Food Safety Inspector Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

The Safety Coordinator supports the execution and continuous improvement of safety, health, and environmental programs within a fast-paced refrigerated food manufacturing facility. This role plays a critical part in ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements (OSHA, EPA, FDA/GMP), promoting a strong safety culture, and driving proactive risk prevention initiatives.

The Safety Coordinator works closely with production, QA, maintenance, warehouse, HR, and leadership teams to ensure safe work practices, adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and effective incident prevention. The ideal candidate is highly detail-oriented, proactive, hands-on, and able to influence employees at all levels of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• The following are essential job duties. Additional responsibilities may be assigned based on business needs.
• Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance is required to effectively perform the responsibilities of this role.

Safety Program Execution & Compliance

• Support implementation and maintenance of safety programs, policies, and procedures in alignment with OSHA, FDA, and GMP requirements
• Ensure compliance with facility safety standards, including PPE usage, machine guarding, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and hazard communication
• Conduct routine safety inspections, audits, and GMP walkthroughs; document findings and follow up on corrective actions
• Assist with environmental compliance, including waste handling, chemical storage, and regulatory reporting requirements
• Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and chemical inventory
• Monitor updates to applicable OSHA, EPA, FDA, and other regulatory requirements and communicate changes to the Safety Manager and affected departments.

Training & Employee Engagement

• Coordinate and conduct safety training sessions, including:
  • New hire safety orientation
  • GMP and food safety practices
  • Emergency response procedures, including: fire, tornado, evacuation and other emergency drills
  • Equipment safety and ergonomics
• Reinforce safe behaviors on the production floor through coaching and daily walk-throughs and employee interactions
• Partner with supervisors to ensure consistent enforcement of safety policies and procedures
• Serve as a resource for employees regarding safety concerns, hazard reporting, and safety-related questions; escalate issues as appropriate
• Assist with maintaining emergency response plans, evacuation maps, emergency contact information, and related documentation

Incident Management & Prevention

• Assist in the investigation of workplace incidents, near misses, and injuries
• Collect data, interview employees, and support root cause analysis
• Track incident metrics, trends, and KPIs; provide insights and recommendations
• Ensure timely completion and documentation of incident reports and corrective actions
• Support workers’ compensation case management and return-to-work processes
• Enter, review, update, and maintain incident, injury, near miss, and corrective action records within the safety management system; ensure data accuracy, completeness, timely follow-up, and compliance with company and regulatory reporting requirements.

GMP & Food Manufacturing Safety

• Ensure safety practices align with food safety and GMP requirements, including:
  • Proper hygiene and sanitation practices
  • Safe material handling in refrigerated environments
  • Prevention of contamination risks related to unsafe behaviors
• Partner with QA to maintain compliance during audits (internal, customer, regulatory)
• Support foreign material prevention initiatives and safe handling procedures
• Support contractor and visitor safety compliance by ensuring adherence to facility safety requirements, GMP standards, PPE requirements, and site-specific safety procedures

Operational Support & Risk Reduction

• Support development and implementation of ergonomic programs to reduce repetitive motion injuries
• Assist with job hazard analyses (JHAs) and risk assessments for operations tasks
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to safety and operational efficiency
• Monitor high-risk areas (cold storage, wet environments, machinery) for hazards
• Conduct routine safety observations in refrigerated and freezer environments to promote proper PPE usage, ergonomic practices, slip prevention, and safe material handling

Documentation, Reporting & Audits

• Maintain accurate safety records, logs, and documentation
• Track and report key safety metrics (TRIR, DART, near misses, etc.)
• Assist with internal and external safety audits and inspections
• Ensure all required permits and documentation are properly maintained and accessible
• Maintain records and inspections for first aid supplies, AED equipment, emergency response equipment, and other safety-related resources

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Production, Maintenance, QA, and HR to ensure alignment on safety initiatives
• Support leadership in driving accountability for safety performance
• Coordinate and participate in safety committee meetings and initiatives, including documenting meeting minutes, tracking action items, and following up on corrective actions.
• Attend and participate in meetings as needed
• Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• 2–4 years of experience in a safety role within manufacturing (food manufacturing preferred)
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and workplace safety practices
• Experience conducting safety inspections, audits, and training
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in a refrigerated manufacturing environment
• Ability and willingness to work flexible schedules as needed to support operational needs

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing environments with GMPs and FDA regulations
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health & Safety or related field preferred
• Experience with safety management systems and incident tracking
• OSHA 30 certification preferred
• First Aid/CPR/AED certification preferred

Core Competencies

• Safety Mindset & Risk Awareness
• Attention to Detail
• Accountability & Follow-Through
• Communication & Influence
• Problem-Solving & Root Cause Analysis
• Collaboration & Teamwork

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods on the production floor and warehouse
• Ability to work in cold/refrigerated environments
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
• Frequent interaction in warehouse and production areas

Additional Information

• This is a hands-on role requiring daily presence on the production floor and in warehouse  
• Responsibilities may evolve based on business needs and facility growth

Why Join Us?

• Play a key role in maintaining a safe, compliant, and high-performing food manufacturing environment in our new, next-generation facility 
• Work to influence culture and operational excellence
• Be part of a team focused on continuous improvement, safety, and quality
• Help deliver high-quality, safe, and delicious food products to consumers 
• Contribute to the future of food manufacturing through safety, automation and sustainability
• Comprehensive Benefits Package including: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Life and AD&D insurance, Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance, 401(k) matching, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays

Harvest Food Group is committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, reproductive health decisions, parental status, family responsibilities, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.