New

HES Specialist Job

Arkema Inc

United States, Illinois, Ringwood

Mar 13, 2026

HES Specialist - Ringwood, IL (Expected Pay range $72,500 - $97,000, with 4% annual bonus potential)

The HES Specialist works closely with Operations to ensure the site is compliant with local, state, and federal Environmental, Health, and Safety Regulations, as well as PSM. This is a unique position and will likely require development while in the position. Candidates with experience and/or education in skills related to Environmental or safety management reporting or control, chemical plant operations, adhesives or plastics manufacturing, emergency response, training, records management, waste, or similar, are encouraged to apply.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Employee Engagement

Develop, Maintain, and implement programs to generate awareness, promote a safety culture, and reduce overall environmental and safety risk of the facilities.
Spend significant time on production floor to find and address any safety concerns.
Ensure employees understand priority on safety and solicit ideas.
Maintain Safety committee participation and discussions, reporting improvements and progress toward goals to all employees.

Audit/Inspections/Compliance

Ensure the facilities are in compliance with all Federal, State, and Local environmental and safety regulations.
Assist in all government inspections, and third party audits, etc. and lead when needed. Document findings and develop plans to address concerns.
EX: SPCC, SWPP, IH monitoring, Hazardous Waste Management, Near-Miss tracking, Hazard Communication, Incident Investigation, Site Security and MOC.
Conduct internal safety audits and inspections in accordance with all government and company regulations to identify hazards and potential violations.
Prepare and submit health, safety and environmental compliance documents to the relevant organizations.
Audit documentation as needed and report trends to the site and intervene when unsafe/undesirable trends are identified.
Develop and implement inspection policies and procedures, and a schedule of routine inspections.
Conduct monitoring of operational processes and employee activities (IH, Ergo, etc.).

Training

Manage site training matrix and ensure all employees receive required training, including respirator physicals, fit testing, DOT, LOTO, Working at heights, Safe Work Permitting, etc.

General

Conduct Process Hazard Analysis and Root Cause Analysis.
Manage site hazardous waste streams including disposals.
Develop health and safety procedures for all areas of the site.
Ensure that material safety data sheets are loaded in current database and are always available.
Provide solutions and intervention strategies for hygiene, health, and safety hazards (i.e Ergonomics).
Assist in new project development ensuring that all aspects of environmental, health, and safety have been addressed or mitigated prior to implementation.
Contractor Selection administrator for existing program to approve contractors.
Manage permits for high hazard work including but not limited to LOTO, Hot Work, Confined Space, etc.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Provide HES Guidance to Elk Grove Village plant and physically support on occasion.

IN ORDER TO BE QUALIFIED FOR THIS ROLE, YOU MUST POSSESS THE FOLLOWING:

Must be authorized to work in the US.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Must be willing to accept the role of incident commander during an emergency.
Must be willing to work outside at times collecting environmental data and samples.
Must be able to wear and properly utilize appropriate personal protective equipment if required to work or visit within the manufacturing process area.
The ability to identify critical operational issues and formulate action plans with all levels of plant personnel is required. In addition, the ability to develop and foster positive work environment within work groups and ability to resolve conflicts through problem resolution skills is essential.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.
Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at a time.
Willing to travel to Elk Grove Village plant occasionally.

THE FOLLOWING SKILL SETS ARE PREFERRED BY THE BUSINESS UNIT:

Degree or training in Environmental, Safety, Chemistry, Chemical engineering, or similar.
Minimum 5 years chemical plant manufacturing experience.
Extensive knowledge of environmental and safety regulations and policies.
Proficient in technology and equipment used in environmental inspections.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
History of strong attendance and performance.
Ability to coach and be coached.
Ability to be innovative, flexible, self-starting, honest and open, but also be trusted with confidential information.
Experience with computers.
Ability to work as a member of an integrated team.

THE FOLLOWING SOFT SKILL SETS ARE REQUIRED:

Communication: The ability to get to know and build a relationship with your audience.
Teamwork: Being able to work with the operators and utilize their ideas to build ownership.
Problem-solving: Spending time on the floor is a must to understand how a Near-Miss can occur.
Time management: Always making time to be on the floor. This gives opportunities to build relationships with the employees.
Critical thinking: Listening to all sides of a situation and knowing the facility dynamics to make an informed decision.
Stress management: Again, understanding your audience. By building relationships, you might be able to know when someone is having a bad day (feeling stressed) EX: Holiday season, life change in the family, death, working extended OT. Must react in the best interest of any employee or contractor.
Adaptability: H&S priorities change rapidly. Flexibility is required.
Conflict management: How do you handle conflict? Can you work together to meet the companies/legal requirements and still explain in a way that you can get plant buy-in.
Leadership: You must lead from the front, and be able to obtain buy in. Meaning you must be on the floor building relationships to be effective.
Openness to criticism: During the many H&S expectations someone somewhere is not going to like the new policy or procedure. Being open to criticism and being able to talk through with the individual is a key skill in building trust.

Check out Arkema's exceptional benefit details at benefits.arkema.com