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Team Leader, Health and Safety

Company Overview

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM), headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and Bridgestone Europe, Middle East and Africa (BSEMEA), headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, operate collectively as a “Bridgestone West” strategic region. This region services the strategic business needs of teams across the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa. BSAM and BSEMEA are subsidiaries of Bridgestone Corporation, globally headquartered in Japan. Bridgestone and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand products and solutions to address the needs of a broad range of customers and industries.

Job Category

Legal, Compliance & Audit

Position Summary

We are searching for a Team Leader, Health & Safety for our Abilene, TX plant.

The Team Leader, Health and Safety is responsible for overseeing employee and labor health and safety initiatives. In this role you will focus on ensuring a safe working environment by developing and implementing safety policies, identifying, and mitigating hazardous conditions within the workplace. Identifying potential hazards, unsafe equipment, work practices, and working conditions.
As the Team Leader, you will be expected to investigate accidents and liaise with engineers, management, and health and safety regulatory authorities to identify causes of accidents and prevent their recurrence. The selected candidate will provide advice and training on safety protocols and conduct audits to ensure compliance with organization and government standards related to employee health and safety. In addition, you will maintain and analyze records of workplace injuries, illness, and absences to identify areas of concern and provide information required by regulatory agencies.

Responsibilities

  • Manage workers’ compensation cases and analyze data into safety recommendations

  • Prepare various reports using Covel CMS, to include charts and graphs, to provide statistical and fiscal data on worker’s compensation injuries

  • Maintain all safety recordkeeping information, to include OSHA logs, certifications, and reports to outside agencies

  • Ensure incident and accident information in Intelex Database is used in trend analysis.

  • Responsible for submitting monthly reports to appropriate personnel

  • Prepare plant monthly/quarterly safety reports and metrics to HQ

  • Conduct all IH testing; order, control, and calibrate all media samples, prepare and send reports to lab/corp. annually

  • Coordinate, schedule, and conduct all employee safety training efforts and maintain associated safety training records

  • Coordinate monthly plant safety committee meetings

  • Administer local SharePoint safety site and maintain a safety itemized implementation plan (IIP)

  • Implement Standard Driven Process (SDP) improvements in safety

  • Conduct Standard Based Improvements (SBI) in the area of safety

  • Manage the job safety hazard analysis program (JHA’s)

  • Conduct safety audits throughout the plant and develop action plans to correct any gaps

  • Attend and assist in documentation of all RRCA investigations

  • Establish a process to verify that corrective actions, as a result of RRCA investigations, are documented and implemented

  • Coordinates all evacuations, shutdown, and means of egress procedures

  • Manage the NFPA 25 fire protection system checklist in collaboration with Maintenance

  • Establish fire prevention system when plant system is down

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Training:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience; or

  • Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in health and safety or a related field.

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

  • Capable of prioritizing, organizing, and setting goals

  • Technical and business understanding of Bandag retread manufacturing processes

  • Working knowledge of federal and state safety regulations.

  • Familiarity with the ISO 14001 standard is a plus

  • Proficient in Microsoft applications, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.

Interpersonal and Management Skills:

  • Self-directed and has time management skills

  • Possess excellent communication skills. Ability to communicate well with people at all levels of the organization

  • Presentation skills are required; knowledge sharing is an important part of this role.

  • Able to function well as a leader or member of a project team.

  • Ability to translate regulatory requirements into required actions at the plant level

  • Good organizational skills to ensure timely submission of reports and other data to BCSG HQ and Bridgestone Americas

  • Ability to train plant and/or other BCSG personnel; good documentation skills required

Business Skills and Accountabilities

  • Implement programs as required by Division Safety Manager.

  • Lead job hazard analysis as required by plant staff.

  • Enter required performance indicator data into web-based BSAM databases as required

  • Assess property conservation status of the facility on a regular basis in collaboration with Maintenance staff using NFPA 25/70E and other inspection resources provided by Bridgestone Americas Risk Management.

  • Maintain contact and establish a rapport with applicable state agency personnel regarding compliance status of the facility.

  • Continue professional development through training courses and seminars; develop cross-functional capability in the safety and risk management areas.

Working Conditions

Medium physical effort is required to maneuver throughout departments, which include climbing stairs; in addition, a considerable amount of standing is necessary. You will be exposed to loud noises, chemicals, and moving machinery when on production floor. May sit at a computer for a prolonged period.

-Depending on priorities and schedules, the incumbent may be required to work extended hours

At Bridgestone, you are Free to Be

We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they bring their whole self to work. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. We are building a team as diverse as the world we serve. So, show us what you are made of, because who you are is what we need.

What we offer

At Bridgestone, what really matters is to foster co-creation opportunities and empowering you to be creative and curious to make mobility safer, more efficient, and more sustainable for future generations. Whatever role you fill, when you represent Bridgestone, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality”, for that, we offer you more than just a competitive compensation; we will provide you:

  • A supportive and engaging onboarding experience to ensure a smooth transition into our team.
  • The opportunity to develop and grow, through training and regular mentorship.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
  • A truly global, dynamic and challenging work environment.
  • Agility and work/life effectiveness and your long-term well-being.
  • A diverse and inclusive team.

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. It is our policy to consider for employment all individuals regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Employment Eligibility

If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. It is our policy to consider for employment all individuals regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Employment Eligibility

If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.

Our Benefits

Bridgestone Americas believes that taking care of you means more than just a prescription or dental plan. Our benefit plans are designed to meet our teammates' emotional, financial and physical needs, helping them thrive at work.

Bridgestone Application & Interview FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about our application and interview process to help you prepare.

