Safety Specialist

New Horizons Baking Company; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance (company‑p

Disability and life insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation

Employee appreciation lunches and PR/認

Professional development and career

Job summary

New Horizons Baking Company is seeking a knowledgeable, proactive Safety Specialist for our Columbus manufacturing facility. You will implement and maintain occupational health and safety initiatives, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster a proactive safety culture.

You will partner with Plant leadership, HR, Production, Maintenance, Sanitation, and QA to drive safe practices and training. The role requires strong communication, problem-solving, and mentorship to engage employees at all

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; associate degree or certificate in Occupational Safety and Health preferred.
• Previous experience supporting workplace safety programs in manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and general industry safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support EHS program implementation, administration and continuous improvement.
• Monitor OSHA compliance and safety procedures across the facility.
• Conduct safety inspections, audits and hazard assessments; recommend corrective actions.
• Deliver safety training; maintain training records and certifications.
• Investigate incidents and assist with root-cause analyses and corrective actions.
• Promote safety culture and employee engagement through meetings and programs.

Skills

Safety training

OSHA regulations

Communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree / certificate in safety

Job description

About New Horizons Baking Company

Since 1967, New Horizons Baking Company has proudly partnered with some of the nation's most recognizable food brands. We specialize in producing high-quality, ready-to-eat bakery products, including hamburger buns and pancakes, serving more than 2,000 quick-service restaurants, retail chains, and sandwich makers throughout the Midwest.

Our Columbus Facility

Our Columbus facility represents the continued evolution of our business, combining innovation, operational excellence, and modern manufacturing technology. With high-speed production lines and dedicated pancake production operations, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency.

Hiring Aspiring Professionals

As our operations continue to grow, we are seeking dedicated professionals who are passionate about workplace safety, employee development, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Compensation & Benefits

Annual Salary: $70,000–$80,000 (Based on Experience)

• Medical insurance
• Company-paid dental and vision insurance
• Disability and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid vacation
• Employee appreciation lunches and recognition events
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities

Position Summary

New Horizons Baking Company is seeking a knowledgeable, proactive, and results-driven Safety Specialist to support and strengthen our workplace health and safety programs at our Columbus manufacturing facility. Reporting to the Safety Manager, this position will play a critical role in implementing and maintaining occupational health and safety initiatives, ensuring regulatory compliance, identifying and mitigating workplace hazards, and promoting a proactive safety culture throughout the organization. The Safety Specialist will partner closely with plant leadership, Human Resources, Production, Maintenance, Sanitation, and Quality Assurance to drive safe work practices, conduct safety training, investigate incidents, and implement corrective and preventive actions. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of manufacturing safety regulations, excellent communication and problem-solving skills, and the ability to engage employees at all levels in creating a safe, compliant, and productive work environment.

Workplace Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Support the implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of the company's Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs, policies, and procedures.
• Monitor compliance with applicable OSHA regulations, company safety standards, and established workplace safety procedures.
• Conduct routine facility inspections, safety audits, and workplace hazard assessments to identify unsafe conditions and behaviors.
• Recommend and assist with implementing corrective actions to eliminate or minimize workplace hazards.
• Support compliance with established safety programs, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Hazard Communication, Fall Protection, Confined Space Entry, Powered Industrial Trucks, Electrical Safety, and Machine Guarding.
• Maintain accurate safety documentation, inspection records, and regulatory compliance materials.
• Partner with plant leadership to reinforce accountability for safe work practices and regulatory compliance.

Safety Training & Employee Development

• Coordinate and conduct new hire safety orientation, ongoing employee safety training, and required refresher programs.
• Support the development, implementation, and effectiveness of the company's employee qualification and safety training processes.
• Deliver classroom and hands‑on training covering OSHA requirements, GMPs, HACCP awareness, PPE, LOTO, forklift safety, sanitation, fall protection, Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), confined space procedures, and electrical safety awareness.
• Maintain training records, certifications, and completion documentation to ensure compliance with company and regulatory requirements.
• Identify training gaps and collaborate with department leadership to develop targeted safety education initiatives.
• Facilitate safety meetings, toolbox talks, and employee engagement activities that reinforce safe work behaviors.

Incident Investigation & Risk Prevention

• Participate in workplace incident, injury, illness, and near‑miss investigations to identify root causes and contributing factors.
• Assist with developing, implementing, and tracking corrective and preventive actions to reduce workplace risks and prevent recurrence.
• Monitor safety trends, incident data, and leading indicators to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support hazard identification, job safety analyses, and risk assessments for production equipment, maintenance activities, and operational processes.
• Collaborate with supervisors and department managers to address unsafe conditions and reinforce preventive safety measures.
• Assist with emergency preparedness initiatives, evacuation procedures, and emergency response training.

Continuous Improvement & Safety Culture

• Promote a positive, proactive safety culture through employee engagement, coaching, education, and consistent communication.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Sanitation, Quality Assurance, and Human Resources to integrate safety expectations into daily operations.
• Support safety committees, facility‑wide safety initiatives, and continuous improvement projects.
• Assist in evaluating existing safety procedures and recommending improvements that enhance employee protection and operational efficiency.
• Provide guidance and support to supervisors and employees regarding safety expectations, regulatory requirements, and safe work practices.
• Support the Safety Manager with additional safety projects, reporting requirements, and organizational initiatives as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate degree or certificate in Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Health and Safety, or a related field preferred.
• Previous experience supporting workplace safety programs, preferably within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Demonstrated experience conducting employee safety training and reinforcing workplace safety standards.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and general industry safety requirements.
• Familiarity with manufacturing safety programs, including LOTO, PPE, Hazard Communication, Machine Guarding, and Powered Industrial Truck Safety.
• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to conduct safety inspections, identify workplace hazards, and recommend effective corrective actions.
• Ability to develop and deliver engaging classroom and hands‑on training.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and the ability to maintain accurate electronic records and reports.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing responsibilities, and collaborate effectively across departments.
• Willingness to maintain a visible, hands‑on presence throughout the manufacturing facility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Health and Safety, Industrial Safety, or a related discipline.
• Experience in food manufacturing, bakery production, or other high‑volume manufacturing environments.
• OSHA 10‑Hour or OSHA 30‑Hour General Industry training.
• HACCP certification or working knowledge of food safety and GMP requirements.
• Forklift trainer certification or experience conducting Powered Industrial Truck training.
• First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
• Experience supporting incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action programs.
• Experience working within multi‑site manufacturing operations.
• Familiarity with safety management systems, regulatory reporting, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Work is performed primarily within an active food manufacturing environment, with exposure to production equipment, moving machinery, varying temperatures, and elevated noise levels.
• Must be comfortable working on the production floor and interacting regularly with employees and operational leadership.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and navigate manufacturing areas for extended periods.
• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment and comply with all facility safety and sanitation requirements.
• Flexibility to adjust work schedules as necessary to support safety training, investigations, and operational needs across multiple shifts.

Additional Information

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be required to perform additional duties as assigned by management to support business and operational needs.

Equal Employment Opportunity

New Horizons Baking Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.