Safety Specialist

Panasonic • De Soto, KS

40d • Onsite

About The Position

Join Panasonic Energy as we expand to De Soto, Kansas, building the world’s largest lithium-ion battery factory. This role offers an exciting opportunity to grow your career while contributing to the future of electric vehicles and pushing the limits of battery technology. Our state-of-the-art facility will be a hub for innovation in green energy solutions. If you're passionate about sustainability and eager to contribute to the electric vehicle revolution, we invite you to be part of our dynamic team and make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation.

The Safety Specialist supports the implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of occupational health and safety programs to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and company standards during commissioning and production operations. This role identifies and mitigates workplace hazards, supports risk assessments, audits, inspections, incident investigations, and corrective action activities, and assists with training and emergency preparedness initiatives. The Safety Specialist monitors safety performance metrics and partners with cross-functional teams to promote regulatory compliance, risk reduction, operational excellence, and a positive safety culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health & Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Science, or a related field (Relevant work experience may be substituted for required education).
• 2+ years of occupational health and safety experience in manufacturing, industrial, construction, commissioning, or similarly regulated environments.
• Experience supporting safety programs, inspections, audits, risk assessments, incident investigations, corrective actions, and contractor safety activities.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and applicable industry standards (e.g., NFPA, ANSI, NEC, ACGIH, and NIOSH).
• Experience developing or delivering safety training and supporting workplace hazard and exposure monitoring activities.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate data and support informed decision-making.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multiple functions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to support emergency response activities outside normal business hours as needed.
• Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking.
• Alignment to Panasonic’s seven (7) core principles (contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, gratitude).
• Wearing PPE is a possibility and may include equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator.

Nice To Haves

• Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or active pursuit of professional safety certification.
• Occupational safety certifications and training such as OSHA 30-Hour, HAZWOPER, First Aid/CPR, ISO 45001, Lockout/Tagout, Electrical Safety, and Respiratory Protection/Fit Testing.
• 4+ years of occupational health and safety experience in manufacturing, industrial, construction, commissioning, or similarly regulated environment.
• Familiarity with lithium-ion battery manufacturing, chemical handling, or other high-hazard operations.
• Working knowledge of ISO 14001, ISO 45001, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, and occupational exposure assessment principles.
• Experience supporting audits, inspections, compliance assessments, safety committees, or cross-functional improvement initiatives.
• Experience using EHS management systems and working with consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of occupational health and safety programs, policies, procedures, and systems to support regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
• Maintain a regular field presence to support safety oversight, employee engagement, hazard recognition, and incident response activities.
• Manage safety records, permits, reports, metrics, and documentation to support business needs and regulatory requirements.
• Support emergency preparedness and response activities, including drills, exercises, and incident response as needed.
• Conduct and support risk assessments, job hazard analysis (JHA), management of change (MOC) activities, and other risk reduction initiatives.
• Monitor, analyze, and communicate safety performance metrics, trends, and program effectiveness to support continuous improvement efforts.
• Conduct workplace inspections, audits, and operational assessments to identify hazards, verify compliance, and recommend corrective actions.
• Support incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective and preventive action processes, including tracking completion and effectiveness.
• Support cross-functional initiatives that strengthen safety performance, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.
• Develop, maintain, and deliver safety training programs, materials, and resources for employees and contractors.
• Provide coaching and guidance on safety requirements, procedures, and best practices.
• Support onboarding, safety orientation, and employee engagement initiatives that promote safe work practices and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a resource to employees, leaders, contractors, and stakeholders on occupational health and safety requirements, compliance obligations, and company policies.
• Communicate safety observations, trends, and improvement opportunities to leaders and employees.
• Support regulatory inspections, audits, and interactions with consultants, contractors, and external stakeholders as needed.
• Support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local occupational health and safety regulations, standards, and company requirements.
• Maintain current knowledge of OSHA regulations, emerging regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
• Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources.
• High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition.
• Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.
• Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level