HSE Advisor - Coatings Manufacturing

Akzonobel; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits starting Day 1

401K with company match

Medical insurance with HSA

Generous paid time off

Annual bonus 7.5% ST Incentive

Tuition Reimbursement

Parental leave after 1 year

Diversity & Inclusion networks

Employee referral bonus

Job summary

AkzoNobel is hiring an HSE Advisor to support site HSE programs and maintain regulatory compliance across manufacturing operations. You will work closely with production, maintenance and engineering to reduce risks and strengthen safety culture.

Responsibilities include hazard identification, incident investigations, training delivery, and KPI reporting. A Bachelor’s degree in Safety/Engineering and at least 2 years of manufacturing experience are preferred, with OSHA knowledge and practical

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Engineering or related field.
• 2+ years of manufacturing experience; chemical/process industry preferred.
• Knowledge of OSHA requirements; experience with safety inspections and incident investigations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support HSE Manager in implementing site HSE programs and regulatory compliance.
• Identify hazards, conduct risk assessments, and track corrective actions to closure.
• Assist in incident investigations using root cause analysis and communicate lessons learned.
• Coordinate safety training including new-hire orientation and refresher courses.
• Monitor and report HSE KPIs and maintain records and inventory for safety supplies.

Skills

Shop-floor communication

Coaching

Influencing skills

MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety & Health or related

Job description

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

Support the HSE Manager in implementing site HSE programs, maintaining regulatory compliance, and improving safety performance. The HSE Advisor focuses on hazard identification, incident prevention, employee training, and corrective action management, working closely with production, maintenance and engineering teams to reduce operational risks and strengthen safety culture.

Key Responsibilities

Safety and Risk Management

• Conduct routine HSE inspections and workplace risk assessments; document findings and track corrective actions to closure.
• Maintain a visible shop-floor presence across shifts, coaching employees and supervisors on safe work practices.
• Schedule & support in safety committee meetings, behavior-based safety initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
• Identify recurring hazards and recommend improvements including effective risk controls, prioritizing elimination and engineering controls.
• Participate in behaviour based safety orientation & training. Work with BBS team and assist with execution of identified projects.

Incident Management

• Participate in investigations of injuries, near misses and other HSE incidents using structured root cause analysis.
• Track corrective and preventive actions, verify completion and communicate lessons learned.
• Analyze incident and observation trends to identify opportunities for risk reduction.

Regulatory Compliance and HSE Programs

• Monitor applicable OSHA, EPA, DOT and other regulatory requirements; communicate relevant changes to the HSE Manager.
• Support HSE audits, regulatory inspections, compliance records and implementation of site procedures.
• Support process safety and chemical safety activities, including hazard identification and action follow-up.

Training and Competency

• Coordinate and deliver new-hire HSE orientation, refresher training and task-specific safety training.
• Support forklift operator training and remedial instruction following violations.
• Manage the respiratory protection program, including fit testing, training and records.

Performance and Administration

• Collect and report HSE KPIs and maintain inspection, incident, training and corrective action records.
• Manage HSE supplies and PPE inventory, including purchasing and expense tracking.
• Support site security badge administration and associated reporting.
• Perform other HSE-related duties as required.

Job Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Typically 2+ years of manufacturing experience; chemical or process industry experience preferred.
• Knowledge of OSHA requirements and practical experience with safety inspections, incident investigations and corrective action management preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong shop-floor communication, coaching and influencing skills.
• Proactive approach to hazard identification and risk reduction.
• Effective problem-solving, organization and follow-through.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Other Requirements

• Flexibility to work across shifts to support site operations.
• Ability to work safely in a manufacturing environment and comply with site safety requirements.

Base salary range for this role is: $70,000 to $80,000. This is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages for this position. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.

• Benefits starting Day 1
• 401K retirement savings with 6% company match
• Medical insurance with HSA
• Generous vacation, sick and holiday pay
• Annual bonus 7.5% Short Term Incentive
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental leave after 1 year
• Active Diversity & Inclusion Networks
• Employee referral bonus

Acquiring Information

Accepting Responsibility

Accepting Direction

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.