Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist at Butterball Farms, Inc. – Grand Rapids, Michigan

Join a Mission That Matters — Enrich Lives with Butterball® Farms

At Butterball® Farms, we’re more than a butter manufacturer — we’re a purpose-driven organization committed to making a meaningful impact. For over 60 years, we’ve partnered with some of the world’s leading food brands to craft innovative, value-added butter products that bring quality and flavor to millions of tables. Yet what truly sets us apart isn’t just what we make — it’s why we make it. Our mission is simple and powerful: to Enrich Lives, inside and outside our walls.

Recognized as one of West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For, Butterball Farms is where talent is developed, ideas are championed, and collaboration fuels results. We foster an environment where people are empowered to grow, contribute, and lead — because when our team members thrive, our business does too.

We operate as one team, united by shared values and a commitment to continuous improvement. We celebrate wins, learn from challenges, and consistently raise the bar as we evolve and scale. Every new voice strengthens our foundation and helps us build what’s next.

Our dedication to enriching lives extends beyond our products and into the communities we serve. We actively create opportunities for individuals who have been impacted by the criminal justice system, offering meaningful work and a pathway toward a new future. We believe in second chances, investing in potential, and opening doors that build stronger individuals, stronger families, and stronger communities.

At Butterball® Farms, purpose and performance go hand in hand — and the work we do together truly makes a difference.

What We Offer

At Butterball® Farms, we believe our team members are our greatest investment — that’s why we offer a comprehensive, competitive benefits package designed to support your growth and well-being, both at work and beyond.

• Opportunities for Growth & Advancement
  • Build your career in an environment that encourages development, accountability, and internal promotion.
• High-Performance Culture
  • Join a workplace where we challenge each other to grow, think differently, and deliver our best — every shift, every day.
• Inclusive & Supportive Environment
  • We celebrate diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect. Every voice matters.
• Competitive Pay & Shift Premiums
  • Additional premiums for 2nd and 3rd shift roles.
• Comprehensive Benefits Plan
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Critical Illness, Flexible Spending, Dependent Care, and Accident Insurance.
• Paid Time Off & Holidays
  • Because rest and balance make us stronger.
• 401(k) with Company Match
  • Invest in your future while you help us build ours.
• Tuition Reimbursement & Continuous Learning
  • Grow your career with educational support.
• Community Connection
  • Access The Source for resources, financial counseling, and family services — supporting the whole you.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Confidential support for personal, family, or work-related matters.

What to Expect in Our Hiring Process

We believe every application represents a person—not just a resume. Our process is designed to be thoughtful, transparent, and fair at every stage.

• Application Review Our team carefully reviews each application to identify alignment with the role and our organizational needs.
• Virtual or Phone Interview If there’s a potential fit, you may be invited to complete a brief virtual interview or connect directly with our team to discuss your experience, goals, and interests.
• On-Site Interview & Facility Tour Selected candidates will be invited to meet the team in person and experience our environment firsthand.
• Pre-Employment Screening As part of our standard hiring process, all candidates will be required to complete a drug screening and background check.
• Background Check Review Process As a second-chance employer, a prior conviction does not automatically disqualify you from employment. We are committed to fair evaluations that are specific to the individual. Background checks are reviewed in context—including factors such as time passed, relevance to the role, and demonstrated growth.
• Offer & Onboarding If there’s a strong mutual fit, we’ll guide you through the offer process and provide a supportive onboarding experience designed to set you up for success from day one.

