Safety Specialist

The Safety Specialist is responsible for supporting the Safety management program. This role has a strong focus on safety, incident investigations, auditing, training, recordkeeping, sustainability, ethics compliance, employee relations, and program implementation for location.
Reporting to the Site Health and Safety and Security Manager, the Health and Safety Specialist will foster a positive safety culture by developing, implementing and driving compliance to safety standards and maintaining a safe work environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct hazard assessments and collaborate with Leadership team to develop and implement risk mitigation strategies for safe operations.
- Identify safety-related issues and recommend effective solutions, including improvement opportunities and innovative prevention methods.
- Support the management and tracking of safety performance indicators (KPIs) for the Distribution Center using safety management system.
- Lead thorough investigations of workplace incidents. Document findings and work closely with leadership to identify root causes and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Ensure all safety-related incidents are appropriately reviewed and followed up by the leadership team, with timely resolution of corrective actions and outstanding opportunities.
- Manage the Return-to-Work (RTW) and claims processes in collaboration with Human Resources and relevant stakeholders.
- Liaise with Corporate Health and Safety to maintain compliance with internal standards and support the achievement of company-wide safety goals, including the implementation of best practices.
- Coordinate with third-party vendors to arrange and facilitate safety inspections, audits, and surveys, ensuring all findings are addressed promptly.
- Deliver and facilitate engaging and effective safety training sessions, including new hire orientation. Ensure training is clear, concise, and aligned with regulatory and internal requirements.
- Maintain accurate and organized records of safety training, inspections, certifications, and incident reports to support internal and external audits.
- Manage and support the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC), ensuring compliance with all administrative and regulatory obligations.
- Conduct safety audits and ensure timely follow-up on all related action items by engaging with responsible parties and tracking completion.
- Collaborate with management to foster a proactive safety culture, analyze trends, and propose initiatives to enhance workplace health and safety.
- Oversee the use, inventory, maintenance, and replacement of personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure ongoing compliance and employee protection.

Skills for Success
- College diploma, university degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Science, or a related field is preferred.
- Minimum of three years’ experience in occupational health and safety.
- Strong asset: Safety certification training (e.g., incident investigation, JHSC, WHMIS 2015, first aid/CPR).
- Strong leadership skills to influence and motivate a positive safety culture.
- Attention to detail, acute observation, and analytical skills are essential.
- Communication skills: communicate clearly, timely, and consistently.
- Ability to manage others through influence, professionally and respectfully.
- Must work with discretion, and professionalism, and maintain confidentiality at all times.
- Strong knowledge of word processing, reporting, and presenting programs is strongly desired.
- Must maintain a calm demeanor.
- Must not make assumptions.
- Investigate claims and data prior to providing outcomes.
- Ability to walk long distances.

**Hiring Range**: $21.15 CAD - $26.44 CAD annually
**Incentive Potential**: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.
P lease note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.
Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.