EHS Manager

 We offer: 

*Longevity bonus 

* 401K  after one year of employment 

* Paid time off (PTO) 

*7 Paid Holidays

The Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining safety, health, and environmental programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations in a food manufacturing environment. This role supports the plant’s commitment to safe operations, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement while fostering a culture of safety and sustainability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

• Regulatory Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, FDA, USDA, and state/local environmental and workplace safety regulations.
  • Assure compliance of customer requirements regarding EHS to keep their certifications
  • Maintain all required environmental permits, air/water quality documentation, waste management records, and compliance reports.
  • Stay current with regulatory changes and communicate updates to leadership and staff.
  • Deliver information required by Grupo Nutresa regarding EHS and compliance.
    
    
• Health and Safety Programs
  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve plant safety programs, including lockout/tagout, machine guarding, ergonomics, confined space entry, and hazard communication.
  • Oversee food industry–specific programs such as sanitation chemical handling, allergen control, and safe food-contact procedures.
  • Coordinate emergency response and crisis management plans, including fire, chemical spill, evacuation, and natural disaster preparedness.
    
• Training and Engagement
  • Conduct EHS orientation for all new employees and contractors.
  • Lead ongoing training programs, toolbox talks, and safety drills.
  • Partner with supervisors and frontline employees to promote a culture of safety through active engagement and participation.
    
    
• Risk Management and Auditing
  • Conduct regular facility inspections, hazard assessments, and safety audits to identify and mitigate risks.
  • Implement corrective and preventive action plans with measurable timelines.
  • Oversee job safety analyses (JSAs) and ensure risk assessments are conducted for new equipment, processes, and facility changes.
    
    
• Incident Management
  • Lead investigations of workplace incidents, injuries, near-misses, and environmental events.
  • Perform root cause analysis and develop corrective actions.
  • Track, analyze, and report trends to leadership; use findings to drive continuous improvement.
    
    
• Environmental Stewardship
  • Manage waste disposal programs, recycling initiatives, wastewater treatment, and chemical storage/handling practices.
  • Monitor plant energy usage, water conservation, and emissions reduction projects.
  • Recommend and lead sustainability initiatives aligned with company goals.
    
    
• Leadership and Communication
  • Serve as the primary contact for regulatory agencies, auditors, and insurance representatives.
  • Report safety metrics, audit results, and compliance updates to plant management and corporate leadership.
  • Provide coaching, mentoring, and guidance to supervisors and employees on EHS best practices.
    
    
• Continuous Improvement
  • Use data-driven metrics (e.g., TRIR, DART rate, near-miss frequency) to track performance and identify areas of improvement.
  • Implement Lean/Six Sigma or other continuous improvement methods to integrate safety and environmental performance into overall operational efficiency.
  • Benchmark against industry standards to keep the plant competitive in safety and sustainability practices.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, Food Science, or a related field.

• Master’s degree in Occupational Safety Management, Environmental Health, or Business Administration preferred.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive EHS experience in a manufacturing environment; 3+ years in food manufacturing or consumer packaged goods (CPG) strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading EHS programs in a facility with high regulatory oversight (FDA, USDA, EPA).
• Proven track record managing audits, inspections, and compliance reporting with government agencies.
  Technical Knowledge
• In-depth knowledge of OSHA, EPA, FDA, USDA, and state-specific regulatory requirements.
• Strong understanding of the food industry–specific risks including allergen control, sanitation chemical handling, microbiological safety, and HACCP integration.
• Experience with safety management systems (ISO 45001, ISO 14001, or equivalent).
• Knowledge of industrial hygiene practices, ergonomics, and behavioral-based safety (BBS) programs.
• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
  Certifications (preferred but not required)
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
• Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
• Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
• OSHA 30-hour General Industry Certification
• First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor certification
  Skills and Abilities
• Strong leadership and team-building skills with the ability to influence at all organizational levels.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical employees.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to use data and metrics for decision-making.
• Ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines in a fast-paced food production environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and EHS management systems; ability to generate reports and track KPIs.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus, given a diverse workforce environment.