The EHS Manager will lead environmental, health, and safety for our large-scale manufacturing facility of approximately 1,500 employees in West Union, SC.
This role requires an experienced manufacturing safety leader who is comfortable evaluating an established EHS program, identifying where systems are not working as intended, and rolling up their sleeves to close the gaps. The site has existing EHS programs and ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management systems, but we are looking for someone who is not afraid to challenge existing practices, rebuild programs where necessary, and drive consistent execution on the manufacturing floor.
The successful candidate will bring strong technical manufacturing safety experience, particularly in Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), machine guarding, risk assessment, and safety management systems. This is a hands-on leadership position requiring someone who can move comfortably between the plant floor, maintenance and engineering teams, site leadership, and EHS management systems.
Duties & Responsibilities:
EHS Management Systems & Program Improvement
- Evaluate the site's existing EHS management system, programs, procedures, and field execution to identify gaps and improvement opportunities.
- Develop and execute corrective action plans to close identified gaps and strengthen overall EHS performance.
- Assess whether written programs and procedures are effectively implemented on the manufacturing floor, not simply whether documentation exists.
- Maintain ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications while strengthening the practical effectiveness of the underlying management systems.
- Establish clear ownership, accountability, and follow-through for EHS requirements across site functions.
- Maintain strong systems for regulatory compliance obligations, required training, inspections, audits, and corrective actions.
Manufacturing Safety & Risk Management
- Lead and strengthen the site's Lockout/Tagout program, including equipment-specific energy control procedures, periodic inspections, authorized employee practices, and coordination with Maintenance and Engineering.
- Evaluate machine guarding and machine safety across existing equipment, production lines, and new or modified equipment.
- Partner directly with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, and other technical teams to address machine safety, hazardous energy, and other manufacturing risks.
- Lead risk assessments and hazard identification activities and ensure identified controls are implemented and sustained.
- Identify significant manufacturing hazards and prioritize practical corrective actions based on risk.
- Ensure compliance with applicable OSHA, EPA, DOT, NFPA, and state/local regulatory requirements.
Leadership & Floor Engagement
- Serve as the site's primary EHS leader and technical resource.
- Maintain a strong presence on the manufacturing floor to understand actual working conditions, employee practices, equipment risks, and operational challenges.
- Build effective relationships with operators, technicians, supervisors, engineers, maintenance personnel, and site leadership.
- Coach leaders on their EHS responsibilities and help build greater ownership of safety within Operations.
- Be willing to personally investigate problems, review equipment and work practices, and drive issues through resolution rather than relying solely on administrative systems.
Training & Compliance
- Evaluate the site's EHS training program and address gaps in required training, competency, documentation, and completion.
- Ensure regulatory and site-specific training requirements are clearly defined and effectively managed.
- Develop or improve training related to LOTO, machine safety, hazard recognition, risk assessment, and other critical EHS programs.
- Verify that training translates into safe work practices in the field.
Incident Investigation & Corrective Action
- Lead and support investigations of incidents, injuries, near misses, and significant hazards.
- Apply effective root cause analysis to identify system and organizational contributors, not simply individual actions.
- Develop practical corrective actions and verify that actions are implemented and effective.
- Analyze incident and risk trends to identify recurring or systemic issues.
Environmental & Emergency Preparedness
- Oversee environmental compliance programs, including air, water, waste, permits, and required regulatory reporting.
- Maintain and improve emergency response plans and site preparedness.
- Coordinate drills and exercises and ensure lessons learned result in program improvements.
Metrics & Continuous Improvement
- Track and communicate meaningful EHS performance indicators to site and corporate leadership.
- Monitor program effectiveness, overdue actions, training compliance, regulatory obligations, risk reduction, and other leading indicators.
- Use audits, inspections, risk assessments, incidents, and employee feedback to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Required Skills & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Safety, Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related discipline.
- 10+ years of progressive EHS experience, with significant experience in a manufacturing environment.
- 5+ years of experience leading EHS programs or functions for a complex manufacturing operation.
- Demonstrated experience implementing, rebuilding, or significantly improving Lockout/Tagout programs in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong practical experience evaluating machine guarding and machine safety risks and working with Engineering and Maintenance to implement solutions.
- Demonstrated experience assessing EHS or safety management systems, identifying gaps, and driving corrective actions through implementation.
- Strong knowledge of OSHA requirements and manufacturing safety practices.
- Experience conducting risk assessments, hazard analyses, incident investigations, and root cause analysis.
- Ability to operate effectively both as a strategic EHS leader and as a hands-on practitioner on the manufacturing floor.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to influence employees and leaders at all levels of an organization.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and drive issues to completion in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Experience with ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems.
- CSP, CIH, CHMM, or similar professional certification preferred.
- Experience supporting large manufacturing facilities with complex equipment and processes.
- Experience with machine safety improvements, equipment commissioning, or safety reviews associated with new or modified manufacturing equipment.
- Experience improving established EHS programs during periods of significant change or transformation.
Benefits Info:
This position also includes a competitive benefit package including; financial, social, health and wellbeing programs, paid vacation, 401k matching, employee stock purchase program, hybrid work schedule, and more! This position is eligible for our annual bonus program.
Travel: 0-10%
Physical Demands: This is a typical office job, with no special physical requirements or unusual work environment.
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