EHS Specialist

Kemin is seeking an Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist to join our team in Des Moines, Iowa. In this role, you will help foster a safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible workplace by delivering training programs, supporting safety and environmental initiatives, and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, hands-on professional who enjoys partnering with operations teams, including production, maintenance, warehouse, and engineering. This position will play a key role in conducting audits, inspections, and risk assessments to promote continuous improvement, maintain compliance, and minimize workplace risk.

Join the Kemin Team and Transform Lives!

We are a privately held, family-owned-and-operated global biotechnology company driven by curiosity and committed to transforming the quality of life for people, pets, and the planet.

We create solutions that strengthen health and wellbeing, provide nutrition and immune support for pets and production animals, safeguard the planet’s natural resources, and protect the global food supply chain for generations to come.

We supply over 500 specialty ingredients for various industries, including human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textiles, biofuels, and animal vaccines.

We employ 3,500 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, and the United States.

As a valued member of our team, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial, physical, and professional well-being:

• Competitive Financial Package: Enjoy a rewarding salary, uncapped bonus opportunities, a 401k match program, and generous paid vacation and holidays.
• Health and Wellness Support: Stay fit and healthy with our fitness reimbursement for the whole family, access to an on-site fitness center, a restaurant offering seasonal fresh food options, and free fresh fruit in break areas.
• Career Development and Advancement: Unlock your potential with opportunities for growth and development throughout your entire career.
• Continued Learning Opportunities: Grow your skills with our in-house learning platforms, offering thousands of training resources both live and online, and take advantage of tuition reimbursement for external post-secondary pursuits.
• Service Opportunities: Make a positive impact with paid time off for service, partnerships with The World Food Programme and Habitat for Humanity, and local community initiatives.

• Develop and present general employee safety and environmental training and train-the-trainer sessions. 
• Participate in incident investigations with the support of others to determine probably root causes and develop corrective action plans.
• Conduct inspections and audits, aid in developing corrective action (safety and environmental) and advise responsible management of conditions. 
• Provide data collection and reporting, analyze accident trends and participate in the development of recommendations to improve results.
• Maintain records required to support safety requirements and training presentations. 
• Assist with development, implementation and maintenance of EHS system policies, programs, and procedures in conjunction with EHS Manager.
• Take an active role in 5S and continuous improvement activities. 
• Organize and lead the Safety Stand Down event, with the support of management. 
• Help ensure all applicable internal and external reporting requirements are performed accurately and in a timely manner.

• Education and Experience:
  • Bachelors Degree in Occupational Safety & Health or other science related discipline such as Chemistry or Engineering highly preferred. 
• OSHA 30 certification, First Aid/CPR certified, EMT-B certification, Firefighter 1 & 2 certification.
• Ability to successfully apply safety and/or environmental skills to help solve production issues, recommend process improvements and participate in job hazard analyses and worker safety program development.
• Familiarity with safety and environmental standards and regulations such as 29 and 40 CFR or the ability to learn these provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations along with state safety and environmental regulations.
• Willing to learn or some experience in recognizing, evaluating, and recommending controls for workplace hazards as well as work-related injury and illness.
• Team player able to interact with all levels of the organization to reduce incidents and improve compliance.
• Aptitude for dealing with challenging problems, developing strategies, prioritizing multiple tasks, and supporting the implementation of safety and environmental management programs.
• Have a strong drive to be present on the production floor daily and build relationships with front line team members.
• Ability to demonstrate creative ability in solving technical issues and working with others.
• Excellent oral, written and presentation skills.
• Ability to work in a fast paced and changing environment.
• Must have or can obtain certifications in order to support environmental compliance including air, wastewater, solid waste and hazardous waste (e.g. RCRA, SARA, CERCLA, OSHA, and DOT).
• Ability to proficiently use computer with Microsoft Office applications and database management systems.
• Some skill or the ability to learn how to be a first responder in the event of illness or injury.
• Some skill or the ability to learn how to support the security function employed by Kemin to ensure a safe campus and to enable Kemin’s Food Defense Plan.
• Hazardous waste management, emergency response, spill control, and storm water is preferred.
• Travel 15% domestically. 

We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed/religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status (where applicable), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy/childbirth/breastfeeding or related conditions, age (40+), disability (including the use of a service animal), genetic information, marital status, familial or caregiver status, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, reproductive health decision‑making, and any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also prohibit retaliation for raising concerns or participating in an EEO process. Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview can email [email protected].

A post-offer background check and drug screen is required.  Additional pre-employment requirements may be necessary based on position.

Kemin is a drug-free and tobacco-free campus. 

#LI-MN1