Andrew Kovacich
Saginaw,TX
Summary
A strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading, and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring, and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance. Hardworking and passionate job seeker with strong organizational skills eager to secure an senior management EHS position. Ready to help the team achieve company goals. To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Corporate Director of Environmental, Health and Safety
CTI Foods
04.2021 - 02.2024
- Provided oversight and leadership in managing day-to-day operations concerning environmental and safety compliance for a portfolio of six meat processing and food manufacturing facilities
- Directed nursing and safety staff within these facilities, ensuring effective coordination and execution of tasks
- Assumed responsibility for all aspects of worker’s compensation, encompassing policy development, negotiations, reserve posting, and supervision of legal representation
- Successfully achieved a remarkable reduction in worker’s compensation premiums, reducing the annual cost from $249,000 to $71,000
- Demonstrated exceptional procurement skills by evaluating and selecting new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suppliers, resulting in annual cost savings exceeding one million dollars
- Engineered a transformative shift in the safety culture by introducing a customized behavior-based program
- This initiative led to a substantial drop in the OSHA Total Recordable Incident Frequency (TRIF) rate, decreasing it from 44.03 to an impressive 2.09 within a single year
- Orchestrated the safety program to secure four awards from the North American Safety Council, marking a historic achievement for the organization
- Spearheaded a period of zero injuries at the beans facility for an entire year, reflecting a highly successful safety approach
- I leveraged my expertise to build a collaborative team culture that harnessed individual strengths for collective success
- Achieved a remarkable reduction in annual work comp costs, driving the average down from over 3 million dollars a year to under $400,000
- Further endeavors are underway to lower this average to under $50,000
- Applied comprehensive safety expertise to support the engineering department in waste reduction initiatives and the implementation of manpower-saving automation programs
- Provided targeted training and guidance to enhance the capabilities of supervisors and managers in their respective roles
- Introduced a low-dollar, commonsense ergonomic program
- Startup of a management-led safety ownership program.
- Met regulatory, compliance, and safety requirements.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
- Implemented industry best practices for risk management and compliance, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
Metallic Division Environmental, Health and Safety Manager
Martinrea Heavy Stamping
10.2010 - 04.2021
- Orchestrated environmental, health, and safety across various sites: 6 plants in Canada, 6 in Mexico, 9 in the United States, and 1 in Germany
- Conducted regular on-site inspections to pinpoint unsafe conditions and visually identify potential hazards in equipment, systems, products, and facilities
- Designed safety protocols for future machinery installations; authored and managed comprehensive OSHA procedures, including training programs for visitors and contractors
- I oversaw daily safety audits, ensuring a culture of safety within the company
- Researched and procured Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) within budget
- Led safety training meetings, ergonomic exercises, and initiated security policies
- Established a comprehensive safety training program, incorporating presentations, lectures, and written tests
- Crafted an award-winning behavior-based safety program that significantly increased safety measures and fostered an improved safety culture
- Managed workers’ compensation, including doctor screenings, billing, and representation
- Leveraging lower premiums and decreasing dollars out of pocket by more than 60%
- Developed Emergency Action Plans and headed the Environmental Department, managing permits, programs, and record-keeping for various environmental initiatives
- Achievements include a 40% waste reduction through recycling and cutting the OSHA rate from 22.00 to 2.69 by implementing proactive visual safety practices.
- Mentored junior staff members on professional development opportunities related to occupational health and safety career paths.
- Assessed new equipment acquisitions for potential hazards before integration into the workplace environment.
- Spearheaded initiatives aimed at reducing worker exposure to hazardous materials through proper handling techniques and personal protective equipment usage.
- Devised and monitored safety performance metrics to assess and improve safety performance.
- Promoted environmental sustainability efforts within the organization by implementing waste reduction strategies and energy efficiency measures.
- Monitored legislative updates relating to workplace health and safety, ensuring ongoing compliance with regulations.
- Developed and executed training programs for employees, improving overall safety awareness and compliance.
- Consistently achieved high levels of employee engagement in safety meetings, fostering an environment focused on continuous improvement.
Environmental Health and Safety Manager
TBDN Tennessee Company Division of Toyota
06.2006 - 10.2010
- Attended the Environmental Health and Safety Certification Program in Japan for Toyota, embracing the Toyota Way
- Subsequently, I have performed regular hands-on visits to proactively identify hazardous conditions, focusing on systems, equipment, products, and facilities
- Engineered and implemented safety processes for upcoming machinery in planned projects
- Managed all written OSHA procedures, policies, and training programs for visitors and contractors
- Conducted daily safety audits, monitored safety programs, and ensured compliance with OSHA regulations
- Cultivated a company-wide safety culture, continuously monitoring key areas for adherence to OSHA standards and employee well-being
- Strategically researched and procured Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety gear while adhering to budget constraints
- Orchestrated safety training meetings and ergonomic sessions
- Developed and administered security policies, as well as a comprehensive safety training program that encompassed multimedia presentations, lectures, and written assessments
- Conducted program assessments to identify and rectify departmental shortcomings
- Led the Quick Response Team (QRT) as the Chief, overseeing firefighting and hazardous cleanup training
- Managed all aspects of the workers' compensation program, including doctor selection, billing, and representation
- Crafted and reviewed the Emergency Action Plan
- Spearheaded the Environmental Department, overseeing permits, programs, and record-keeping for various environmental aspects including waste management, storm water sampling, and wastewater treatment
- Notable achievements include a 40% waste cost reduction through the implementation of a recycling initiative and a significant decrease in the average OSHA rate from 4.9 to 0.35 by introducing behavior-based safety measures and a proactive visual safety approach for employees.
