Position Overview:Responsible for setting and leading the environmental, health, and safety strategy across MP Materials' Texas magnet operations-the greenfield 10X facility (Northlake) and the operating Independence facility (Fort Worth)-driving toward a goal of "zero" injuries through behavior-based safety, employee engagement, and continuous improvement. Build, lead, and develop the site EHS organizations and ensure EHS and environmental programs are standardized, implemented, and sustained across both sites. Own enterprise compliance with local, state, and federal environmental and safety regulations across both Texas sites as they apply to air emissions, wastewater, stormwater, hazardous and industrial waste, hazardous materials, combustible metal dusts, compressed and cryogenic gases (including hydrogen), confined space entry, lab safety and chemical hygiene, and process safety (PSM/RMP). The EHS Director leads the development, implementation, and sustainment of EHS programs and the EHS teams that deliver them; ensures the safety of all employees, visitors, and contractors; protects the environment; uses the Independence facility as a regulatory and design precedent for 10X; and maintains compliance across the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of the 10X rare earth magnet manufacturing facility.
Position Responsibilities:- Provide EHS leadership across both the 10X and Independence facilities; hire, lead, mentor, and develop site EHS managers and staff, and set goals, budgets, and performance expectations for the EHS function.
- Standardize EHS management systems, programs, and metrics across both sites, leveraging Independence as a regulatory and design precedent to accelerate and de-risk 10X, while accounting for the distinct requirements of an operating plant versus a facility in design and construction.
- Serve as the senior EHS point of contact to executive leadership and to regulatory agencies (TCEQ, EPA, OSHA) and local AHJs; report EHS performance, risk, and strategy to leadership and represent MP Materials in agency interactions and inspections.
- Work within the MP Materials team to define and execute a strategy to ensure all equipment and facilities are designed and operate to world class environmental, health, and safety standards.
- Oversee efforts to ensure all manufacturing and processing activities are conducted in a manner consistent with our company's values, and in compliance with all permits and right to operate elements.
- Develop and implement emergency response plans that comply with Company policies and procedures as well as local governing authorities.
- Develop, implement, and maintain all required OSHA (29 CFR 1910 General Industry) policies and procedures, to include recordkeeping requirements, injury reporting, and quarterly and annual injury data in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
- Embed EHS requirements into the design, permitting, construction, and commissioning of the greenfield 10X facility, reviewing process and equipment packages (e.g., sintering, grinding, jet milling, electrolysis, calciothermic reduction) and partnering with engineering, EPC contractors, and AHJs to ensure inherently safe design and safe startup
- Develop, implement, and maintain OSHA Process Safety Management (29 CFR 1910.119) and EPA Risk Management (RMP) programs for covered processes, including cryogenic hydrogen storage and use, with defensible process boundaries, PHAs, and pre-startup safety reviews.
- Lead air permitting strategy and ongoing TCEQ compliance, accounting for the facility's location in the DFW ozone nonattainment area and the associated major source thresholds for NOx and VOC.
- Establish and maintain combustible metal dust controls (dust hazard analysis, baghouse/collection siting, explosion protection) in accordance with applicable NFPA standards, including NFPA 484, 652, 654, 68, and 69.
- Schedule/coordinate/follow-up and provide guidance on all monthly employee Safety Committee meetings and associated safety issues.
- Assist in obtaining environmental permits as it relates to water, air, and waste in a timely manner.
- Ensure compliance with company EHS audit standards and collaborate with internal and external auditors to resolve findings in a timely, efficient, and professional manner.
- Manage the EHS inspection program site-wide and for all new processes and equipment ensuring safe startup and operation.
- Ensure facility's SWPPP, SPCC, wastewater permits, and water management practices are maintained, and any changes or discrepancies are corrected in a timely manner.
- Manage the injury/illness, incident and near miss investigation process and the corresponding EHS action item logs, ensuring actions are corrected in a timely manner.
- Identify hazards and recommend changes in current processes or procedures that will reduce employee exposure workplace hazards and minimize any possible environmental impacts.
- Review plans and specifications for proposed and approved projects and construction of new equipment or processes to determine compliance with all environmental, health & safety requirements.
- Ensure that environmental management policies and procedures are maintained in conformance with the company's objectives with respect to environmental, health and safety performance.
- Other duties as assigned.
Basic Qualifications:- BS or higher in a relevant technical discipline, with CSP, CHMM or CIH certification preferred.
- Demonstrated experience building and leading EHS teams and management systems across multiple sites, including programs spanning both operating facilities and projects in design/construction.
- Demonstrated ability to partner with operations, engineering, and development organizations to develop holistic EHS solutions.
- Demonstrated expertise in some combination of OSHA regulations, international safety standards and codes, and environmental regulations and policies (air, water, solid waste, etc.).
- Experience implementing and auditing OSHA PSM and EPA RMP programs.
- Knowledge of OHSAS 18001 and/or other compliance management systems.
- Experience communicating and negotiating with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.
- Working knowledge of Texas (TCEQ) air, water, and waste permitting is strongly preferred, including New Source Review and permitting in an ozone nonattainment area.
- Experience in the definition, design, implementation of safety, health, environmental, and sustainability practices for new processes, facilities, and equipment.
- Natural teacher, comfortable and enthusiastic to define, implement, document, and manage required and voluntary EHS training programs.
- Entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects.
Desired Qualitied:- At least 12 years of progressive EHS experience in advanced manufacturing, metals, or chemical processing industries, including direct people-leadership and multi-site responsibility, strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated expertise and experience with best practices for the handling and processing of combustible metal dust in a manufacturing environment, including application of NFPA 484, 652, and 654.
- Expert knowledge in Behavior Based Systems, Human Factors and Inherently Safe Design, and experience in definition, implementation, and ongoing management of related programs.
- Experience with EHS-related diligence for M&A transactions.
- Ability to identify and solve problems and effectively communicate and advocate for these solutions to others (from operators to management).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Expert level user of Microsoft Office suite.
