Occupational Safety Specialist

Provide transformative leadership in safety, health, and emergency response at the Leaf River Cellulose manufacturing facility. Drive a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and accountability, ensuring the safety and well-being of all employees and the protection of company assets.

Leaf River Cellulose, LLC, is a world-class manufacturing facility where team members are using innovative technologies to produce specialty and market fluff pulp for a variety high-end uses across the globe. For over 40 years, the Leaf River team has been on a journey to make the best products possible for customers while doing it in new and innovative ways. Creating value for our customers and for society is the ultimate goal for our business, and one of our comparative advantages in our ability to do so is our employees. With a workforce of approximately 320, Leaf River is a non-union facility located in the heart of South Mississippi, just 20 miles from Hattiesburg. As a key mill in the GP Cellulose business, Leaf River is a showcase of safety, operational and environmental excellence. GP Cellulose is also committed to environmental sustainability and stewardship through every stage of our business, using environmentally conscious production practices to maximize the use of renewable raw materials throughout our process. Our culture is defined by the Principle-Based Management philosophy which guides everyday decision making and provides employees with opportunities to contribute and personally benefit from the value they create. Salary and benefits commensurate with experience. To learn more, visit www.gppackaging.com.

• Partner with department leadership to influence all team members to embrace and achieve safety strategies aligned with Koch's Safety Vision.
• Oversee and lead the mill's safety processes, including Process Safety, Occupational Safety and Health, Emergency Response, and Save My Life (SML) permitting.
• Facilitate, identify, and drive key safety improvement opportunities; lead and mentor others on Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) methodology.
• Lead the implementation, training, and continuous improvement of Lock Tag Verify permitting processes and other core safety programs (e.g., Confined Space, Emergency Preparedness, Fall Protection, Mobile Equipment, PPE).
• Apply Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) concepts to foster a learning-first environment and lead/facilitate incident investigations focused on operational learning and effective recommendations.
• Develop and deliver innovative training and development programs to grow safety, health, and emergency response capabilities.
• Communicate and align with business unit safety and health personnel on vision, strategy, and program implementation.
• Demonstrate stewardship by prioritizing work, eliminating waste, and managing resources effectively.
• Model and reinforce behaviors consistent with company values, holding self and others accountable for results and conduct.
• Deliver measurable improvements in safety performance, compliance, emergency readiness, and fire prevention.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and mutual support.
• Demonstrate proactive leadership, clear communication, and practical problem-solving.
• Mentor and develop team members, supporting self-actualization and confidence-building.
• Remain adaptable, seeking opportunities for personal and team growth.

• Bachelor's Degree in Safety & Health, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, or experience in a safety leadership role in an industrial/manufacturing facility
• Experience with EHS Management Systems and OSHA 119/OSHA 1910
• LOG OUT/TAG OUT (LOTTO) experience
• Knowledge of NFPA regulations
• Experience in compliance, training, emergency response, and permitting

• Knowledge of HOP concepts and process safety management; professional certifications (EMT, HAZWOPER, CSP/ASP); experience establishing sustainable systems for compliance and continuous improvement

As a Koch company and a leading manufacturer of bath tissue, paper towels, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, building products and much more, Georgia-Pacific works to meet evolving needs of customers worldwide with quality products. In addition to the products we make, we operate one of the largest recycling businesses. Our more than 30,000 employees in over 150 locations are empowered to innovate every day - to make everyday products even better.