Plant EHS Coordinator (Milwaukee)

Title: Plant EHS Coordinator

Location: Plant

Department #: 981-5

Position Reports to: EHS Manager

FLSA: Salaried Exempt

Position Overview:

At Wikoff Color Corporation, we’re proud to be employee-owned, which means every team member has a stake in our success. We believe in building a workplace where people feel valued, empowered, and invested in the future.

The Plant EHS Coordinator supports the day-to-day execution of Wikoff’s environmental, health, and safety programs at the plant level, ensuring the site operates safely and in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and company policies. Working under the direction of the EHS Manager and closely with plant leadership and production employees, this role conducts inspections, delivers training, supports incident investigations, maintains EHS records, and helps ensure that the flammable, odorous, and otherwise hazardous materials used in ink manufacturing are stored, handled, and disposed of safely. The EHS Coordinator is a visible, hands-on presence on the plant floor and a key champion of the site’s safety culture.

Key Responsibilities:

Environmental Compliance

• Support site compliance with environmental permits and regulations (e.g., EPA, RCRA, CAA, CWA, EPCRA, DOT) under the direction of the EHS Manager
• Manage day-to-day hazardous and non-hazardous waste activities, including container labeling, accumulation area inspections, waste pickups, and manifest recordkeeping
• Collect and track site data for environmental reports and permits (e.g., solvent and raw material usage, air emissions, waste volumes, chemical inventories)
• Perform routine environmental inspections, including stormwater, secondary containment, and tank and drum storage areas
• Support DOT hazardous materials shipping compliance at the site, including labeling, marking, placarding, and shipping paper checks
• Respond to and document spills and releases, and keep spill kits and response equipment stocked and ready

Health & Safety

• Conduct regular plant safety inspections and audits; document findings and track corrective actions to completion
• Implement site-level OSHA programs, including Hazard Communication, PPE, lockout/tagout, confined space, powered industrial trucks, machine guarding, hearing conservation, and emergency action plans
• Administer the site respiratory protection program, including fit testing and coordinating medical clearances
• Participate in investigations of injuries, near-misses, and environmental incidents; help identify root causes and follow up on corrective actions
• Complete initial injury reports, maintain the site OSHA 300/300A/301 logs, and support HR on workers’ compensation and return-to-work cases
• Coordinate site safety committee meetings and employee safety engagement activities
• Issue and audit permits for hot work, confined space entry, and other high-risk tasks, and orient contractors on site safety rules

Chemical & Process Safety

• Monitor safe storage, handling, and transfer of flammable liquids (e.g., acetone and other solvents), including bonding and grounding checks, ignition source controls, and flammable storage areas
• Monitor ammonia and other odorous or hazardous chemical storage and handling areas, and respond to and document odor concerns
• Support housekeeping and dust control in pigment and powder handling areas
• Conduct or coordinate industrial hygiene sampling (e.g., solvent vapors, ammonia, noise, dust) as directed by the EHS Manager
• Review new raw materials, equipment, and process changes at the site for EHS concerns and elevate to the EHS Manager
• Maintain the site SDS library and chemical inventory, and ensure all containers are properly labeled
• Inspect and maintain emergency equipment, including eyewash stations, safety showers, fire extinguishers, and first aid supplies

Training & Recordkeeping

• Deliver new-hire EHS orientation and recurring training (e.g., HazCom, PPE, forklift, lockout/tagout, spill response, emergency evacuation), and maintain training records
• Coordinate emergency drills and serve as a site emergency response contact
• Maintain site EHS documentation for internal audits and regulatory inspections, and support the EHS Manager during agency visits
• Track and report site EHS metrics (e.g., incidents, near-misses, inspection findings, training completion) to plant leadership and the EHS Manager
• Other duties assigned by management

Key Deliverables:

• Site inspections and audits completed on schedule, with corrective actions tracked to closure
• 100% completion of required EHS training for site employees, with current training records
• Accurate, on-time site data submitted for environmental reports and permits
• Waste accumulation, labeling, and shipping managed with no regulatory violations
• Year-over-year reduction in site recordable incidents with increased near-miss reporting
• Emergency equipment inspections and emergency drills completed per schedule

Reporting Structure:

• Reports To: EHS Manager

Educational Requirements:

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health & Safety, Environmental Science, or related field (preferred); an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
• OSHA 30-Hour General Industry (required, or obtained within 6 months of hire)
• 40-Hour HAZWOPER, RCRA hazardous waste, DOT hazardous materials, and First Aid/CPR/AED training (preferred)
• Associate Safety Professional (ASP) or similar certification (a plus)

Required Experience:

• 2–4 years of EHS experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in chemical, ink, coatings, or other process manufacturing
• Working knowledge of OSHA general industry standards and EPA hazardous waste requirements
• Experience conducting safety inspections, delivering training, and maintaining compliance records
• Familiarity with the safe handling and storage of flammable and hazardous chemicals
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and coach employees on the plant floor
• Ability to work independently and elevate issues appropriately

Working Conditions:

• Primarily manufacturing plant floor, with some office work
• Minimal travel; occasional travel to other Wikoff sites or for training
• Regular exposure to production areas with flammable solvents, strong-odor and hazardous chemicals, noise, and moving equipment
• Must wear required PPE, including respiratory protection when needed (medical clearance and fit testing required)
• Flexibility to support multiple shifts and occasional weekends; may respond to spills or emergencies outside normal working hours

Effort/Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand and walk for long periods on the plant floor
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders, bend, and reach to inspect equipment and storage areas
• Lifting/pushing/pulling up to 50 lbs.

Health and Safety Responsibilities:

• Must work in accordance with Health and Safety regulations, Company Rules, Plant Rules, policies and procedures.
• Must use or wear equipment, protective devices, or certain clothing as required by the company.

Benefits:

• Competitive pay and overtime opportunities
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• 401(k)
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• Career development and training opportunities
• Clean, safe, and team-oriented work environment

This position contributes to a quality product by ensuring overall compliance to defined Product Specifications, the Quality Management System, and the Quality Policy. Additionally, this position promotes a safe work environment by complying with the defined Safety rules, GMP and regulations at all times.