Overview
Smurfit Westrock, a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging, operates in 40 countries with over 500 packaging converting plants and 62 paper mills. We offer an unrivalled portfolio of innovative packaging solutions, ranging from corrugated and consumer packaging to Bag-in-Box® packaging and point-of-sale displays.
As a trusted partner to businesses around the world, Smurfit Westrock is committed to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges.
We are seeking a Environmental, Health & Safety Specialist to join our team and play a pivotal role in the successful start-up of our greenfield Bag-in-Box manufacturing facility in Anderson, SC.
This is a unique opportunity for an H&S professional who thrives in start-up environments, enjoys being hands-on on the shop floor, and is passionate about building a strong safety culture from day one, while ensuring full compliance with OSHA regulations and Group H&S standards.
You will act as the key H&S partner for Operations, Engineering, HR, and contractors, supporting the transition from construction and commissioning to safe and sustainable operations.
If you are ready to shape the safety culture of a new plant from the ground up, apply now!
The impact you will make
Lead the development and deployment of a strong Health & Safety culture aligned with Group values and “Target Zero” mindset from the earliest stages of the plant start-up.Promote visible safety leadership through regular shop-floor presence, safety conversations, and engagement with teams at all levels.Support the greenfield project phase, ensuring effective H&S management during construction, installation, commissioning, and ramp-up activities.Ensure full compliance with OSHA, federal, state, and local H&S regulations, as well as Smurfit Westrock Group H&S policies and standards.Act as the primary H&S point of contact for the Anderson plant, partnering closely with Operations, Engineering, HR, and external contractors.Develop, implement, and maintain H&S programs, procedures, risk assessments, SOPs, and safe work instructions relevant to polymer converting and Bag-in-Box operations.Lead machine safety, LOTO, energy isolation, contractor safety, working at height, chemicals management, and ergonomics programs.Conduct risk assessments, hazard identification, and job safety analyses across all areas of the plant.Coordinate and deliver H&S training and awareness programs for employees, contractors, and employees.Support incident reporting, investigation, root cause analysis, and corrective actions, driving learning and continuous improvement.Prepare for and support OSHA inspections, internal audits, and Group H&S audits, ensuring readiness and follow-up on actions.Track, analyze, and report H&S KPIs (e.g. TRIR, severity, near misses, training completion) and actively drive improvement initiatives.Support and manage environmental compliance activities, including waste management, emissions, permits, chemical storage, and environmental reporting, in line with EPA requirements and Group environmental standards.Leverage expertise and tools from the Divisional and Group H&S teams to ensure alignment and best practice sharing.
The ideal candidate will have
Proven experience in Health & Safety / EHS within a manufacturing and/or industrial environment; experience in a start-up or greenfield project is a strong advantage. Practical, proactive, and solutions-oriented mindset, with a strong shop-floor presence.Strong working knowledge of OSHA regulations and US H&S compliance requirements.Hands-on experience with machine safety, LOTO, risk assessments, contractor safety, and industrial operations.Ability to build structure, processes, and culture from the ground up in a fast-changing environment.Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, challenge, and coach leaders and operators at all levels.Experience working in a matrix organization with functional reporting lines is a plus.H&S certifications (e.g. OSHA, CSP, ASP, NEBOSH, or equivalent) are a plus. Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.