Senior HSES Specialist

Job Type: Full-Time / On-Site

Location:  Gastonia, NC

How You’ll Make an Impact

The Sr. HSES Specialist serves as the primary Health, Safety, Environmental, and Security (HSES) leader for an assigned manufacturing site. This position is responsible for implementing and managing site HSES programs, driving regulatory compliance, supporting Process Safety Management (PSM) systems, leading contractor safety activities, coordinating incident investigations, and fostering a strong safety culture.

The Senior HSES Specialist acts as the key liaison between site operations and the Multi-Site Senior HSES Manager, ensuring consistent execution of corporate HSES strategies, Responsible Care® principles, regulatory requirements, and continuous improvement initiatives.

HSES Leadership

• Serve as the primary HSES representative and site lead for all HSES-related activities.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Site Leadership teams to integrate HSES requirements into daily operations.
• Promote a proactive safety culture through visible leadership, employee engagement, coaching, and field presence.
• Facilitate site safety committees and employee involvement programs.
• Participate in site leadership meetings and operational reviews.
• Communicate HSES objectives, metrics, performance trends, and improvement initiatives to site leadership.

Process Safety Management (PSM)

• Coordinate and maintain Process Safety Management programs in compliance with OSHA PSM and EPA Risk Management Program requirements.
• Lead or coordinate Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), Layer of Protection Analyses (LOPA), and associated action item closure.
• Manage the Management of Change (MOC) process for site operations.
• Coordinate Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs) for modified and new processes.
• Support Mechanical Integrity program implementation and compliance activities.
• Participate in process safety incident investigations and root cause analyses.
• Monitor PSM performance indicators and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Regulatory Compliance

• Coordinate site compliance activities related to OSHA, EPA, state, and local requirements.
• Support Responsible Care® and RC14001 management system implementation.
• Conduct routine compliance inspections, audits, and assessments.
• Track corrective actions and ensure timely closure of findings.
• Maintain required regulatory records, permits, reports, and documentation.
• Support agency inspections and regulatory inquiries.

Safety Programs

• Lead implementation and maintenance of site safety programs including:
• Lockout/Tagout

• Confined Space Entry
• Hot Work
• Working at Heights
• Electrical Safety
• Contractor Safety
• Industrial Hygiene Monitoring
• Hazard Communication
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Behavior-Based Safety and Observation Programs

• Perform routine field audits and safety observations.
• Identify opportunities for injury reduction and risk mitigation.
• Track and trend leading and lagging performance indicators.

Contractor Safety Management

• Lead site contractor safety processes.
• Coordinate contractor qualification, onboarding, orientation, and safety expectations.
• Conduct contractor audits and field evaluations.
• Ensure contractor compliance with company HSES requirements.
• Investigate contractor-related incidents and implement corrective actions.

Incident Investigation and Corrective Actions

• Lead investigations for incidents, near misses, and process safety events.
• Facilitate root cause analysis using recognized investigation methodologies.
• Develop corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor action item completion and verify effectiveness.
• Share lessons learned across the organization.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Support site emergency response planning and preparedness activities.
• Coordinate emergency drills and exercises.
• Support Emergency Response Team (ERT) development and readiness.
• Maintain emergency response documentation and equipment inspection programs.
• Participate in incident command and emergency response activities as required.

Environmental Stewardship

• Coordinate closely with HSES Specialists to ensure environmental compliance requirements are effectively implemented.
• Support air, wastewater, stormwater, hazardous waste, and chemical reporting programs.
• Participate in environmental inspections, audits, and permit compliance activities.
• Assist with environmental incident investigations and corrective action implementation.

Training and Employee Development

• Coordinate site HSES training programs.
• Deliver classroom, field, and computer-based HSES training.
• Ensure required regulatory and corporate training records are maintained.
• Coach supervisors and employees on HSES expectations and best practices.
• Support development of HSES competencies across all site functions.

Continuous Improvement

• Analyze HSES performance data and develop improvement plans.
• Support implementation of corporate HSES initiatives and standards.
• Participate in corporate audits, assessments, and management reviews.
• Drive continuous improvement of HSES management systems.

Required Qualifications that Enable Your Success

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, Chemical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 5+  years of HSES experience in a manufacturing, chemical, petrochemical, specialty chemical, or industrial environment.
• Experience working in OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) regulated facilities.
• Experience with incident investigation, root cause analysis, and corrective action management.
• Working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, RCRA, Clean Air Act, and Clean Water Act requirements.
• Strong communication, leadership, and project management skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications That Drive You Forward

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
• Associate Safety Professional (ASP)
• Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
• Experience facilitating Process Hazard Analyses (PHA)
• Experience supporting Mechanical Integrity and Management of Change systems
• Emergency response team leadership experience

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Frequent walking throughout the production facility.
• Ability to climb stairs and access elevated platforms.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including:

• • Hard hat
  • Safety glasses
  • Steel-toed footwear
  • Flame-resistant clothing
  • Respiratory protection when required
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.