EHS Specialist

KDC is a network of best-in-class custom formulators and manufacturers of color cosmetics, skincare, haircare, bath & body, fragrance, deodorant, home, health, industrial, and auto care products. KDC delivers high-touch innovation, operational excellence, and speed to market to well-known and emerging beauty, personal, and specialty companies from coast to coast. KDC has its head office in Longueuil, Québec. In addition, KDC has 10 operating facilities located throughout North America. Altogether, the company employs nearly 4,800 talented and dedicated employees in North America.

Position Summary

The Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining environmental, health, safety, and workers' compensation programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while promoting a culture of safety throughout the organization. This role serves as a key resource for accident prevention, regulatory compliance, employee safety training, workers' compensation administration, environmental stewardship, and risk management within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Strong workers' compensation experience is essential. Spanish language skills are highly preferred due to frequent interaction with a bilingual workforce.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Environmental, Health & Safety

• Lead and support all facility EHS programs, ensuring compliance with OSHA, Cal/OSHA, EPA, and other applicable regulations.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve safety policies, procedures, and training programs.
• Conduct routine facility safety inspections, audits, risk assessments, and hazard analyses.
• Perform incident investigations, root cause analyses, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Maintain OSHA logs, injury records, training documentation, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Conduct new hire safety orientation and ongoing employee safety training.
• Develop and maintain Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) and hazard-specific training matrices.
• Evaluate and recommend appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Lead emergency preparedness initiatives, including drills, emergency response planning, and response team coordination.
• Partner with operations and department managers to identify and mitigate workplace risks.
• Monitor regulatory developments and communicate compliance requirements to management.

Environmental Compliance

• Maintain environmental permits, records, and reporting requirements.
• Administer hazardous waste, recycling, and pollution prevention programs.
• Ensure compliance with stormwater, air quality, hazardous materials, and waste management regulations.
• Conduct environmental inspections and maintain environmental management systems.
• Support sustainability initiatives and environmental performance improvement programs.
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies during inspections, audits, or inquiries.

Workers' Compensation & Risk Management

• Serve as the facility lead for workers' compensation administration and claim management.
• Conduct thorough investigations of all occupational injuries and illnesses.
• Manage workers' compensation claims from initial reporting through claim closure.
• Coordinate with insurance carriers, third-party administrators, occupational health clinics, medical providers, and employees.
• Ensure timely reporting of workplace injuries and compliance with claims management requirements.
• Monitor claim reserves, lost time, modified duty assignments, and return-to-work programs.
• Track injury trends and recommend corrective actions to reduce claim frequency and severity.
• Partner closely with Human Resources, Operations, Payroll, and Safety teams regarding claim status and employee accommodations.
• Assist injured employees throughout the workers' compensation process and ensure proper documentation.
• Maintain accurate claim records and provide workers' compensation metrics and reports to leadership.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, Risk Management, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive EHS experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 3 years of hands-on workers' compensation claims management experience.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA/Cal-OSHA regulations, incident investigations, and injury prevention programs.
• Experience managing return-to-work, modified duty, and claim administration processes.
• Experience conducting safety training and employee coaching.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Ability to work independently while influencing leaders and employees at all levels.

Preferred

• Cosmetics, personal care, pharmaceutical, food, or other FDA-regulated manufacturing experience.
• Professional certifications such as ASP, CSP, OHST, CHMM, or related credentials.
• Experience with ESG reporting platforms such as EcoVadis or CDP.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred;
• Experience working with captive insurance programs or self-insured workers' compensation environments.

Key Competencies

• Workers' Compensation Administration
• Regulatory Compliance
• Accident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis
• OSHA / Cal-OSHA Compliance
• Environmental Compliance
• Risk Assessment & Hazard Identification
• Safety Training & Employee Engagement
• Return-to-Work Program Management
• Claims Management
• Leadership & Influence
• Project Management
• Continuous Improvement

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to walk, stand, bend, kneel, and climb stairs throughout the workday.
• Frequent movement throughout manufacturing, warehouse, and office environments.
• Ability to respond to emergencies and conduct facility inspections.

Work Environment

• Manufacturing and production environment.
• Exposure to equipment, machinery, forklifts, and warehouse traffic.
• Indoor and outdoor work as required.
• Moderate noise levels and varying environmental conditions.

KDC-ONE is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. I understand that employment with KDC-ONE Company is at-will, meaning that I or KDC-ONE Company may terminate my employment at any time, or for any reason consistent with applicable state or federal law. I understand that KDC-One requires the successful completion of a drug and/or alcohol test as a condition of employment.