EHS Manager

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Smithfield Scholarship Program

Tuition assistance via Guild

LinkedIn Learning access

Be Well programs

Scholarship for employees' children

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is seeking an Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Manager to lead regulatory compliance, EMS/SIPS implementation, and safety training across the site. You will manage OSHA/EPA programs, coordinate audits, and drive continuous improvement in environmental and worker safety practices.

The role requires extensive experience in EHS leadership, strong communication, and the ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with on-call duties and occasional travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental, health and safety with 5+ years of experience.
• 2+ years of team management or project leadership.
• Ability to lead emergency response and make strategic decisions under pressure.
• Willingness to work long hours, weekends and on-call when required.
• Occasional travel.

Responsibilities

• Oversee EHS programs to ensure OSHA, EPA and company standards compliance.
• Maintain EMS and SIPS, lead ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification efforts.
• Manage Process Safety and Risk Management for ammonia refrigeration.
• Train production employees and management on OSHA and environmental regs and SOPs.
• Track KPIs and communicate action plans to the team.
• Provide leadership and coaching to staff.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Incident investigation

Communication skills

SAP (preferred)

Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in EHS

Tools

SAP

Windows/Excel/HRIS

Job description

THE VALUE YOU'LL BRING:

As the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Manager, you will be the cornerstone of our commitment to worker health, safety, and environmental stewardship. You will lead regulatory requirements in areas such as Worker Safety, Environmental, Process Safety Management (PSM), Risk Management Program (RMP), Security, Waste/Wastewater Operations, and medical management. You will lead the charge in the implementation of EHS programs, communicate initiatives relating to Smithfield’s Injury Prevention System (SIPS) and Environmental Management System (EMS), as well as provide direction regarding compliance, training, and EHS practices at all levels within the location. You will play a pivotal role in designing, managing, and implementing our comprehensive Environmental, Health, and Safety programs. Join us and make a significant impact on our safety culture and environmental responsibility!

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

Programs:

You will oversee the implementation and management of Environmental, Health and Safety programs to ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA and company standards. You will conduct annual program reviews, maintain the Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and Smithfield Injury Prevention System (SIPS), and address audit findings promptly. Your role includes leading ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification efforts, managing Process Safety and Risk Management Programs for ammonia refrigeration, and coordinating site security plans with management.

Process:

You will be responsible for ensuring effective healthcare and handling of incidents to reduce workers’ compensation costs, absenteeism, and turnover. You will review and monitor incident investigation reports, participate in claim reviews and mediations, and address EHS incident trends with actionable plans. You will train production employees and management on OSHA, environmental regulations, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and emergency response protocols.

Compliance:

You will ensure timely completion of employee exposure surveys and oversee environmental permit applications to prevent lapses in coverage. Additionally, you will monitor and enforce compliance with safety programs and environmental permits and plans, report non‑compliance to the appropriate individuals and facilitate necessary corrections or re‑training according to company policies.

Training:

You will be accountable for ensuring training is conducted as required by regulatory and Smithfield EHS systems.

Key Performance Indicators:

Your responsibility includes maintaining compliance with Key Performance Indicators and communicate action plans to your team based on results.

Leadership:

Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.

WHAT WE'RE SEEKING:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four‑year college or university in the environmental, health and safety field and 5+ years relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership is required.
• Ability to make strategic decisions while in stressful situations including leading emergency response efforts.
• Comfortable with, at times, working long hours, weekends, and remaining in an on‑call status when required including adjusting work schedule to cover evening/night shift training or to troubleshoot concerns as determined by Plant Management.
• Occasional travel involved to collaborate with others.

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:

• Thorough knowledge of OSHA regulations including Process Safety Management requirements for ammonia refrigeration.
• Air, water, and waste permitting experience for an industrial plant setting.
• Thorough knowledge of workers’ compensation processes and injury investigation requirements.
• Strong oral and written communication skills for drafting reports, business correspondence, and procedures in English.
• Effective presentation skills and ability to respond to questions from a diverse audience.
• Detail oriented.
• Self‑motivated, result‑oriented, focused on meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work on a computer, access company programs and files, work in and learn Windows‑based database systems, Excel worksheet navigation, word processing programs, Human Resource electronic systems, SAP (preferred), Internet software, manufacturing software.
• Math skills to calculate efficiencies, percentage reductions, and air emissions on a rolling 12‑month basis.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions (non‑weather related), extreme cold and heat (non‑weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals. Noise level in the work environment requires hearing protection. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Indoor and outdoor work environments. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Frequently required to stand; walk; use stairs, some ladder climbing, reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and talk or hear. Work alternate shifts and some weekends. Ability to deliver information to diverse audiences. Fundamental mathematical skills for managing Key Performance Indicators. Embody respect, approachability, and a team‑oriented demeanor for fostering robust working relationships and cultivating a positive work environment. Thrive in collaborating in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.

Relocation Package Available

Yes

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non‑job characteristic as directed by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.

Benefits & Professional Development

Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out‑of‑pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers. Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost. These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more. Our company invests in your future. We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential. Through LinkedIn Learning, employees can access on‑demand courses, professional certificates, and skill‑based training to build capabilities aligned with career and business needs. Our partnership with Guild supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high‑potential talent. We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.

We provide good jobs. We take good care of our animals. We are good stewards of the environment. We do good in our local communities.

At Smithfield, good food starts with good people. "Good food. Responsibly.®" is more than just our tagline; it's what we do.

About Smithfield Foods

Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan's Famous®, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.