are typical of flavor manufacturing.
• Occasional outdoor work (waste areas, loading docks, chemical storage, etc.).
• Assisting with containment of spills (non‑hazardous duties in support roles).
• Performing rapid assessments in physically demanding or time‑sensitive situations.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Requirements

• Must be able to wear PPE, including a full‑face respirator.
• Constantly able to maintain regular, punctual attendance. Flexibility in schedule may be required depending on business needs and manufacturing requirements. Constantly able to view a computer screen.
• Ability to speak, read, and write English.

Competency

• Interpersonal
• Management
• Technical / Professional
• Context
• Leadership