Safety & Compliance Specialist

Ashland Specialty Ingredients, GP Are you the kind of person who is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are you a passionate, tenacious solver who loves to work with others who share your drive? Are you positive, constructive, and ingenious? Are you always solving? Then we'd like to meet you and bet you'd like to meet us. Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Safety & Compliance Specialist to join our team in Hopewell, VA. This is a highly visible, significant role within the Company and the EHS&S function. This position will report to the EHS Center of Excellence. The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

Safety Leadership & Engagement:

Drive continuous safety improvement through coaching, employee/contractor engagement, and promote adherence to safety procedures. Build strong partnerships with all salaried and hourly employees, including leaders and front-line supervisors, to improve safety performance and behavior through clear communication, training, and collaborative risk management.

Program Implementation & Audits:

Implement RC-14001 and ACC Responsible Care initiatives, lead audits of safe work permits, participate in safety committees, inspections, and maintain a strong field presence (>50% of time).

Incident Investigation & Compliance:

Maintain OSHA logs, lead injury investigations using Root Cause Analysis, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and company standards.

Training & Development:

Develop and deliver health and safety training (onboarding, refresher courses), coordinate Emergency Response Team training, and support continuing education for EMTs and ECAs.

Hazard Identification & Risk Control:

Recognize existing/potential hazards, develop site safety procedures, oversee industrial hygiene programs, conduct exposure assessments, ergonomic evaluations, and recommend PPE.

Data Analysis & Technical Solutions:

Analyze safety performance metrics, approve new chemicals/materials (including SDS review), and provide hands-on technical solutions for safety issues, programs, and processes. In order to be qualified for this role, you must possess the following:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Safety, Engineering, or related discipline. An AA degree would be considered with relevant work experience.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in chemical plant operations, OSHA regulations, and safety policies.
• Prior Emergency Response Team experience (preferably in a chemical manufacturing environment).
• Ability to respond appropriately during site emergencies, including weekends and callouts.
• Physical capability to work in a plant environment (walking, climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling).
• Experience with fire suppression systems in a chemical manufacturing setting.
• Strong problem-solving skill.

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