Safety Manager

Leslie's; East St. Louis (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Health Savings Account (HSA)

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Leslie’s is seeking a Safety Manager at Stellar Manufacturing’s Illinois facility to lead the EHS program, ensure compliance with OSHA/EPA, and foster a proactive safety culture. The role partners with operations, maintenance, HR, and leadership to advance continuous safety improvements.

You will oversee the EHS management system, develop hazard controls, manage documentation, and drive ISO45001/14001 readiness while supporting contractor safety and emergency planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• 3–5+ years of experience in manufacturing safety or EHS roles.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Experience implementing safety systems and processes.
• Professional certifications such as CSP, CHMM, or OSHA 30 preferred.

Responsibilities

• Safety Leadership — develop and implement a comprehensive safety strategy.
• EHS Management System — oversee and improve the facility’s safety system and compliance.
• Process Safety & Standardization — maintain standardized safety processes and procedures.
• Contractor & Supplier Safety — ensure safety requirements for contractors and partners.
• Incident Response & Investigation — lead investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Training & Employee Engagement — deliver safety training and promote engagement.

Skills

Communication skills

Oxidizer chemistry knowledge

Statistical analysis

Excel proficiency

Document control

Safety systems implementation

SAP experience

Leadership

Problem solving

Influence teams

Education

Bachelor’s in Safety/Env Health

Tools

SAP

Job description

In September 2022, Stellar Manufacturing was acquired by Leslie's as an affiliate. Stellar Manufacturing is a contract manufacturer of solid particle products and specializes in chemical processing services such as specialty tableting, compaction granulation, and granular filling. We support the manufacturing of a variety of consumer and industrial products including water treatment chemicals, janitorial and sanitation products, agrochemicals, raw materials, and more. With over 30 years of providing best-in-class products and solutions to our customers, there is nothing that we value more than the development and growth of our team. Both Leslie's and Stellar strive to create a positive and fun atmosphere where our Team Members feel valued and are enthusiastic about the contributions they make to the success of Stellar.

Job Overview

The Safety Manager oversees all environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs within the manufacturing facility. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, reduces workplace risks, and builds a proactive safety culture. The Safety Manager partners closely with operations, maintenance, HR, and leadership to drive continuous improvement in safety performance.

Compensation Range

$90,000 - $135,000

Compensation within range to be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge and skills, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Responsibilities

• Safety Leadership — Develop and integrate a comprehensive safety strategy that embeds safe behaviors, hazard awareness, and accountability into the Stellar Manufacturing culture. Lead programmatic, observational, and behavioral safety initiatives through cross‑functional collaboration.
• EHS Management System — Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the facility’s EHS management system. Ensure alignment with OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and company requirements. Manage safety documentation, policies, procedures, and compliance reporting. Establish and track safety metrics that support behavioral and regulatory goals. Responsibility to achieve ISO45001 for SMS and 14001 for environmental certification
• Process Safety & Standardization — Develop and maintain standardized safety processes, including SOPs, hazard assessments, chemical handling protocols, equipment safety procedures, lockout/tagout, incident reporting, and corrective action systems. Collaborate closely with operations, engineering, supply chain, and maintenance.
• Contractor & Supplier Safety — Ensure contractors and suppliers adhere to facility safety requirements. Oversee contractor onboarding, job hazard analyses, and compliance with site safety rules. Partner with supply chain and external partners to maintain consistent safety expectations.
• Incident Response & Investigation — Lead investigations for accidents, near‑misses, and unsafe conditions. Conduct root‑cause analysis, develop corrective actions, and verify implementation. Maintain accurate incident records and communicate findings across the organization.
• Training & Employee Engagement — Deliver and coordinate safety training programs, including onboarding, annual refreshers, chemical safety, PPE use, emergency response, and equipment‑specific training. Promote employee involvement through safety committees, audits, and recognition programs.
• Regulatory Compliance — Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, DOT, and other regulatory bodies. Prepare for inspections, maintain required documentation, and manage corrective actions.
• Emergency Preparedness — Maintain emergency response plans, evacuation procedures, spill response protocols, and coordination with local authorities. Conduct drills and ensure readiness.
• Internal Collaboration — Partner with managers, supervisors, and associates to identify safety risks, develop measurement systems, and implement continuous improvement methodologies.
• Additional Responsibilities — Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Safety Department Leadership — Directly supervise employees within the Safety department.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, planning, assigning work, evaluating performance, rewarding, disciplining, and resolving employee concerns.

Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of oxidizer chemistry and acid‑base reactions (critical for chemical safety).
• Proficiency in statistical and quantitative analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with document control systems.
• Demonstrated ability to implement systems and processes within an organization.
• Direct experience working with employees, customers, or external partners on safety‑related issues.
• Familiarity with SAP or similar systems is a plus.
• Basic competence in subordinates’ duties and tasks.
• Versatility, flexibility, and enthusiasm for working within shifting priorities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health, Industrial Engineering, or related field (preferred).
• 3-5+ years of experience in manufacturing safety or EHS roles.
• Professional certifications such as CSP, CHMM, or OSHA 30 strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, hazard control methods, and industrial safety best practices.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to influence teams and drive safety initiatives in a fast‑paced environment.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, pharmacy, dental, & vision plan options.
• Health savings account (with enrollment in the high deductible health plan option).
• Health & dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance.
• Voluntary supplemental life insurance.
• Company-paid short-term disability and voluntary long-term disability insurance.
• Pre-tax and Roth 401(k) with company match.
• Paid vacation, sick, and bereavement leave.
• Paid holidays, including a floating personal day.
• Employee assistance and wellness programs.
• Earned Wage access isavailable, allowing early access to a portion of your earned wages before payday.
• Product discounts at Leslie’s Retail stores.

Company Culture

Leslie’s recognizes a critical component to our continued success is our people. Leslie’s is proud to have a culture of inclusion that seeks to celebrate and embrace the different backgrounds and perspectives that help drive our success and support team members in developing and growing with us. We aim to create a workplace where all team members feel welcomed and valued and inspire each other every day.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.