Plant EHS Coordinator (Milwaukee)

Title:

Plant EHS Coordinator

Location:

Plant

Department #:

981-5

Position Reports to:

EHS Manager

FLSA:

Salaried Exempt

Position Overview:

At Wikoff Color Corporation, we’re proud to be employee-owned, which means every team member has a stake in our success. We believe in building a workplace where people feel valued, empowered, and invested in the future.

The Plant EHS Coordinator supports the day-to-day execution of Wikoff’s environmental, health, and safety programs at the plant level, ensuring the site operates safely and in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and company policies. Working under the direction of the EHS Manager and closely with plant leadership and production employees, this role conducts inspections, delivers training, supports incident investigations, maintains EHS records, and helps ensure that the flammable, odorous, and otherwise hazardous materials used in ink manufacturing are stored, handled, and disposed of safely. The EHS Coordinator is a visible, hands-on presence on the plant floor and a key champion of the site’s safety culture.

Key Responsibilities:

Environmental Compliance

Support site compliance with environmental permits and regulations (e.g., EPA, RCRA, CAA, CWA, EPCRA, DOT) under the direction of the EHS Manager

Manage day-to-day hazardous and non-hazardous waste activities, including container labeling, accumulation area inspections, waste pickups, and manifest recordkeeping

Collect and track site data for environmental reports and permits (e.g., solvent and raw material usage, air emissions, waste volumes, chemical inventories)

Perform routine environmental inspections, including stormwater, secondary containment, and tank and drum storage areas

Support DOT hazardous materials shipping compliance at the site, including labeling, marking, placarding, and shipping paper checks

Respond to and document spills and releases, and keep spill kits and response equipment stocked and ready

Health & Safety

Conduct regular plant safety inspections and audits; document findings and track corrective actions to completion

Implement site-level OSHA programs, including Hazard Communication, PPE, lockout/tagout, confined space, powered industrial trucks, machine guarding, hearing conservation, and emergency action plans

Administer the site respiratory protection program, including fit testing and coordinating medical clearances

Participate in investigations of injuries, near-misses, and environmental incidents; help identify root causes and follow up on corrective actions

Complete initial injury reports, maintain the site OSHA 300/300A/301 logs, and support HR on workers’ compensation and return-to-work cases

Coordinate site safety committee meetings and employee safety engagement activities

Issue and audit permits for hot work, confined space entry, and other high-risk tasks, and orient contractors on site safety rules

Chemical & Process Safety

Monitor safe storage, handling, and transfer of flammable liquids (e.g., acetone and other solvents), including bonding and grounding checks, ignition source controls, and flammable storage areas

Monitor ammonia and other odorous or hazardous chemical storage and handling areas, and respond to and document odor concerns

Support housekeeping and dust control in pigment and powder handling areas

Conduct or coordinate industrial hygiene sampling (e.g., solvent vapors, ammonia, noise, dust) as directed by the EHS Manager

Review new raw materials, equipment, and process changes at the site for EHS concerns and escalate to the EHS Manager

Maintain the site SDS library and chemical inventory, and ensure all containers are properly labeled

Inspect and maintain emergency equipment, including eyewash stations, safety showers, fire extinguishers, and first aid supplies

Training & Recordkeeping

Deliver new-hire EHS orientation and recurring training (e.g., HazCom, PPE, forklift, lockout/tagout, spill response, emergency evacuation), and maintain training records

Coordinate emergency drills and serve as a site emergency response contact

Maintain site EHS documentation for internal audits and regulatory inspections, and support the EHS Manager during agency visits

Track and report site EHS metrics (e.g., incidents, near-misses, inspection findings, training completion) to plant leadership and the EHS Manager

Other duties assigned by management

Key Deliverables:

Site inspections and audits completed on schedule, with corrective actions tracked to closure

100% completion of required EHS training for site employees, with current training records

Accurate, on-time site data submitted for environmental reports and permits

Waste accumulation, labeling, and shipping managed with no regulatory violations

Year-over-year reduction in site recordable incidents with increased near-miss reporting

Emergency equipment inspections and emergency drills completed per schedule

Reporting Structure:

Reports To:                 EHS Manager

Educational Requirements:

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health & Safety, Environmental Science, or related field (preferred); an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered

OSHA 30-Hour General Industry (required, or obtained within 6 months of hire)

40-Hour HAZWOPER, RCRA hazardous waste, DOT hazardous materials, and First Aid/CPR/AED training (preferred)

Associate Safety Professional (ASP) or similar certification (a plus)

Required Experience:

2–4 years of EHS experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in chemical, ink, coatings, or other process manufacturing

Working knowledge of OSHA general industry standards and EPA hazardous waste requirements

Experience conducting safety inspections, delivering training, and maintaining compliance records

Familiarity with the safe handling and storage of flammable and hazardous chemicals

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; proficiency with Microsoft Office

Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and coach employees on the plant floor

Ability to work independently and escalate issues appropriately

Working Conditions:

Primarily manufacturing plant floor, with some office work

Minimal travel; occasional travel to other Wikoff sites or for training

Regular exposure to production areas with flammable solvents, strong-odor and hazardous chemicals, noise, and moving equipment

Must wear required PPE, including respiratory protection when needed (medical clearance and fit testing required)

Flexibility to support multiple shifts and occasional weekends; may respond to spills or emergencies outside normal working hours

Effort/Physical Demands:

Ability to stand and walk for long periods on the plant floor

Ability to climb stairs and ladders, bend, and reach to inspect equipment and storage areas

Lifting/pushing/pulling up to 50 lbs.

Health and Safety Responsibilities:

Must work in accordance with Health and Safety regulations, Company Rules, Plant Rules, policies and procedures.

Must use or wear equipment, protective devices, or certain clothing as required by the company.

Benefits:

Competitive pay and overtime opportunities

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

401(k)

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Career development and training opportunities

Clean, safe, and team-oriented work environment

This position contributes to a quality product by ensuring overall compliance to defined Product Specifications, the Quality Management System, and the Quality Policy.  Additionally, this position promotes a safe work environment by complying with the defined Safety rules, GMP and regulations at all times.