Before you apply for one of the available opportunities at Bridgestone, review each of the skills needed for the role that interests you and be prepared to show how you meet the qualifications.

Whether on a job application or your resume, it is essential to customize your information to highlight the most relevant connections to the job you want.

Once you have provided your information to Bridgestone, you will receive a request for an interview if you are being considered.

In the Bridgestone hiring process, depending on the role you are being considered for, you may have a one-on-one interview or a panel interview, and both can happen in person or via video call. If you are applying for a manufacturing or retail role, you will probably interview in person or at the location where you plan to work. All these factors can change how you might prepare for and conduct an interview, so we have created a guide that covers virtual or video interview tips and in-person interview tips. We have also included other common information you should consider.

Prepare Your “Elevator Speech”
In most interviews, you will get the prompt to “tell us about yourself” or something of that nature. It’s best to prepare a short but compelling description of yourself. Consider including:
Brief summary of your career, potentially highlighting your most relevant job.
Why are you looking to start a career at Bridgestone, or are you looking to change careers/jobs?
What was interesting about this particular role or working at Bridgestone?

Be Ready to Answer Questions
During an interview, you will be asked questions about previous experience to learn more about you. Whether you are asked about strengths or weaknesses or about a particular work situation that you might have considered a challenge or a win, it helps if you structure your answers with the STAR Method.
Situation: Describe the challenge you faced, win you had, or relevant situation
Task: Explain the role you played
Action: What were the detailed steps you took or how you accomplished the task
Result: Explain the outcome
Make sure that it is relevant to the role you are seeking. This method also helps you demonstrate how you accomplished something or overcame a challenge independently or while working well with a team.

Be Ready to Ask Questions
It is also important to ask questions to help you make an informed decision about the role if an offer is extended to you. Remember that you are interviewing Bridgestone as much as we are interviewing you, so asking interview questions is critical.
Some questions you can ask:
What would my day-to-day role look like?
Describe the team I would be working with.
What is your favorite thing about working at Bridgestone?
You mentioned (insert topic here). Tell me more about that.

By asking open-ended questions that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no,” you can learn more about the role and the people you would be working with. And by circling back on information shared during the interview, you show that you are actively listening and interested.

Plan Your Route
If you are interviewing in person, map out the route you will take before the day of your interview to make sure you allow enough time for travel. Be mindful of traffic patterns and look for any construction in the area. Aim to be about 15 minutes early for your interview so you can find a place to park and take some time to prepare mentally.
If you have an unexpected schedule conflict, notify your recruiter via phone/email/text so they can work to reschedule your time.

Dress to Impress
Dress appropriately for the role you want. Different work environments may be more casual, but you always want to look your best for an interview. Consider this for a video interview as well. Most of us have better posture and body language when we look and feel our best. While no one may know you are wearing pajamas, your casual demeanor may not make a great first impression. Make sure you are free of as many distractions as possible. With many of us having to work from home while taking care of our families, we understand that quiet space can be challenging to find for you as well as for the interviewers. While we encourage you to find an area where you can focus and not be interrupted, we understand that life happens and might just happen during your interview, so don’t stress too much about it.

What to Bring
Even if you have provided a resume, always bring one additional copy for each person interviewing you. And for any interview, it’s always good to bring a pen and paper if you want to take notes. Stay engaged in the conversation; no one wants to see the top of your head while you write notes for the entire interview.

There may be a chance one or more of your interviews will be conducted virtually. Here are our tips to prepare;

Check Your Tech
Confirm what platform you will use and make sure that you have it properly installed and launched on your system.
If you use a device like a tablet or a laptop, ensure it is fully charged. Try not to use a phone if possible.
Confirm that your webcam and microphone are allowed and work correctly in your chosen browser.
Test your internet connection to ensure it is strong and working.
If using headphones, make sure they are connected and selected prior.
At the beginning of the interview, verify that the interviewer can hear and see you.
Close other programs on your computer. Getting notifications during your interview is distracting and unprofessional. Before your interview, ensure all other computer windows are closed, and notifications are silenced or turned off.
Switch your other devices onto silent mode; however, have your phone handy if your interviewer is having technical difficulties or trying to reach out via phone or email.
If you need any accessibility accommodations or are concerned about the required virtual platform not being fully accessible for you, please let the recruiter at Bridgestone know. We will reach out to discuss how to best support you.

Prepare Your Space
Conduct your interview in a quiet, well-lit environment, without a backlight or window that may put you in a shadow.
Find a place with a simple backdrop or blank wall to eliminate distractions and put the focus on you.
Avoid taking an interview from your vehicle. If it is the only quiet place you can find, DO NOT attempt to interview while driving or in a moving vehicle; our recruiters will end the call. After all, at Bridgestone, we make safety a business value.

Smile for the Camera
Look at the camera. Looking directly at the video camera (not the screen) is the only way to maintain direct eye contact with your interviewer.
Try to focus on sitting up straight and making eye contact. At the beginning of the interview, verify that the interviewer can hear and see you.
Be mindful of your body language. Not all physical cues translate from in-person interviews to video interviews. Be sure to have good posture and stay engaged.
Silence any other technology, i.e. smart watches; you don’t want to be distracted or appear disinterested during your interview."

When the interview ends, whether virtual or in person, you can ask what to expect as the next step in the process. The person conducting the interview can let you know if there are additional interviews to expect or if you will hear from HR with a decision as to whether you have been chosen for the role.

We ask that you be patient as we may have several candidates to interview, but we value your time and will offer the professional courtesy of a response either way. Also, if you are no longer interested in the role or have accepted another role, please notify your recruiter so they can remove you from the interview process.

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