- Improved workplace safety by identifying and addressing potential hazards in a timely manner.
- Provided leadership during incident investigations, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions to prevent future occurrences.
- Performed safety analyses to evaluate potential risks and develop risk mitigation strategies.
- Served as liaison between the company and regulatory agencies, fostering positive relationships while maintaining compliance standards.
Environmental Health and Safety Training Officer
Avpol International
07.2002 - 02.2006
- My experience and job duties include managing contracts with various organizations, including Chrysler truck manufacturing facilities, The Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis City Fire Departments, Nemours Construction Companies, Propane Company’s and other manufacturing companies
- My responsibilities encompassed a range of tasks, such as training, policy and procedure development, and guideline creation
- I successfully handled contract completion and permit processes and efficiently managed worker’s compensation from policy implementation to settlement negotiations
- Moreover, I excelled at overseeing and supervising significant construction programs focused on the reconstruction of hydroelectric dams, demolition, Hazmat decontamination, and clean-up.
- Prepared warrants and searched buildings for criminal activity and illegal substances.
- Supported the creation of detailed, technical financial models to value potential acquisition targets.
- Established effective relationships with key stakeholders both internally and externally for increased collaboration opportunities.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to address complex issues, leading to more efficient problem-solving processes.
Education
Certification - Environmental Health And Safety Professional
Toyota University
Toyota City, JapanBachelor of Business Management -
United States Military Academy/University of Aberdeen
01.1993
Skills
- Strategic Leadership
- Safety Program Development
- Cost-Reduction Strategies
- Multi-Site Operations Management
- Team Collaboration
- Procurement and Cost Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance
- Training and Development
- Emergency Response Planning
- Environmental Initiatives
- DOT Compliances
- New Build Process design procedure
- Custom created procedures and policies
- Expert in behavior-based Safety Program development
- Experts in Microsoft
- Create Build Standards and inspect to standard
- Industry Networking
- Employee Development
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Mind Mapping
- Business Leadership
- Performance Improvement
- Supplier Monitoring
- Inventory Management
- Staff Development
- Decision-Making
- KPI Tracking
- Emergency response plans
- Chemical safety
- Training Coordination
- Safety audits
- Confined Space Entry
- Occupational health
- Safety program development
- First Aid Training
- Hazard Identification
- Workplace inspections
- Ergonomics Evaluation
- Incident Reporting
- Contractor Management
- Safety Training
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Root Cause Analysis
- Hazardous Materials Handling
- Electrical Safety
- Risk Assessment
- Waste Management
- Transportation safety
- Air Quality Control
- Environmental Monitoring
- Hazardous waste management
- Public Speaking
- Team building
- Remote Office Availability
- Computer Skills
- Interpersonal Communication
- Team Management
Accomplishments
- I achieved an 80% reduction in injuries by introducing my own custom-based behavioral-based safety program.
- I received four awards from the National Safety Council for 2022 and 5 awards in 2023
Certification
- Toyota Environmental Health and Safety Certification
- Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS)
- Master Safety Professional (MSP)
- Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technetium (OHST)
- Certified Risk Management Trainer
- 132 Hour OSH Professional
- OSHA 30 Hour Both General Industry and Construction
- OSHA 10 Hour Both General Industry and Construction
- Hazwoper Train the Trainer
- OSHA 501 Trainer
- Including Many Others.
Affiliations
- Member of National Safety Council (NSC)
- Member of North American Meatpackers Institute (NAMI)
- Member, Environmental and Safety Professionals Association (ESPA)
US Army Veteran
US Army for 8 years, overseeing maintenance at GS and Depot locations.
ARMY SERVICE RIBBON
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
ARMY OVERSEAS SERVICE RIBBON
Timeline
Corporate Director of Environmental, Health and Safety
CTI Foods
04.2021 - 02.2024
Metallic Division Environmental, Health and Safety Manager
Martinrea Heavy Stamping
10.2010 - 04.2021
Environmental Health and Safety Manager
TBDN Tennessee Company Division of Toyota
06.2006 - 10.2010
Environmental Health and Safety Training Officer
Avpol International
07.2002 - 02.2006
Certification - Environmental Health And Safety Professional
Toyota University
Bachelor of Business Management -
United States Military Academy/University of Aberdeen