Key Responsibilities

Environmental Compliance & Sustainability

• Ensure compliance with all applicable environmental regulations (EPA, EGLE, and local agencies)
• Manage waste water systems, including sampling, monitoring, and reporting
• Oversee air emissions compliance and permitting requirements
• Track greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy usage
• Maintain accurate environmental records and documentation (internally & with 3rd party sites)
• Support sustainability initiatives, reporting, and audits
• Lead sustainability team

Health & Safety Programs

• Develop, implement, and maintain OSHA-compliant safety programs
• Conduct safety inspections, audits, and risk assessments
• Lead incident investigations and implement corrective actions
• Track and report safety metrics (e.g., TRIR, near misses)
• Lead ergonomics initiatives and workstation assessments
• Ensure compliance with equipment safety, machine guarding, and LOTO procedures
• Monitor and enforce proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and chemical safety programs

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) & Documentation

• Develop, implement, and maintain EHS-related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Ensure SOPs are clear, accessible, and consistently followed across operations
• Review and update SOPs regularly to reflect regulatory changes, audit findings, and continuous improvement efforts
• Support document control processes, including versioning, distribution, and training alignment
• Maintain audit-ready documentation to support internal and external compliance requirements

Food Safety & Compliance Integration

• Partner with Quality and Operations to align EHS programs with food safety standards, including GMPs, HACCP, and allergen control
• Support compliance with FDA/FSMA and applicable regulatory requirements
• Participate in and support third-party audits (e.g., BRC, SQF), including preparation, documentation, and corrective actions

Training & Culture

• Deliver EHS training programs for employees at all levels
• Promote and reinforce a proactive safety culture across the organization
• Partner with leadership to drive accountability and safe work practices
• Leverage technology to deliver training in an efficient and effective manner

Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Develop and maintain emergency response plans (e.g., fire, chemical spill, injury response)
• Lead emergency drills and coordinate with local emergency services as needed
• Ensure proper incident documentation, reporting, and follow-up actions

Contractor & Visitor Safety

• Manage contractor safety programs, including onboarding, training, and compliance requirements
• Ensure contractors and visitors adhere to PPE, GMP, and facility-specific safety protocols

Continuous Improvement & Reporting

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to safety, environmental performance, and compliance
• Analyze EHS data and trends to identify risks and implement proactive solutions
• Maintain EHS dashboards and provide regular reporting to leadership
• Support cross-functional improvement efforts in partnership with Operations, Quality, and Maintenance

Education/ Certificates/ Licenses/ Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Safety, or related field required
• 2–5 years of EHS experience in a manufacturing environment (food industry preferred)
• Experience with wastewater systems and/or air permitting preferred
• Familiarity with ISO 14001:2015 standards preferred
• Experience managing OSHA 300 logs and 300A summaries
• Microsoft Office Suite proficiency preferred, including experience with applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience with RedZone production management software preferred, including the ability to utilize its tools for real-time communication, productivity tracking, and operational improvement. (preferred)
• Lead cross-functional teams
• Experience creating clear, engaging, and professional presentations to effectively communicate information and support training or business objectives.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of environmental regulations, (MI)OSHA standards, and food safety requirements
• Analytical thinking with strong problem-solving capabilities
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Ability to influence and engage employees at all levels of the organization

Equivalent combinations of education and experience that demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered on an individual basis.

Essential Physical Requirements

(This role requires the following physical activities)

Continuous (67–100% of the time):

• Standing
• Walking
• Reaching
• Grasping
• Talking
• Hearing
• Seeing (equipment, production areas, sanitation standards, documentation)
• Fine motor coordination (handling tools, sanitation equipment, documentation)
• Repetitive hand motions (cleaning, scrubbing, equipment handling)
• Bending at the waist
• Twisting upper body

Occasional (1–66% of the time):

• Lifting (up to 50 lbs)
• Carrying (equipment, chemicals, tools)
• Pushing (sanitation equipment, carts)
• Pulling (hoses, equipment)
• Stooping
• Crouching
• Kneeling
• Climbing (ladders or platforms, as applicable)

Working Environment
This position is located in a production/processing environment, which may involve:

• Cold temperatures ranging from 45°F with occasional exposure to freezer environments as low as -10°F
• Exposure to manufacturing equipment and machinery
• Adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and safety protocols
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals and sanitation agents, with responsibility for handling, use, and storage in strict accordance with established safety guidelines and protocols
• On-site, in-office role to support collaboration and leadership presence

DISCLAIMER: The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by the employee within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of any employee assigned to this job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Butterball Farms, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO/AA).