Senior EHS Specialist

The Marzetti Company; Altoona (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Marzetti Company is seeking a Senior EHS Specialist to support and enhance our Environmental, Health, Safety, and Security programs at our Altoona, IA facility. This role provides hands-on support across shifts, identifies hazards, and helps reduce risk in partnership with site leadership.

Responsibilities include leading investigations, administering safety programs, training employees, and coordinating environmental compliance and safety initiatives with operations and HR.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience in the EHS&S profession; manufacturing experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of OSHA/EPA requirements; experience with workers’ compensation and security activities.
• Ability to assess risk, implement practical controls, and follow through on corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Implement and sustain elements of the EHS&S management system under the Site EHS Manager guidance.
• Conduct floor observations, inspections, audits, and risk assessments across functions.
• Lead or support incident and near-miss investigations; implement corrective actions with owners.

Skills

EHS risk assessment

OSHA/EPA compliance

Incident investigation

Cross-functional collaboration

Training and coaching

Documentation and recordkeeping

Travel up to 20%

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health and Safety or related field

Tools

EHS management systems

Job description

Overview

The Senior EHS Specialist reports directly to the Site EHS Manager and supports the implementation and continuous improvement of the facility’s Environmental, Health, Safety, and Security (EHS&S) programs. This position serves as a technical resource, leads assigned programs and projects, and works closely with employees and site leadership to identify hazards, reduce risk, and maintain compliance with applicable requirements and company standards. The specialist provides hands‑on support across all shifts and escalates significant risks, incidents, and compliance concerns to the Site EHS Manager.

Responsibilities → What You’ll Do

• Implement and sustain assigned elements of the Marzetti EHS&S management system under the direction of the Site EHS Manager.
• Conduct routine floor observations, inspections, audits, and task‑based risk assessments with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and Sanitation. Address immediate hazards and track corrective actions through Integrated Management System.
• Lead or support incident and near‑miss investigations, identify root causes, and partner with action owners to implement effective corrective measures.
• Administer assigned safety programs, which may include lockout/tagout, machine guarding, confined spaces, walking‑working surfaces and fall protection, powered industrial trucks, electrical safety, chemical safety, ergonomics, and contractor safety.
• Partner with Engineering and Maintenance to assess EHS&S risks associated with new equipment, process changes, and facility projects before startup or implementation.
• Coordinate and deliver employee and contractor EHS&S training; evaluate understanding and maintain accurate training and qualification records in partnership with Human Resources and department leaders.
• Support and coordinate assigned elements of the facility’s Process Safety Management (PSM) and Risk Management Program (RMP) under the direction of the Site EHS Manager.
• Support the Marzetti Operational Excellence (MOE) Safety Pillar and employee engagement activities. Coordinate behavior‑based safety observations, analyze findings, and use results to improve working conditions and safe behaviors.
• Maintain accurate incident records, OSHA recordkeeping documentation, and workers’ compensation files. Coordinate claims, medical follow‑up, and return‑to‑work activities with the Site EHS Manager, Human Resources, and designated providers while protecting confidential information.
• Coordinate assigned environmental compliance activities, including permit tracking, inspections, waste management, required sampling, reporting, and record retention. Support environmental sustainability initiatives.
• Support emergency preparedness through response plans, drills, equipment inspections, and coordination with designated site responders.
• Coordinate assigned physical security activities, including access control, cameras, fencing, guard stations, and alarm systems; elevate deficiencies and support corrective action.
• Prepare for and support internal and external audits and regulatory inspections. Coordinate agency communications and responses through the Site EHS Manager and designated corporate resources.
• Analyze incident, observation, audit, and compliance data; communicate trends and recommended actions to the Site EHS Manager and site leadership. Prepare accurate, timely site and corporate reports.
• Coach employees and supervisors on safe work practices and hazard recognition. Intervene when unsafe conditions or behaviors are observed, initiate stop‑work actions consistent with company policy, and promptly escape unresolved concerns.
• Partner with department managers and shift supervisors to integrate EHS&S expectations into daily operations, housekeeping, and work planning. Support applicable quality, food safety, and HACCP programs.
• Lead and facilitate the site safety committee under the direction of the site EHS Manager. Coordinate participation across departments and shifts, prepare meeting agendas, engage employees in hazard identification and improvement opportunities, and track assigned actions through verified completion.
• Provide technical guidance and lead assigned cross‑functional initiatives without direct supervisory responsibility. Perform other related duties as assigned by the Site EHS Manager.

Qualifications → What You’ll Bring

• 1–3 years of experience in the EHS&S profession required; manufacturing experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of applicable occupational safety and environmental requirements, including OSHA and EPA requirements, and experience supporting workers’ compensation and physical security activities.
• Ability to assess risk, recommend practical controls, manage competing priorities, and follow corrective actions through completion.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills; ability to influence employees and leaders, facilitate discussions, and work effectively across functions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and EHS management systems; ability to maintain accurate records, analyze data, and communicate findings.
• Ability and willingness to support all shifts as needed and travel to other locations up to 20% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental health and safety, occupational safety, environmental science, or a related field.
• Experience in food manufacturing and familiarity with food safety and sanitation operations.
• Relevant professional certification, such as ASP, CSP, CIH, CHMM.
• Experience supporting PSM and RMP programs in a manufacturing environment, preferably involving ammonia refrigeration systems.

Working Conditions/Environment

Works in a manufacturing environment where the employee is regularly required to speak, read, sit, stand, lift, reach, and bend while moving about the facility. Must be able to stand up for an 8–12-hour shift (sometimes longer) with regular breaks. Earplugs, hairnets and steel‑toed shoes are required per company and plant GMP and Safety requirements.