The Environmental Health & Safety Specialist serves as the on‑site champion for safety, compliance, and risk reduction within the distribution center. This role blends regulatory knowledge, hands‑on hazard control, and cross‑department collaboration to ensure the facility operates safely, efficiently, and are audit‑ready. The Environmental Health & Safety Specialist serves as BFG's primary environmental, health, and safety professional for the distribution centers. This role is responsible for establishing, implementing, and continuously improving the company's safety and environmental compliance programs. The Specialist partners with operations leadership to build a proactive safety culture, ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, reduce organizational risk, and drive continuous improvement in workplace safety.
Compensation Data: Exempt salary, based on experience.
Location: Grand Rapids, MI – 100% Onsite
Schedule: M-F, 8-5 with flexibility
Travel: 50% to other BFG Facilities
Key Areas of Responsibilities:
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Safety Culture Leadership - Promote and reinforce a “safety first” mindset by identifying risks and preventing injuries and illnesses.
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Regulatory Compliance – Develop, implement, and maintain compliance with OSHA, EPA, DOT, NFPA, and state/local regulations; prepare for inspections and audits.
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Program Management – Establish, implement, and continuously improve safety programs including LOTO, machine guarding, forklift safety, chemical handling, PPE standards, and hazard communication.
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Training & Coaching – Develop training programs and conduct safety training for new hires and existing employees; maintain training programs and records; coach supervisors on safe work practices.
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Risk Assessments - Perform Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), ergonomic assessments, and facility inspections to identify and mitigate risks.
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Hazard Monitoring - Monitors the use of hazardous chemicals and machinery, ensuring machine guards and safety procedures are properly followed.
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Incident Investigation - Leads investigations, root‑cause analyses, corrective actions, and reporting for injuries, near misses, and environmental events.
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Emergency Preparedness – Develop, implement and maintain emergency action plans, conduct drills, and coordinate with local fire and emergency services.
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Documentation & Reporting – Establish and maintains Safety Data Sheets (SDS), prepares and submits OSHA reports, manages accident and workers' compensation reporting, and oversees preventive maintenance on equipment.
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Hazardous Materials Compliance - Leads efforts to ensure compliance with SDS and hazardous materials documentation across multiple departments.
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Safety Equipment Oversight - Manages the maintenance of safety equipment (e.g., safety glasses, AEDs, first aid kits).
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KPI Tracking – Develop and monitor KPIs such as TRIR, DART, near misses, audit scores, and environmental metrics.
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Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% of the time.
Key Performance Indicators:
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Safety Outcomes - Delivers measurable safety outcomes across accident and illness reduction, emergency preparedness, hazard identification and mitigation, employee training, equipment safety, and proper PPE use.
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Operational Adaptability - Regularly audits and adapts plans and priorities to address resource and operational challenges.
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Regulatory Compliance - Company is compliant with regulatory requirements.
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TRIR Reduction - Reduction in recordable injuries (TRIR)
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Corrective Action Completion - Completion rate of corrective actions.
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Cross-Functional Collaboration - Works effectively and respectively with colleagues across all levels of the organization.
What you will need to succeed:
Education & Qualifications:
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A bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, Environmental Health, or a closely related field required.
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Professional certification such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) strongly preferred.
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A strong background in hazardous materials handling, industrial hygiene, and ergonomics
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OSHA 30, HAZWOPER, and First Aid/CPR preferred
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Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in a warehouse distribution environment.
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Strong knowledge of federal and state workplace safety laws and OSHA regulations.
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Ability to lead during emergencies with composure and clear decision-making.
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Solid understanding of the legal requirements, implications, and potential consequences associated with workplace accidents.
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Familiarity with industrial machinery, equipment, and hazardous materials.
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Strong evaluation skills to assess training effectiveness and safety initiatives.
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Professionalism and strong interpersonal skills; able to build positive relationships at all levels.
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Demonstrate Strong interpersonal skills, building positive relationships at all levels and using appropriate humor to foster an engaging, supportive work environment.
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Ability to mentor others and support culture aligned with BFG “GROW” values.
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Highly organized with strong attention to detail and multi-tasking capabilities.
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Proficient in Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
Why Join BFG Supply:
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Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Insurance Coverage
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HSA or FSA with employer contribution
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Employer Provided Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Benefits
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FMLA, AD&D, Voluntary Benefits, EAP, Teladoc
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401(k) Contribution Matching Program
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Paid Vacation and Holidays
Our Commitment and Difference:
BFG values ongoing improvement and growth, not only for our individual team, but also for our entire organization. We foster a culture that promotes learning, innovation, development, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our business. We are a fast-growing company, integrating the latest systems and technologies to streamline our internal operations and elevate the total customer experience.
Founded in 1972, BFG Supply has a long history of serving the Green Industry including Professional Grower, Independent Lawn & Garden, Controlled Environment Agriculture and Hydroponic industries. As an established industry leader, BFG provides the highest levels of customer service, the broadest product range, and innovative technology solutions. BFG is a true single source supplier for all your Green Industry needs from watering tools and control solutions to multi-acre fully integrated professional greenhouse structures. In a world full of change you can take comfort in knowing that BFG Supply is focused on caring for your business needs. We look forward to providing the best customer service in the industry and supporting the growth of our customers.
BFG Supply Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act*), or any other legally protected status, with respect to employment opportunities.
E-Verify: We verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.
