Environmental Specialist

James Hardie Corporation; Westfield (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus plan

401(k) with 6% match

Paid Time Off

Employee Stock Purchase plan (ESP)

Wellness programs

Parental leave

Job summary

James Hardie Building Products Inc. is seeking an Environmental Specialist to lead the site’s safety and environmental programs within a manufacturing setting.

You will develop policies, conduct audits, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive continuous improvement across operations. The role emphasizes OSHA/EPA/MASSDEP knowledge, incident investigation, training delivery, and KPI tracking, with a focus on a proactive safety culture and collaboration with operations and engineering to integrate

Qualifications

• 5-7 years’ experience in an environmental, safety, and health role within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with environmental compliance (air permits, wastewater/storm water, RCRA).
• Experience in managing the EHS aspects of a capital project including risk assessments, safety planning and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Proven track record of managing environmental and safety programs and reducing incidents.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain safety policies, procedures, and standards; train plant personnel.
• Conduct regular safety audits, inspections, and risk assessments.
• Develop site-specific emergency response and incident management plans.

Skills

Leadership

Investigation

Cross-functional

Critical thinking

Communication

Safety software

Tools

Safety management software

Job description

James Hardie is the industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fiber cement, fiber gypsum, composite and PVC decking and railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie®, TimberTech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Versatex®, fermacell®, and StruXure®.

With over 8,000 employees and our U.S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities, and 6 research and development centers globally. Powered by a dynamic workforce, we’re united by our purpose of Building a Better Future for All™ through sustainable innovation, a Zero Harm culture, and a commitment to empowering our people and communities.

For more information, visit www.jameshardie.com .

The Environmental Specialist reports to the Senior Regional EHS Manager and will be responsible for playing a key leadership role in shaping and driving the site’s safety strategy. This includes oversight and execution of safety programs, ensuring regulatory compliance, integrating safety considerations into capital projects and taking a proactive approach to risk identification and mitigation. This role is pivotal in driving a proactive safety culture across all levels of the organization. The role also involves driving continuous improvement initiatives, influencing safety performance through data analysis, and collaborating with key stakeholders including operations, to align safety goals with business objectives.

What You’ll Do:

1. Safety Program Development & Management:

• Participate in the development, implementation, and maintenance of safety policies, procedures, and standards. Train plant personnel on all policy, procedures, and standards.
• Conduct regular safety audits, inspections, safety meetings and risk assessments.
• Develop and maintain site specific emergency response and incident management plans.

2. Compliance & Regulatory Oversight:

• Strong knowledge of OSHA and EPA laws and compliance, Massachusetts OSHA and MASSDEP, ISO standards and other industry-specific regulations.
• Manage the environmental program to ensure compliance with State (MASSDEP)and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory requirements.
• Stay current on industry-specific safety legislation and standards.

3. Capital development and project safety

• Collaborate with project managers, engineers and contractors to ensure safety is integrated into capital development projects.
• Support safety reviews for design and construction phases of new facilities or equipment installations.
• Evaluate potential hazards associated with new equipment, processes, and layouts.
• Participate in pre-start safety reviews and commissioning processes.

4. Training & Development:

• Manage and facilitate plant safety education programs by conducting new hire orientations, ensuring all necessary regulatory and Company safety management programs are reviewed; administering safety training presentations covering OSHA/EPA/ISO compliance, the Company’s EHSS Standards, and cultural/behavioral change processes.
• Lead toolbox talks, safety meetings, and awareness campaigns.
• Investigate workplace accidents, near-misses, and injuries.
• Identify root causes and recommend corrective actions.
• Maintain incident records in ZHMS and track trends for continuous improvement.
• Create safety alerts which aid in communicating incidents to sister facilities to educate them on facility design or procedure changes.

6. Safety Culture Leadership:

• Promote a culture of safety through active leadership and engagement.
• Coach Department Managers and Supervisors on trends identified in order to improve engagement in the safety process.
• Collaborate with management and employees to drive safety initiatives.
• Recognize and reward employees for safety achievements.
• Lead safety improvement projects focused on risk reduction.
• Implement and track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety.
• Analyze data from incident history, behavioral observations, hazard reports, and plant audits to identify plant performance trends to determine and create plant performance improvement strategies.

8. Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by plant management to support business objectives and plant operations.

What You’ll Bring:

• 5-7 years’ experience in an environmental, safety, and health role within a manufacturing environment
• Experience with environmental compliance (air permits, waste water/storm water, RCRA)
• Experience in managing the EHS aspects of a capital project including risk assessments, safety planning and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Proven track record of managing environmental and safety programs and reducing incidents

Other Skills:

• Sound problem-solving and incident investigation skills.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills to drive safety initiatives, inspire engagement and promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to foster partnerships with cross-functional teams to ensure safety compliance.
• Strong critical thinking skills to analyze situations, assess risks, and develop effective, proactive solutions.
• Strong communication and training delivery skills.
• Proficiency in safety management software and reporting tools.

What You’ll Receive:

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is $80k to $100k. Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience, skills, geography and internal equity and may change over time. This position qualifies for benefits and you will be eligible to participate in a bonus plan.

At James Hardie, we recognize that our success depends on our people. We've worked hard to build a generous and competitive benefits program that demonstrates our commitment to our employees.

• Compensation: competitive salary and bonus eligibility
• Paid Time Off: vacation and company holidays
• Retirement: 401(k) with 6% match
• Investments: Employee Stock Purchase plan (ESP)
• Work-Life Balance: parental leave, wellness programs

James Hardie Building Products Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or any other basis protected by law.

James Hardie will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies.

The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.