Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Manager

Environmental Health & Safety Manager

The Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Manager supports two manufacturing facilities located in Faribault, MN and McCook, IL. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Human Resources, they work closely with plant leadership teams and cross-functional partners to implement, manage, and continuously improve EHS programs that protect employees, ensure regulatory compliance, and support operational excellence.

The EHS Manager serves as a hands-on, collaborative partner across both sites, helping drive a proactive safety culture while supporting site teams in meeting regulatory, corporate, and customer expectations. They have the opportunity to influence day-to-day operations while also contributing to long-term safety and environmental initiatives across the segment.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain Environmental, Health, & Safety (EHS) programs in compliance with OSHA, EPA, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Conduct risk assessments and hazard analyses to proactively identify safety and environmental concerns and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead incident investigations, serve as the primary point of contact for workplace incidents, determine root causes, and drive sustainable corrective actions to reduce risk and prevent recurrence.
• Coordinate and manage workplace incidents that may require internal response efforts and/or external medical treatment, ensuring proper communication, documentation, and follow-up.
• Perform routine audits, inspections, and compliance reviews to ensure adherence to internal standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies.
• Partner cross-functionally with production, maintenance, engineering, and leadership teams to support chemical safety, waste management, industrial hygiene, and environmental compliance initiatives.
• Develop and deliver engaging EHS training programs for employees at all levels, including onboarding, annual compliance training, and site-specific safety initiatives.
• Conduct classroom and hands-on operational training for Powered Industrial Vehicle (PIV) operators, including certification for new operators and refresher/retraining for existing employees.
• Lead and facilitate site safety committees, driving employee engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement in safety performance and culture.
• Maintain emergency response plans, coordinate emergency preparedness activities, and facilitate drills to ensure site readiness and regulatory compliance.
• Analyze EHS metrics and trends to identify opportunities for improvement and communicate key findings, risks, and recommendations to site leadership.
• Operate effectively within a 24/7 manufacturing environment, maintaining visibility and presence across all shifts to support employees, reinforce safety expectations, and respond to operational needs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen site-level safety culture, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence.

Personal Attributes and Experience

• Demonstrated ability to lead with integrity, accountability, and professionalism in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills with the ability to partner effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Hands-on leadership style with a visible floor presence and commitment to employee engagement and safety culture development
• Ability to balance regulatory compliance with practical operational needs and business objectives.
• Proven capability to drive change, influence behaviors, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Strong communication and coaching skills, including the ability to deliver clear expectations, constructive feedback, and impactful training.
• High level of organization, urgency, and problem-solving ability with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to remain calm, decisive, and effective during emergency response situations and incident investigations.
• Self-motivated and adaptable leader capable of operating effectively within a 24/7 manufacturing environment across multiple locations and shifts.
• Collaborative leadership approach with the ability to build trust and credibility with frontline employees, supervisors, leadership teams, and external partners.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental health & safety, Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Science, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive EHS leadership experience within a manufacturing, or industrial, environment preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, workers' compensation, and applicable state and federal regulatory requirements.
• Experience leading incident investigations, root cause analysis, corrective action implementation, and risk mitigation efforts.
• Strategic application of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies to drive business outcomes, enhance decision-making, and improve operational efficiency.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST), or similar are a plus.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, environmental & safety standards, and best practices.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and EHS/safety management systems, including the ability to analyze data, prepare reports, and track compliance and corrective actions.
• Bilingual skills are a plus.

Work Environment

Work is performed in both office and manufacturing environments within a 24/7 operational setting. This role requires regular presence on the production floor across multiple shifts and routine travel between facilities located in Faribault, MN and McCook, IL.

The EHS Manager will frequently conduct facility inspections, audits, incident investigations, safety observations, and training activities in industrial manufacturing environments, including exposure to noise, moving mechanical equipment, chemicals, temperature variations, and other manufacturing-related conditions. Work may include both indoor and outdoor activities in varying weather conditions.

This position requires extended periods of standing, walking, climbing stairs, and navigating active production areas. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn in designated areas in accordance with company policies and safety requirements.

Travel up to 30% is required to support multi-site operations, training initiatives, audits, and other business needs.

Pay Range

• $120,000-$130,000

Our Benefits

We care about and invest in our employees. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their well-being and foster professional development. Here is a glimpse of what you can look forward to if you join our team.

• Competitive Benefits Package for employees and their dependents (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability)
• Incentive Plans
• 401(k) with employer contribution and match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer match
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Time)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness Program
• Training and Career Progression

Apogee and our brands are an Equal Opportunity Employer.