Environmental Health & Safety Manager

Joining King’s Hawaiian makes you part of our ohana (family). We are a family-owned business for over seventy years, respecting our roots while thinking about our future as we continue to grow and care for our customers and the communities we serve. Our ohana members build an environment of inclusivity as they freely collaborate, pursue learning through curiosity, and explore innovation as critical thinkers. Beyond that, we are also passionate about supporting the long-term health and well-being of our employees and their families. If you’re excited to rise with our team, come and join our `ohana!

Working under general supervision, the EHS Manager will lead, develop, and execute site-wide environmental, health, and safety programs aligned with regulatory requirements and company standards, ensuring compliance in a high-volume food manufacturing environment. Success in this role is demonstrated by a proactive safety culture, reduced incidents, and consistently passing regulatory and third-party audits (e.g., OSHA, EPA, SQF). The EHS Manager collaborates cross-functionally with Operations, Quality Assurance, HR, and Maintenance to integrate EHS into daily manufacturing processes and decision-making. Employees in this position may interact with their leader several times a week to receive guidance and feedback. Most non-routine activities may require their leader’s advance approval, but routine decisions within the general scope of the role may be made independently.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of EHS strategies, policies, and programs that align with OSHA 29 CFR, EPA 40 CFR, GMP, and SQF requirements, ensuring a safe and compliant work environment.
• Drive compliance with all federal, state, and local environmental, health, and safety regulations by conducting regular audits, inspections, and risk assessments specific to food manufacturing operations.
• Develop, maintain, and update comprehensive site-specific EHS documentation, including Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, and emergency response plans.
• Manage and track all EHS regulatory permits, including air emissions, wastewater discharge, stormwater, and hazardous/non-hazardous waste, ensuring timely submission of reports and inspections per regulatory timelines.
• Oversee the incident investigation process using root cause analysis tools to identify contributing factors and implement corrective/preventative actions to mitigate recurrence.
• Partner with plant leadership, supervisors, and the Quality Assurance team to ensure food safety and employee safety standards coexist and are embedded in manufacturing processes, including during sanitation, batching, baking, and packaging.
• Coordinate and lead EHS training programs, including OSHA-mandated training (e.g., hazard communication, forklift safety, PPE usage), site-specific safety orientation.
• Facilitate the development and sustainment of a site Safety Action Team, promoting employee engagement, accountability, and ownership in workplace safety practices.
• Maintain accurate EHS records and metrics using internal reporting systems and platforms; regularly report trends to leadership and recommend strategic initiatives to address areas of concern.
• Ensure effective case management and return-to-work processes for work-related injuries or illnesses in collaboration with Human Resources and Workers’ Compensation partners.
• Monitor and manage contractor safety programs, ensuring third-party vendors comply with site-specific EHS and food safety expectations during construction, maintenance, and service work.
• Stay current on changes in EHS regulations, industry best practices, and emerging technologies and translate these insights into actionable improvements across plant operations.
• Oversee facility security operations and third-party security vendor management, including coordination of access control systems, incident reporting protocols, and security audits.
• Lead and support sustainability initiatives that reduce energy, water, and waste usage across production lines, contributing to long-term environmental compliance and corporate responsibility goals.
• Collaborate with Continuous Improvement (CI) teams to integrate safety and environmental considerations into Kaizen events, Gemba walks, and root cause problem-solving activities.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of this role.

BASIC AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE)

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year college or equivalent relevant experience required; degree in Occupational Safety & Health, Environmental Science, Industrial Engineering or a related field preferred.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental health and safety within a manufacturing or food processing environment preferred, but not required.
• 5 years of experience in EHS regulatory compliance and safety program management preferred, but not required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand and walk on production floor up to 75% of the time.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (JOB SKILLS, ABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE)

• Proficient ability to interpret and apply OSHA 29 CFR and EPA 40 CFR regulations to manufacturing settings.
• Bilingual in Spanish strongly preferred.
• Working understanding of GMP and SQF standards and how they intersect with occupational health and environmental safety practices.
• Proficient ability to conduct risk assessments, job hazard analyses, and root cause investigations in a fast-paced production environment.
• Proficient ability to manage air, water, and waste programs in accordance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations.
• Proficient ability to develop and deliver training across diverse employee groups, including frontline operators, leads, and supervisors.
• Proficient ability to influence without authority and build cross-functional relationships across Operations, HR, and Quality teams.
• Working understanding of EHS management systems, document control platforms, and safety performance tracking tools.
• Working understanding of sustainability practices and ability to support corporate environmental initiatives through compliance and innovation.
• Preferred certifications: STS, OHST, ASP, or CSP.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
• Ability to consistently demonstrate King’s values of excellence, dignity, saying it like it is in a way it can be heard; and curiosity, collaboration, critical thinking and emotional intelligence.

King's Hawaiian is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our ohana.