HSE Manager - University Park, IL

Job Description

Job Description

Lead Where Safety Meets Execution

Verdant Specialty Solutions is seeking an HSE Manager to lead site health, safety, and environmental performance, driving a proactive safety culture through frontline engagement, behavior-based safety, and real-time risk management.

This is not a desk-based compliance role - success is measured by presence and influence in the field. This is a highly visible, plant-facing position where you will work side-by-side with operators, supervisors, and plant leadership to translate safety systems into daily behaviors that protect people, operations, and the environment.

If you are a hands-on safety leader who thrives in the field, influences without authority, and is passionate about building a culture where safe work is how work gets done, we want to talk to you.

Why This Role Is Different

• Frontline Impact: your presence on the plant floor directly shapes behaviors and reduces risk in real time
• Behavior Over Checklists: move beyond compliance to drive true safety ownership and accountability
• Operational Integration: safety is embedded in production—not separate from it
• Culture Builder: influence how employees think about and act on safety every day
• Real-Time Decision Making: identify, assess, and mitigate risks as operations happen
• System Ownership: ensure safety systems are effective, practical, and sustainable—not just documented

What You’ll Do

Drive Behavioral Safety & Field Leadership

• Maintain a strong daily presence on the production floor engaging operators and supervisors
• Observe, coach, and reinforce safe behaviors in real time
• Intervene using a coaching-based approach to correct unsafe actions
• Build trust with frontline teams and promote a strong “stop work” culture
• Identify behavioral trends and address systemic risks

Lead Training & Workforce Development

• Design and deliver impactful safety training programs (monthly and as needed)
• Ensure training drives understanding and behavior change—not just compliance
• Coach supervisors to reinforce safety expectations across shifts
• Continuously improve training based on incidents and observations

Own Safety Systems & Risk Management

• Lead incident investigations with focus on root cause and human factors
• Drive near-miss reporting and learning culture
• Oversee job safety analysis and hazard identification processes
• Ensure effectiveness of critical systems:
  • Permit to Work
  • LOTO / Energy Isolation
  • Confined Space
  • Line Break / Process Safety
• Drive closure and sustainability of corrective actions

Ensure Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain compliance with OSHA, EPA, and applicable state regulations
• Prepare and submit required reports (SARA, TRI, EPA, etc.)
• Serve as site contact for regulatory agencies
• Maintain permits and compliance systems
• Lead audits and support inspections

Integrate with Operations

• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and Quality teams to align safety with execution
• Address risks created by production demands
• Support Management of Change (MOC) and capital project safety
• Participate in daily plant and leadership meetings

Drive Continuous Improvement

• Identify gaps in safety performance and systems
• Implement practical, sustainable improvements
• Eliminate low-value “check-the-box” activities
• Adapt corporate HSE initiatives to site-specific needs

What Sets You Apart

• Strong field presence and ability to influence at all levels
• Coaching mindset with ability to change behaviors—not just enforce rules
• Deep understanding of industrial safety and risk management
• Ability to balance regulatory compliance with operational realities
• Strong investigative and root cause analysis skills
• Effective communicator across frontline teams and leadership
• Independent, action-oriented problem solver

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology, or related field
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a chemical or industrial environment (7+ preferred)
• Strong knowledge of OSHA and EPA regulations
• Experience with environmental permitting and reporting
• Familiarity with process safety and industrial hygiene principles
• Experience with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 preferred
• Proven ability to lead safety initiatives in a plant environment

Work Environment
This role is based at our University Park, IL manufacturing facility and requires daily presence in the plant.

• Exposure to chemicals, noise, and industrial operations
• Required use of PPE
• Frequent walking, climbing stairs, and conducting field observations
• Participation in incident response and emergency situations
• Occasional travel (5–10%)

What You’ll Get

• Competitive compensation and benefits
• High-impact leadership role with direct influence on plant safety culture
• Opportunity to shape and improve safety systems and behaviors
• Exposure to regulatory, operational, and corporate HSE initiatives
• A collaborative, plant-focused environment where your work matters every day

About Verdant

Verdant Specialty Solutions is a global specialty chemicals manufacturer combining innovation, agility, and operational excellence. With operations across the United States and Europe, we bring functional chemistry to life—safely, reliably, and responsibly.

If you’re ready to step into a role where safety leadership is visible, practical, and critical to operational success, apply today!

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