EHS Manager- Tennessee Operations

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and leading environmental, health, safety, and sustainability programs that protect employees, ensure regulatory compliance, and support operational excellence across assigned U.S. and international facilities.

This position serves as a strategic partner to Operations leadership by fostering a proactive, behavior-based safety culture focused on risk reduction, continuous improvement, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship. The EHS Manager provides technical expertise, leadership, training, and guidance to drive sustainable safety performance and achieve organizational EHS objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety Leadership and Culture

• Lead the development and execution of environmental, health, and safety programs that promote a culture of safety and operational excellence.

• Foster a proactive, behavior-based safety culture built on accountability, engagement, ownership, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Promote and sustain a Zero Incident mindset throughout all operations.
• Lead and support safety committees, safety observations, near-miss investigations, hazard identification programs, and employee-driven safety initiatives.
• Champion employee participation in safety improvement and risk-reduction activities.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance workplace safety performance and environmental stewardship.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, local, and international environmental, health, and safety regulations, permits, and company standards.
• Maintain current knowledge of OSHA, EPA, DOT, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain EHS policies, procedures, standards, and management systems.
• Coordinate regulatory inspections, audits, and agency interactions as required.
• Prepare, maintain, and submit all required regulatory reports, permits, records, and documentation accurately and on time.
• Ensure accurate recordkeeping related to injuries, illnesses, waste management, environmental compliance, and regulatory reporting.

Risk Management and Incident Prevention

• Identify, assess, prioritize, and mitigate workplace hazards and environmental risks.
• Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions to eliminate or minimize identified risks.
• Lead incident investigations utilizing root cause analysis methodologies and ensure timely implementation of corrective actions.
• Manage injury and illness reporting, case management, workers' compensation coordination, and incident documentation.
• Support emergency preparedness and response activities, including drills, response planning, and incident management.
• Provide EHS guidance and recommendations to Engineering, Operations, and Maintenance teams regarding equipment, facilities, and process improvements.

Environmental Management

• Lead environmental compliance efforts relating to air emissions, waste management, wastewater systems, stormwater programs, chemical management, and sustainability initiatives.
• Support site environmental permitting and reporting requirements.
• Develop programs that reduce environmental impact, improve resource conservation, minimize waste, and enhance sustainability performance.
• Monitor environmental performance indicators and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Training and Employee Development

• Develop and deliver EHS training programs for employees, contractors, supervisors, and managers.
• Facilitate new employee EHS orientation programs.
• Ensure all required regulatory training is completed, documented, and maintained.
• Coach operational leaders and employees on EHS expectations, best practices, and compliance requirements.
• Lead and support employee safety awareness programs, observation programs, and hazard recognition initiatives.

Performance Management and Administration

• Maintain accurate EHS records, databases, reports, and supporting documentation.
• Track, analyze, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, environmental compliance, and sustainability.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Human Resources, and Quality departments to achieve EHS objectives.
• Support strategic EHS initiatives and organizational goals across multiple facilities.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, DOT, and applicable environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Experience leading behavior-based safety and cultural transformation initiatives.
• Knowledge of risk assessment methodologies, industrial hygiene principles, and incident investigation techniques.
• Experience with EHS management systems, including ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
• Demonstrated ability to lead continuous improvement initiatives using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to influence and communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Strong leadership, facilitation, coaching, and training skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
• Experience utilizing EHS information management systems and safety databases.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including nights and weekends, as business needs require.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a closely related field required.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 to 8 years of progressive EHS experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or related environment.
• Multi-site EHS management experience preferred.
• Experience conducting regulatory compliance audits and managing corrective action programs preferred.
• Experience with environmental permitting, waste management, contractor safety, machine guarding, lockout/tagout (LOTO), industrial hygiene, and emergency response programs preferred.
• Experience with incident management systems, SDS management software, and compliance databases preferred.

Professional Certifications (Preferred)

One or more of the following certifications is preferred:

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
• Associate Safety Professional (ASP)
• Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
• Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)

Experience with the following programs is also preferred:

• ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems
• ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
• OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)