Ramp Safety Specialist — Real-Time Coaching & Compliance

SkyChefs; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job description

Since 1942, SkyChefs has taken culinary excellence to new heights. As a trusted partner to the nation’s leading airlines and retailers, we proudly deliver millions of meals and exceptional service experiences every year across 43 sites throughout the United States. Built on a legacy of operational excellence, culinary expertise, and continuous innovation, we are committed to setting the industry standard in aviation culinary, airline services, last-mile logistics, and retail commerce. From the kitchen to the runway, our teams work together to deliver quality, reliability, and service at every altitude. Our people are the heart of everything we do. At SkyChefs, a career is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to grow, lead, and make an impact in a fast-paced, team-driven environment. Join America’s first, foremost, and finest and take your career to new heights.

Summary

We are expanding our operations in Chicago. At SkyChefs, safety is at the heart of everything we do. The Safety Specialist plays a key role in supporting our safety and compliance efforts. This is a field-facing operational support role within the SkyChefs Safety Department. This role is responsible for strengthening safe performance on the ramp. This position supports ramp personnel through training readiness, airside compliance reinforcement, and incident follow-up and resolution. The Safety Specialist works directly with leadership, frontline employees, and the customer to reduce risk related to airside driving, aircraft right-of-way, and catering operations, while ensuring safety controls, required training, and documentation remain current and audit ready. This position spends a significant portion of each shift supporting ramp operations in the field through observations, coaching reinforcement, and incident investigation and follow-up activities.

Location: near Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Schedule: Must be able to work open availability within 05:00–23:00, including weekends and holidays.

Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package with no waiting period. Eligible Day 1.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a regular ramp presence to support safety execution and reinforce compliance expectations.
• Conduct Ramp Safety Observations and focus on airside driving behavior, right-of-way compliance, speed control, situational awareness, and safe operations on the ramp.
• Provide real-time coaching to reinforce SOP compliance and reduce repeat risk behaviors.
• Support supervisors with safety briefings by reinforcing targeted themes
• Initial safety response to ramp events (procedural violations, vehicle accidents, aircraft contact risk, near-miss).
• Help gather incident-related information such as initial statements, scene context, shift/flight details, operator assignments, and required follow-up training actions.
• Support new hire onboarding for ramp personnel by verifying readiness-requirements are met before independent operation.
• Distribute and track completion of safety communications including acknowledgements, safety alerts, and targeted awareness campaigns.
• Maintain station-level visual safety communications (safety boards, postings, key reminders) relevant to ramp hazards and current operational risks.
• Additional tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1+ year experience in airport operations, airline catering, ramp/GSE operations, transportation safety, or safety administration preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities.
• Strong written communication skills for documentation, reporting, and operational follow-ups.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Must meet all company and airport security requirements necessary to work at ORD.
• Prior airside driving exposure and familiarity with ramp right-of-way rules and safe operating practices.
• Experience supporting incident documentation and corrective action tracking.

Physical Requirements:

• Combination of office work and active ramp environment with a significant portion of duties to be executed on the ramp.
• Requires regular walking and standing in operational areas.
• Exposure to noise, varying temperatures, and outdoor conditions.
• Must be able to safely work around vehicles and aircraft movement areas.

SkyChefs is an EEO and affirmative action employer of women/minorities/veterans/individuals with disabilities.