HR & Safety Specialist

Okuma America Corporation; Greycrest (NC); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

Pension plan

401(k)

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Disability insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Wellness and gym reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement

Generous paid time off

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Flexible scheduling

Job summary

Okuma America Corporation is seeking an HR & Safety Specialist to support both HR and Safety initiatives in a hybrid role. You will help manage benefits, leave administration, training, and safety compliance in a manufacturing environment.

You will partner with managers and employees to improve wellbeing, safety performance, and organizational effectiveness while ensuring OSHA and federal/state regulations are met.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, Occupational Safety, or a related field preferred.
• 3+ years in Human Resources, Safety, or related role.
• Experience administering leave programs, workers' compensation, and accommodations.
• Experience developing and supporting workplace safety programs and regulatory compliance.
• Manufacturing/industrial experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support employee well-being programs including benefits, wellness, and leave admin.
• Administer FMLA, ADA, workers' comp, short-term disability, and return-to-work processes.
• Lead safety programs, audits, JSAs, incident investigations, and compliance.
• Deliver safety and compliance training for employees and leadership.
• Collaborate with leaders to identify risks and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

FMLA knowledge

ADA knowledge

OSHA knowledge

Safety investigations

Employee relations

Communication

Organizational skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's Degree in HR/Business/OSH or related field

Tools

HRIS

Learning Management Systems

Job description

HR & Safety SpecialistAt Okuma America Corporation, we believe a successful workplace starts with the well-being, safety, and support of our employees. As an HR & Safety Specialist, you will play a key role in fostering a safe, compliant, and employee-focused work environment by supporting both Human Resources and Safety initiatives.This hybrid role combines workplace safety leadership with employee support programs, benefits education, leave administration, and compliance management. Working closely with employees, managers, and leadership teams, you will help strengthen Okuma's culture of safety, engagement, and operational excellence.How You'll Make an ImpactSupport Employee Well-Being & HR ProgramsServe as a resource for employees regarding benefits, wellness programs, leave administration, and workplace accommodations.Support benefits enrollment, employee communications, and wellness initiatives in partnership with the HR team.Administer leave programs, including FMLA, ADA, short-term disability, workers' compensation, and return-to-work processes.Partner with managers and employees to ensure a positive and compliant employee experience.Lead Workplace Safety & ComplianceDevelop, implement, and maintain safety programs, policies, procedures, and training initiatives.Ensure compliance with OSHA and applicable federal, state, and local safety regulations.Conduct workplace inspections, safety audits, Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), and incident investigations.Lead corrective action planning and monitor safety performance metrics and reporting.Drive Training & Employee EngagementDeliver safety, wellness, and compliance-related training programs for employees and leadership.Promote a strong culture of safety, accountability, and employee engagement.Serve as a subject matter expert on workplace safety practices, leave programs, and employee support resources.Support onboarding, compliance initiatives, and employee development programs.Collaborate & ImprovePartner with leadership, HR, and operational teams to identify and mitigate workplace risks.Manage workers' compensation claims and support transitional duty programs.Coordinate emergency preparedness activities, safety committee initiatives, and compliance efforts.Continuously identify opportunities to improve employee programs, safety performance, and organizational effectiveness.Preferred Qualifications & SkillsEducationBachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Occupational Safety, Environmental Health & Safety, or a related field preferred.ExperienceThree (3) or more years of experience in Human Resources, Safety, or a related role.Experience administering employee leave programs, workers' compensation, and workplace accommodations.Experience developing and supporting workplace safety programs and regulatory compliance initiatives.Manufacturing, industrial, or technical work environment experience preferred.Skills & CompetenciesKnowledge of FMLA, ADA, workers' compensation, OSHA, and employment-related compliance requirements.Strong understanding of workplace safety practices, risk assessment, and incident investigation.Excellent communication, employee relations, and relationship-building skills.Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.Ability to analyze information, identify solutions, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and HRIS or learning management systems.Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.The Okuma DifferenceAt Okuma, innovation is more than a goal. It is part of who we are. As one of the world's leading manufacturers of CNC machine tools, we invest in advanced technology, employee development, and strong customer relationships. Our team members enjoy a collaborative environment where knowledge sharing, continuous learning, and professional growth are encouraged.When you join Okuma, you become part of an organization that values excellence, teamwork, integrity, and a commitment to helping both employees and customers succeed. You'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on workplace safety, employee well-being, and organizational success.Supporting Your SuccessAt Okuma, we invest in our employees' well-being and professional growth. Our comprehensive benefits package includes structured bonus opportunities, a pension plan, 401(k), medical, dental, and vision coverage, company-paid disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, wellness and gym reimbursement programs, tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off, paid holidays, parental leave, and flexible scheduling options.Equal Opportunity & AccommodationsOkuma America Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to any status protected by applicable law.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the application process and perform the essential functions of the position.This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications required. Responsibilities may change based on business needs.