Security and Life Safety Specialist

Pay Range: $63,000/yr. – $80,000/yr. based on experience and qualifications

The Security and Life Safety Specialist supports physical security, life safety, emergency preparedness, and regulatory readiness across manufacturing and cold storage facilities. This role helps protect employees, visitors, contractors, assets, and operations by maintaining effective security practices, life safety controls, emergency response plans, and compliance documentation. The candidate has practical knowledge of security systems, life safety requirements, and facility risk controls, with the ability to work cross-functionally with Operations, EHSS, Facilities & Maintenance, Human Resources, OT/IT, vendors, and local emergency responders.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Physical Security

• Support daily security operations across manufacturing plants, warehouses, and cold storage facilities.

• Administer access control, badge processes, visitor management, camera review coordination, incident documentation, and investigation support in accordance with company policy.

• Conduct routine security inspections, vulnerability assessments, and facility checks to identify risks and recommend corrective actions.

• Investigate and document security incidents, theft, vandalism, workplace violence concerns, and policy violations.

• Assist with contractors, vendors, executives, visitors, and special event security as required.

• Monitor security guard service performance, communicate post orders and procedural updates, and support escalation protocols.

• Certification or willingness to become certified as a CPR/First Aid/AED instructor for the purpose of training staff, potentially, in multiple locations.

Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness

• Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of emergency response, evacuation, fire watch, and business continuity plans.

• Coordinate and document emergency drills, including fire evacuation, severe weather, hazardous material, and active threat exercises.

• Ensure emergency equipment, evacuation routes, fire protection systems, and other life safety systems are inspected, maintained, and documented.

• Support emergency response activities and coordinate with local fire departments, law enforcement, EMS, and emergency management agencies.

• Participate in post-incident reviews and help track corrective actions through closure.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Support compliance with applicable OSHA, NFPA, fire code, insurance, food safety, SQF, GMP, SOP, and corporate security requirements.

• Maintain audit-ready records for inspections, permits, impairments, incidents, drills, corrective actions, vendor work, and regulatory or insurance reviews.

• Participate in internal audits, regulatory inspections, insurance reviews, customer audits, and SQF or food safety-related reviews.

• Serve as a member of the Physical Security Committee and contribute to site security risk assessments, program reviews, and improvement initiatives.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Security Systems Administration

• Support administration, testing, maintenance, and vendor coordination for access control, CCTV/video management, intrusion detection, alarm monitoring, and visitor management systems.

• Coordinate repairs, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, upgrades, and corrective action closure with vendors, Facilities, EHSS, and IT/OT partners.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 3 years of experience in physical security, life safety, fire protection, facilities safety, emergency response, or a related operational compliance role; manufacturing, food manufacturing, cold storage, or regulated facility experience preferred. 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional training in Safety Management, Fire Science, Criminal Justice, Security Management, Facilities Management, Engineering Technology, or a related field preferred.

• Working knowledge of fire and life safety systems, emergency preparedness, access control, video surveillance, alarm monitoring, incident documentation, and vendor coordination.

• Familiarity with applicable OSHA, NFPA, local fire code, emergency action planning, GMP, SOP, SQF, and food safety requirements preferred. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 / Office and ability to use security, work order, inspection, and documentation systems.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, attention to detail, and ability to coordinate across departments, vendors, and emergency response partners.

• Exhibit professionalism and decisiveness in emergent situations; military, EMS, law enforcement, or first responder experience preferred.

• Able to obtain certifications required to effectively complete essential job duties.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those required to perform this job's essential functions. 

• The role requires good vision, manual dexterity, and the ability to sit or stand for prolonged periods.

• Preparedness to work in varied environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures and weather conditions, while adhering to safety regulations.

• Use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is mandatory in designated areas of the facility.