Environmental Health & Safety Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Employee Health & Safety Manager

Position Summary

The Employee Health & Safety Manager is responsible for leading, developing, and executing environmental, health, and safety (EHS) strategies to ensure a safe, compliant, and sustainable work environment. This role provides leadership across the site(s) to drive a proactive safety culture, ensure regulatory compliance, and minimize environmental impact. The Manager partners closely with leadership, operations, and employees to embed safety into all aspects of the business while continuously improving programs, policies, and performance. 

The successful candidate will be a hands-on leader who spends significant time on the production floor identifying risks, coaching leaders, engaging employees, and driving sustainable improvements in safety performance. Success in this role will be measured not only by regulatory compliance, but by reductions in injury rates, increased employee participation, improved leadership accountability, and overall safety culture maturity.

Essential Functions of the Job

The essential functions of this position require the individual, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform the following:

Leadership & Safety culture transformation

• Lead the development and execution of a proactive, employee-centered safety culture.
• Drive employee involvement through safety committees, safety observations, town halls, listening sessions, and continuous improvement activities. 
• Create a culture where employees feel empowered and obligated to identify hazards, report concerns, and stop unsafe work. 
• Partners with leadership to ensure safety accountability exists at all levels of the organization.
• Implement and continuously improve company-wide EHS strategies, programs, and initiatives.
• Drive a strong safety culture focused on accountability, engagement, and proactive risk prevention.
• Serve as the primary EHS leader and subject matter expert for assigned facility.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure safety performance and progress against company objectives.

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Ensure full compliance with OSHA, EPA, DOT, ISO 14001, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Monitor regulatory changes and proactively implement necessary program updates.
• Serve as the primary company liaison with regulatory agencies, auditors, and external partners.
• Lead internal and external audits, ensuring readiness and closure of findings.

Program Development & Implementation

• Develop, standardize, and maintain comprehensive EHS programs, policies, and procedures across facilities.
• Design and implement safety systems including risk assessments, hazard control programs, and environmental management systems.
• Oversee development and execution of safety checklists, audit schedules, and compliance protocols.

Training & Employee Engagement

• Lead the design, delivery, and evaluation of EHS training programs to ensure compliance and promote safe work practices.
• Ensure proper documentation and recordkeeping for all training initiatives.
• Partner with leadership to reinforce accountability and engagement in safety programs at all levels.

Risk Management & Continuous Improvement

• Lead risk assessments and mitigation efforts in key areas such as machine guarding, lockout/tagout (LOTO), ergonomics, hazardous materials, and slip/trip/fall prevention.
• Analyze injury, incident, and near-miss trends to identify root causes and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce risk and improve overall safety performance.

Incident Investigation & Reporting

• Oversee and conduct thorough investigations of incidents, injuries, and near misses.
• Ensure root cause analysis is completed and corrective actions are effectively implemented and sustained.
• Maintain accurate and compliant reporting and documentation.

Operational Support & Collaboration

• Provide technical EHS guidance and support to plant leadership, engineering, and operations teams.
• Participate in new product/process development and capital projects to ensure safety and environmental compliance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate EHS considerations into all business initiatives.

Environmental Management

• Lead efforts to minimize environmental impact and ensure proper handling of hazardous materials and waste.
• Oversee compliance with environmental programs including hazardous waste management (RCRA) and emissions standards where applicable.

Other Duties

• Prepare and deliver reports, presentations, and materials for leadership meetings and training sessions.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Recommended Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental health & safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, or related field required.
• Minimum of 5–7+ years of progressive EHS experience , with demonstrated leadership responsibility.
• Experience in manufacturing, warehousing, or industrial environments is strongly preferred.
• Proven experience leading audits, inspections, training programs, and incident investigations.

Certifications (Preferred)

• OSHA 30 (or equivalent advanced certification)
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or equivalent (preferred)
• First Aid/CPR/AED certification
• DOT, RCRA, and Hazardous Waste Management training

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• In-depth knowledge of OSHA, EPA, DOT, ANSI standards and ISO 14001.
• Strong understanding of SDS, PPE, LOTO, hazard communication, and machine guarding.
• Ability to interpret and apply safety regulations and technical data.
• Strong leadership, influencing, and change management skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• High level of interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office or similar software.

Leadership Expectations

• Demonstrate ownership and accountability for EHS performance.
• Be a visible leader on the production floor, engaging employees and leaders daily.
• Coach and develop supervisors, managers, and employees to strengthen safety culture and leadership accountability.
• Influence decision-making with data-driven insights and best practices.
• Build employee trust while driving high standards of safety performance.
• Foster a collaborative and proactive approach to risk management.

All Employees Are Expected To:

• Follow the Employee Handbook policies and procedures and uphold organizational values.
• Contribute to a positive, safe, and productive work environment.
• Report to work consistently and on time.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions or practices to leadership.

Benefits: Eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance; HSA options; life and disability insurance; voluntary supplemental benefits; a 401(k) retirement plan with company contributions; and paid time off.