Health & Safety Leader

Job Description

Job Description

Health & Safety (H&S) Leader

Responsibilities

The Health & Safety (H&S) Leader provides strategic and tactical direction for all environmental, health, and safety programs across the organization. This highly visible leadership role partners closely with operations and executive leadership to reduce risk, improve compliance, elevate safety culture, and ensure the protection of employees, the environment, and the business. The H&S Leader serves as the organization’s expert in EHS governance, regulatory requirements, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement of systems, processes, and behaviors.

Compensation and Benefits

• Starting pay: $130,000–$140,000 annually, based on experience

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) savings plan with employer match

• Paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave

• Life insurance and employee assistance programs

• Leadership development, professional certifications, and training opportunities

Key Responsibilities

• Coach and counsel leadership to ensure strong execution of EHS accountabilities.

• Partner with operations leadership to meet and exceed EHS objectives.

• Develop and execute strategic and tactical EHS plans, driving fatality prevention, risk recognition, injury reduction, employee health improvement, and environmental compliance.

• Serve as the primary EHS representative to internal and external stakeholders.

• Lead, mentor, develop, and support the professional EHS staff.

• Determine strategic direction for all EHS programs, set EHS goals, and guide organizational priorities.

• Provide technical expertise for EHS program management and compliance with all applicable regulations.

• Serve as the “eyes and ears” of the plant for safety and environmental performance, ensuring leadership maintains awareness of emerging issues.

• Develop programs that prevent injuries, illnesses, and property loss.

• Oversee administrative activities and management systems to ensure compliance with corporate policies and regulatory requirements.

• Maintain EHS performance statistics and use data to drive decision-making.

• Engage daily on the shop floor to understand processes, hazards, and improvement opportunities.

• Lead and coordinate EHS audits to achieve compliance across all protocols.

• Provide candid critique and serve as the conscience of the organization for EHS performance.

• Participate in standardized work design and ABS processes to eliminate exposures.

• Manage the Incident Management System, including final decisions regarding OSHA recordability.

• Lead the Health & Safety Self-Assessment process, ensuring complete compliance and thorough documentation.

• Interface with regulatory agencies (EPA, MIOSHA/OSHA, environmental authorities) and maintain all required permits.

• Monitor regulatory updates and industry best practices to ensure continuous compliance and proactive planning.

• Communicate EHS requirements and performance effectively across the organization.

• Manage budgets, expenses, and risk analysis for EHS operations.

Job Roles

• Integrity and conscience – Holds safety as a core value, functioning as an integrated part of the business, not merely a compliance checkpoint.

• Scope and scale – Recognizes that safety responsibilities extend beyond operations to community, environment, and organizational reputation.

• Business focus – Enables the business to perform safely; anticipates industry changes; applies engineering thinking to reduce risk and error.

• Education hub – Builds awareness, shares information, and empowers others to self-regulate and protect each other.

• Manage complexity – Understands broad legal and regulatory requirements and applies them across varied processes and risk levels.

• Formal and informal authority – Leads with influence, engages through guidance and partnership, and enforces when necessary.

• Advocate – Champions safety culture; identifies blind spots; reduces organizational and individual risk; reinforces accountability.

• Clarity and directness – Communicates expectations precisely; enforces consistently; holds firm to principles under pressure.

• Consultative – Listens actively; tailors guidance to context; considers organizational impact when advising.

• Organized – Manages significant reporting expectations; meets deadlines; communicates needs proactively.

• Influence without direct authority – Builds alignment, persuades through justification and expertise, and drives cross-functional ownership.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive EHS experience in a manufacturing environment

• Legally authorized to work in the United States (no visa sponsorship available)

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental, Health, or Safety discipline

• Professional certification(s) preferred (CSP, CIH, etc.)

• Demonstrated passion for change and strong execution discipline

• Knowledge of Federal and State environmental and safety regulations

• Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills

• Ability to make difficult decisions with incomplete information

• Strengths in conflict resolution, collaboration, initiative, building commitment, and driving change

• Experience leading cross-functional teams and EHS initiatives