Safety Specialist

Socket.dev; De Soto (KS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Educational assistance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Panasonic Energy in De Soto, Kansas is seeking a Safety Specialist to lead occupational health and safety programs across commissioning and production operations. You will collaborate with employees, leaders, contractors, and stakeholders to identify hazards, support risk assessments, incident investigations, and training.

This role emphasizes regulatory compliance, data-driven safety performance, and continuous improvement, with opportunities to influence safety culture and participate in

Qualifications

• Must have 2+ years of occupational health and safety experience in manufacturing, industrial, construction, commissioning, or similarly regulated environments.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and industry standards (NFPA, ANSI, NEC, ACGIH, NIOSH).
• Experience developing or delivering safety training and supporting hazard/exposure monitoring activities.

Responsibilities

• Support implementation and continuous improvement of occupational health and safety programs and systems.
• Maintain field presence to support safety oversight and incident response.
• Conduct risk assessments, JHA, MOC, inspections, audits, and incident investigations.

Skills

Communication skills

English proficiency

Safety training delivery

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety / EH&S / Industrial Hygiene / Environmental Science

Related work experience may substitute for required education

Job description

Overview

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Safety Specialist? Then we're looking for you! Put your skills to meaningful use, gain unique experience, and work with world-class team members with diverse backgrounds and expertise who share the same vision. Join the PECNA team today!

Responsibilities

Summary

Join us at Panasonic Energy as we expand to De Soto, Kansas, where we’re building the world’s largest lithium-ion battery factory. This is an exciting opportunity to grow your career while contributing to the future of electric vehicles. As part of our team, you’ll help push the limits of battery technology, enhancing performance and efficiency in sustainable transportation.

Our state-of-the-art facility, just outside the Kansas City Metro, will be a hub for innovation in green energy solutions. If you're passionate about sustainability and eager to contribute to the electric vehicle revolution, we invite you to be part of our dynamic team. Join us and make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation.

Job Summary

The Safety Specialist supports the implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of occupational health and safety programs to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and company standards during commissioning and production operations. Working closely with employees, leaders, contractors, and stakeholders, this role helps identify and mitigate workplace hazards, supports risk assessments, audits, inspections, incident investigations, and corrective action activities, and assists with training and emergency preparedness initiatives. The Safety Specialist monitors safety performance metrics and partners with cross-functional teams to promote regulatory compliance, risk reduction, operational excellence, and a positive safety culture.

Essential Duties

Functional Operations

• Support the implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of occupational health and safety programs, policies, procedures, and systems to support regulatory compliance and operational excellence
• Maintain a regular field presence to support safety oversight, employee engagement, hazard recognition, and incident response activities
• Manage safety records, permits, reports, metrics, and documentation to support business needs and regulatory requirements
• Support emergency preparedness and response activities, including drills, exercises, and incident response as needed

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct and support risk assessments, job hazard analysis (JHA), management of change (MOC) activities, and other risk reduction initiatives
• Monitor, analyze, and communicate safety performance metrics, trends, and program effectiveness to support continuous improvement efforts
• Conduct workplace inspections, audits, and operational assessments to identify hazards, verify compliance, and recommend corrective actions
• Support incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective and preventive action processes, including tracking completion and effectiveness
• Support cross-functional initiatives that strengthen safety performance, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence

Training & Team Support

• Develop, maintain, and deliver safety training programs, materials, and resources for employees and contractors
• Provide coaching and guidance on safety requirements, procedures, and best practices
• Support onboarding, safety orientation, and employee engagement initiatives that promote safe work practices and continuous improvement

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication

• Serve as a resource to employees, leaders, contractors, and stakeholders on occupational health and safety requirements, compliance obligations, and company policies
• Communicate safety observations, trends, and improvement opportunities to leaders and employees
• Support regulatory inspections, audits, and interactions with consultants, contractors, and external stakeholders as needed

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local occupational health and safety regulations, standards, and company requirements
• Maintain current knowledge of OSHA regulations, emerging regulatory requirements, and industry best practices

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

• To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for the protection of our employees, wearing PPE is a possibility and may include equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator.

