HSSE Manager

Openwork, formerly Meador Staffing Services; La Porte (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Openwork seeks an experienced HSSE leader to provide strategic direction and field leadership for environmental, health, safety, security and PSM programs in a chemical plant or refinery setting. This role is hands-on, highly visible in the plant, collaborating with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering and Leadership to embed a world-class safety culture.

You will lead OSHA PSM elements, MOC, PHA and RCA programs, manage environmental permits and reporting, oversee contractor safety, and support

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of HSSE leadership in chemical manufacturing or similar high-hazard industries.
• Extensive plant-floor leadership with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering and Reliability.
• Expert-level knowledge of OSHA PSM (29 CFR 1910.119).
• Deep understanding of all 14 OSHA PSM elements.
• Experience administering MOC programs within a PSM facility.
• Experience leading PHA, RCA, incidents and corrective actions.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA/EPA environmental requirements and permitting.
• Experience with regulatory inspections and agency interactions.
• Proven ability to foster a proactive safety culture.
• Experience supporting turnarounds, capital projects, and contractor safety.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for HSSE, including safety, health, security and environmental programs.
• Serve as SME on PSM and MOC and ensure effective implementation.
• Ensure OSHA/EPA/regulatory compliance across site operations.
• Lead and improve all 14 elements of OSHA PSM.
• Own the MOC process with reviews, hazard analyses and training.
• Lead PHA, LOPA, risk assessments and related initiatives.
• Conduct field safety observations, audits, and coaching.
• Lead incident investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement to reduce risk and improve performance.
• Develop environmental compliance programs and reporting.
• Lead emergency response planning and drills.
• Oversee contractor safety programs and qualification processes.
• Support capital projects by integrating safety and environmental requirements.
• Set HSSE objectives, budgets, metrics and report to senior leadership.
• Engage with regulatory agencies, consultants and responders.
• Mentor HSSE professionals and foster accountability.

Skills

HSSE leadership

Regulatory compliance

Incident investigation

Process Safety Management

Management of Change

PHA / RCA

Contractor safety management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Occupational Safety

Job description

Senior Manager – Health, Safety, Security & Environmental (HSSE)

Open due to growth!

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced, hands‑on HSSE leader to provide strategic direction and day‑to‑day leadership for environmental, health, safety, security, and Process Safety Management (PSM) programs within a complex chemical manufacturing or refining environment.

This is not a corporate office position. The successful candidate will be highly visible in the field, partnering closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Leadership to drive a world‑class safety culture, ensure regulatory compliance, improve operational reliability, and support capital projects. This individual must be equally comfortable leading executive‑level initiatives and spending significant time in the plant mentoring employees, conducting field audits, and solving operational challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for all Health, Safety, Security, Environmental, and Process Safety Management (PSM) programs.
• Serve as the organization’s subject matter expert on Process Safety Management and Management of Change (MOC).
• Ensure full compliance with OSHA, EPA, state environmental agencies, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Lead and continuously improve all 14 elements of OSHA Process Safety Management.
• Own and administer the site’s Management of Change (MOC) process, ensuring technical reviews, hazard analyses, approvals, documentation, training, and implementation are completed effectively.
• Lead Process Hazard Analyses (PHA), Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA), risk assessments, and other process safety initiatives.
• Conduct field safety observations, audits, inspections, and coaching to reinforce safe work practices and regulatory compliance.
• Lead incident investigations utilizing Root Cause Analysis methodologies and ensure corrective actions are effectively implemented.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing risk and strengthening operational performance.
• Develop and maintain environmental compliance programs including permitting, emissions reporting, spill prevention, groundwater monitoring, waste management, and environmental reporting.
• Lead emergency response planning, crisis management, spill response preparedness, and emergency drills.
• Oversee contractor safety programs, contractor qualification processes, and contractor performance during maintenance and capital projects.
• Support engineering and operations throughout capital projects by integrating safety and environmental requirements into project execution.
• Develop annual HSSE objectives, budgets, and performance metrics while presenting results and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Build productive relationships with regulatory agencies, consultants, emergency responders, and industry organizations.
• Mentor, coach, and develop HSSE professionals while promoting accountability and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Required Experience

Candidates must possess significant hands‑on HSSE leadership experience within a chemical manufacturing plant, refinery, petrochemical facility, or similarly regulated continuous process manufacturing environment.

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive HSSE leadership experience in chemical manufacturing, refining, petrochemical processing, or comparable high‑hazard process industries.
• Extensive plant‑floor leadership experience working directly with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Reliability teams.
• Expert‑level knowledge of OSHA Process Safety Management (29 CFR 1910.119).
• Thorough understanding and practical application of all 14 OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) elements.
• Demonstrated expertise leading and administering Management of Change (MOC) programs within a PSM‑regulated facility.
• Extensive experience leading Process Hazard Analyses (PHA), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), incident investigations, and corrective action programs.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, EPA requirements, environmental permitting, air compliance, waste management, and industrial safety programs.
• Experience leading regulatory inspections and successfully interacting with OSHA, EPA, and state environmental agencies.
• Proven success building a proactive, behavior‑based safety culture across manufacturing operations.
• Experience supporting turnaround activities, maintenance projects, and capital construction within an operating plant.
• Strong contractor safety management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or a related technical discipline.
• Professional certifications such as CSP, CIH, ASP, CHMM, or equivalent are highly desirable.
• Experience with PSM‑covered processes involving flammable or hazardous chemicals.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies including Root Cause Analysis, Human Performance, and Behavior‑Based Safety.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a respected HSSE leader who has built their career inside a chemical plant or refinery, understands the realities of daily operations, and has earned credibility by being visible, engaged, and technically strong. This individual is recognized as an expert in Process Safety Management, Management of Change, and regulatory compliance, while also possessing the leadership skills to influence culture, mentor employees, and partner effectively with operations to improve both safety and business performance.