Manager, Environmental Health & Safety - DeKalb, IL

VetJobs; DeKalb (IL); On-site; USD 102,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

Ferrara in DeKalb, IL seeks an Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Manager to lead safety and environmental programs across the facility. The role integrates EHS into operations and drives continuous improvement with senior leadership support.

You will oversee OSHA/EPA compliance, develop best-in-class programs, coach teams, and improve safety metrics while coordinating with engineering and quality on change management and risk reduction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Occupational Safety, Environmental Sciences or related field.
• 5–10 years of experience in safety and environmentally conscious manufacturing.
• Minimum of 5 years coordinating EHS sustainability activities in manufacturing.
• Extensive knowledge of OSHA, EPA and regulatory procedures.
• EHS-related certifications (CSHO, WSO, OSHT, CET, CHMM, ASP, CSP) a plus.
• Ability to travel (5–10%).

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and standards.
• Manage, coach, and develop EHS specialists; serve as subject matter expert for OSHA PSM and EPA RMP.
• Provide visibility on safety performance using leading and lagging measures.
• Develop and implement EHS programs to promote safe practices and engagement.
• Lead incident investigations and CAPA reporting across manufacturing sites.
• Collaborate with engineering and quality teams on change control and safety standards.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Effective communication

Leadership

Decision making

Attention to detail

Presentation skills

Budget management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Safety or related field

Job description

Job Description

Our organization works with partner companies to source qualified talent for their open roles. The following position is available to

• Veterans
• Transitioning Military
• National Guard and Reserve Members
• Military Spouses
• Wounded Warriors
• and their Caregivers

Unless specifically stated otherwise, this role is “On-Site” at the location detailed in the job post.

Due to the highly interactive nature of this manufacturing position, in-person attendance and flexibility are essential for supporting production schedules, effective communication and collaboration, real-time problem solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives. Schedules may vary and are subject to change.

Want to make an impact?

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Manager manages the Environmental, Health, Safety and Security team across the facility ensuring compliance with all federal, state and local regulations, standards, procedures and company policies. Responsible for full integration of safety and environmental management systems into the operation and will work as a part of the Senior Leadership Team to ensure the facility safety and environmental goals are met. The EHS Manager provides collaborative, proactive, and creative problem-solving ability to develop best-in-class EHS programs for the continuous improvement of the overall EHS strategy.

Ways you will make a difference

• Provide the leadership, direction, and support necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations and standards to meet or exceed relevant internal and external safety & environmental standards in a manner consistent with sound business practices
• Manage, coach, and develop EHS Specialist Serve as a subject matter expert for OSHA PSM (Process Safety Management) and EPA RMP (Risk Management Plan) programs
• Provide visibility of safety, health, and environmental progress, performance in both leading and lagging measures of the EHS program
• Develop and implement EHS programs that promote safe work practices, employee engagement, and metrics improvement
• Contribute to the development, maintenance and reporting of PSM, RMP, Wastewater, Solid Waste, Hazardous Waste, Universal Waste, Used Oil, and Storm water programs
• Educate, train, coach, and provide support to operations in the development and execution of consistent safety and environmental management programs
• Work with the Engineering and Quality teams as a collaborative partner to identify, address and review all aspects of the PRP (Project Review Process) for installation of new equipment and the MOC (Management of Change) process for changes to existing process and equipment to assure proper safety standards and requirements are met and being applied
• Execute, measure, and monitor process to assess the overall safety and environmental performance and identifies opportunities for improvement
• Perform risk assessments and assist in the implementation of effective physical and/or behavioral control measures Identify unsafe equipment operation and conditions while demonstrating knowledge of appropriate corrective action for unsafe conditions or equipment use
• Collaborate with other facilities in effort to facilitate EHS knowledge and share opportunities (e.g., risks, best practices, common audit findings, lessons learned); foster peer communication and interaction between groups
• Oversee regulatory compliance audits/inspections and associated record keeping Review incident and injury reporting and analyzes data to identify trends
• Lead and ensure thorough investigation of all incidents, in coordination with site leadership
• Foster a culture where everyone is actively engaged in performing their work in a safe manner and workers hold each other accountable to prevent at-risk behaviors
• Provide leadership and direction in the development, and oversight of EHS compliance and continuous improvement program elements to identify opportunities for risk reduction
• Oversee incident investigation and preparation of CAPA reports for prevention of recurring incidents across multiple manufacturing sites
• Develop programs to reduce worker’s compensation, recordable injury and lost time injury rates
• Apply ergonomic principles and recommend improvements with engineering or administrative controls
• Understand biomechanics and human interaction/impact with machinery and workstations
• Provide leadership and support for site security
• Engage in sustainability projects and activities

Additional Qualifications and Responsibilities

Skills that will make you successful

• Demonstrated ability to build strong cross-functional teams across all levels capable of delivering desired results with respect, tact, and win-win outcomes
• Ability to communicate effectively and influence across a diverse range of employees, from corporate and/or divisional leadership to the site employees
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong demonstrated leadership, interpersonal, and self-initiative skills
• Decision-making; must be capable of making well-informed decisions in both routine and emergency situations
• Excellent written and oral communication skills are required along with the ability able to communicate with audiences that have a broad range of background and understanding
• High attention to detail
• Strong presentation skills; ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization
• Requires the ability to effectively manage personnel and budget to meet targeted objectives
• Knowledge of manufacturing practices and processes
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate performance metrics and outcomes

Experiences that will support your success

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Occupational Safety, Environmental Sciences or related field, or a combination of education and experience related to the position
• Demonstrated 5-10 years of experience working in a safety and environmentally conscious manufacturing environment
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in successfully coordinating EHS sustainability activities in a manufacturing setting
• Extensive working and detailed knowledge of OSHA, EPA and regulatory compliance inspection procedures and safety standards
• Strong technical expertise in manufacturing safety and knowledge of safety processes
• An EHS-related certification such as (CSHO, WSO, OSHT, CET, CHMM, ASP, CSP) a plus
• Prior experience with Process Safety Management and Risk Management programs preferred
• Knowledge of Management Systems (i.e. ISO 14001,18001, 45001, VPP, SMS)
• Understanding of fire codes, standards, and regulations (NFPA)
• Ability to travel (5-10%)

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we’re proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $102,075-142,905 annually

Auto req ID 485264BR

Minimum Education Required High School/GED

City DeKalb

State Illinois

Job Code Manufacturing Manufacturing

Affiliate Sponsor Ferrara

Salary Range >$100,000