Qualifications

Requirements - Required and/or Preferred

Education, Certifications, and Licenses

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health & Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Science, or a related field
• Relevant work experience may be substituted for required education

Preferred

• Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or active pursuit of professional safety certification
• Occupational safety certifications and training such as OSHA 30-Hour, HAZWOPER, First Aid/CPR, ISO 45001, Lockout/Tagout, Electrical Safety, and Respiratory Protection/Fit Testing

Essential Qualifications

• 2+ years of occupational health and safety experience in manufacturing, industrial, construction, commissioning, or similarly regulated environments
• Experience supporting safety programs, inspections, audits, risk assessments, incident investigations, corrective actions, and contractor safety activities
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and applicable industry standards (e.g., NFPA, ANSI, NEC, ACGIH, and NIOSH)
• Experience developing or delivering safety training and supporting workplace hazard and exposure monitoring activities
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate data and support informed decision-making
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multiple functions
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to support emergency response activities outside normal business hours as needed
• Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking
• Alignment to Panasonic’s seven (7) core principles (contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, gratitude)

Preferred Qualifications

• 4+ years of occupational health and safety experience in manufacturing, industrial, construction, commissioning, or similarly regulated environment
• Familiarity with lithium-ion battery manufacturing, chemical handling, or other high-hazard operations
• Working knowledge of ISO 14001, ISO 45001, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, and occupational exposure assessment principles
• Experience supporting audits, inspections, compliance assessments, safety committees, or cross-functional improvement initiatives
• Experience using EHS management systems and working with consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies

Physical Demands

Physical Activities

• Sit: 20%
• Walk: 40%
• Stand: 40%

Required Lifting and Carrying

Rare (<1%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%), Continuous (67-100%)

For this position, the required frequency is:

• Up to 10 lbs.: Frequent
• Up to 20 lbs.: Occasional
• Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional
• Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Rare

Benefits & Perks - What's In It For You

Panasonic Energy prioritizes total well-being and offers comprehensive benefits options to support physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health:

• Health Benefits– Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Voluntary Benefits– Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP)– 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Paid Time-Off Benefits– Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
• Educational Assistance– Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• Health Management and Wellbeing Programs–Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources. Available to eligible employees starting the first day of the month following your start date. Eligibility for each benefit may vary based on employment status, location, and length of service.
• Employee Recognition Program- High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Annual Bonus Program- Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.
• On-site Food Options: Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events.

Where You'll Be

For our onsite roles, Panasonic Energy is committed to fostering an ideal working environment that goes beyond the conventional. We understand the significance of moments that matter in your onsite experience, and we prioritize creating a workspace that not only promotes productivity but also ensures a fulfilling and positive work atmosphere. Join us at Panasonic Energy, where your onsite presence is valued, and we strive to make each moment count in your professional journey.

Who We Are

Meet Panasonic Energy! At Panasonic Energy, you'll do work that matters as we are dedicated to transforming the world through the acceleration of sustainable energy. By producing safe, high-quality lithium-ion batteries, you become part of a team that plays a crucial role in creating technologies that move us.

Our journey began in 2017, and now, as the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory, we are expanding operations to De Soto, Kansas, providing you with the opportunity to experience career growth in more ways than one.

As an innovative thinker, you'll thrive here, as we continually push the boundaries of lithium-ion battery technology and production capabilities to enhance efficiency and performance in EVs.

Being part of Panasonic Energy means positively contributing to society, aligning with our commitment to building a better world through sustainable energy solutions.

We care about what you care about, fostering an environment where your contributions make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation. Join us and be part of a team that values your work, encourages innovation, and actively contributes to a positive societal impact.

In addition to an environment that is as innovative as our products, we offer competitive salaries and benefits.

We Take Opportunity Seriously

At Panasonic Energy, we are committed to a workplace that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. Fairness and Honesty have been part of our core values for more than 100 years and we are proud of our diverse culture as an equal opportunity employer.

We understand that your career search may look different than others and embrace the professional, personal, educational, and volunteer opportunities through which people gain experience. If you are actively looking or starting to explore new opportunities, submit your application!

Supplemental Information

Pre-employment drug testing is required.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction.

Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America.