Senior Director, Global Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS)

Colgate; Piscataway Township (NJ); Hybrid; USD 195,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Parental leave

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive is seeking a Senior Director, Global Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) to lead the company’s worldwide EHS strategy and programs. The role balances visionary, long-term planning with rigorous operational execution across the end-to-end supply chain.

You will drive global EHS performance, manage a comprehensive portfolio including environmental compliance, SIF prevention, and Health & Organizational Performance, and partner with engineering to evolve automation safety and

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering, Environmental Science, Occupational Health, Technology, or Sustainability Management.
• Minimum of 15+ years of progressive EHS leadership experience in large-scale manufacturing or supply chain environments.
• Extensive knowledge of US (OSHA, EPA, DOT)/state EHS regulations
• Proven ability to lead and drive performance across cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders across diverse regions
• Proven track record navigating complex regulatory frameworks in Latin America, Europe/EMEA, and Asia.
• Expert-level knowledge of EHS digital management systems (e.g., Benchmark-Gensuite).

Responsibilities

• Champion the Global EHS Strategy and leadership engagement at all levels.
• Direct the global execution of the EHS transformation through a 2030 Moonshot strategy and SIF prevention.
• Oversee global EHS compliance frameworks and regulatory inquiries.
• Lead environmental strategy execution, including waste reduction and True Zero Waste programs.
• Institutionalize SIF prevention strategies and AI-driven controls.
• Drive Zero Harm and IH/OH programs with measurable targets.
• Lead pandemic preparedness and Health Incident Management.
• Align with Engineering on transformative technologies and automation safety.
• Be the regulatory liaison on occupational and environmental risks.
• Champion a Speak Up culture and embed HOP as an OPEX principle across the org.
• Oversee global EHS and Sustainability digital systems and reporting.

Skills

EHS leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory navigation

EHS digital systems

Education

BS in Engineering or Environmental Science

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Benchmark-Gensuite

Job description

Senior Director, Global Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS)

Travel Required: 25% of time

Hybrid

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country

Job Number#174388 – Piscataway, New Jersey, United States

Established in 1806 as a small soap and candle business in New York City, Colgate-Palmolive is now a truly global company with products sold in over 200 countries and territories under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, elmex, Tom's of Maine, Sanex, Ajax, Axion, Soupline, Haci Sakir, Suavitel, PCA SKIN, EltaMD, Filorga and Hello as well as Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet.

Colgate-Palmolive is a leading consumer products company that serves hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide with brands and products across four core businesses – Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. We are committed to offering products that make lives healthier and more enjoyable, and programs that enrich communities around the world.

Every day millions of people trust our products to care for themselves and the ones they love. Our goal is to use our technology to create products that will continue to improve the quality of life for our consumers wherever they live.

A career at Colgate-Palmolive is an excellent opportunity if you seek a global experience, constant challenge, and development opportunities in an environment that respects work/life effectiveness.

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

As the Senior Director, Environmental, Health & Safety, you will report to the EVP, Global Manufacturing Strategies & E2E Engineering and provide strategic leadership and tactical oversight for Colgate-Palmolive's global Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs across the end-to-end supply chain. Guided by our mission to protect our People, the Planet, and our Brand, this role balances visionary long‑term strategy—including Colgate's EHS 2030 Moonshot with rigorous operational excellence. The Sr. Director is responsible for a comprehensive portfolio spanning environmental compliance, industrial hygiene, SIF prevention, and Human & Organizational Performance (HOP). As a global subject matter expert, you will leverage advanced AI and digital technologies to mitigate risk and drive world‑class EHS performance.

Responsibilities:

• Champion the Global EHS Strategy - Excel at Fundamentals, Control Critical Risks, Leadership & Engagement at all Levels .

• Direct the global execution of the EHS transformation through a 2030 Moonshot strategy, focusing on Ambition Zero (accidents and SIF incidents), SIF prevention, and sustainability, while serving as a bridge between high-level strategic goals and tactical plant-level execution.

• Oversee global EHS compliance frameworks - including Company Standards, compliance auditing (EHS, PSM, Electrical), external interface, and supporting regulatory and legislative inquiries

• Lead environmental strategy execution - including standards for waste reduction, the "True Zero Waste" program, and rigorous environmental due diligence for property transactions and M&A activities.

• Institutionalize SIF prevention strategies using the ASTM E2920 standard and implement advanced technical controls for high-risk areas, including AI-driven/evolving machine guarding controls and FLT collision avoidance systems.

• Drive Zero Harm and IH/Occ Health programs - No mandatory respirator use, reducing mandatory hearing protection use to < 25%, no high risk ergonomic tasks, no high risk elevated temperature risks.

• Lead pandemic preparedness program, maintain Health Incident Management Plan. Track global infectious disease outbreaks.

• Align w/Engineering on transformative technologies while ensuring appropriate controls/redundancies and protective measures as we evolve and execute our automation strategy.

• Be the GSC link to Regulatory and Product Safety on occupational and environmental chemical risks and evolving legislation.

• Champion a "Speak Up" culture and drive engagement by embedding Human & Organizational Performance (HOP) as an Operational Excellence (OPEX) principle across the organization.

• Oversee global EHS & Sustainability digital systems, generating internal and external reports as required.

Required Qualifications:

• BS in Engineering, Environmental Science, Occupational Health, Technology, or Sustainability Management.

• Minimum of 15+ years of progressive EHS leadership experience in large-scale manufacturing or supply chain environments.

• Extensive knowledge of US (OSHA, EPA, DOT)/state EHS regulations

• A proven track record of navigating complex regulatory frameworks in Latin America, Europe/EMEA, and Asia.

• Proven ability to lead and drive performance across cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders across diverse regions

• Expert-level knowledge of EHS digital management systems (e.g., Benchmark-Gensuite).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related technical or management field.

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH).

• Deep expertise in Human & Organizational Performance (HOP), Operational Excellence (OPEX), and the Hierarchy of Controls.

• Understanding of ASTM (American Society of Testing Materials) E2920 standard and global EHS and sustainability reporting requirements

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $195,200 - $250,000 USD

Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long‑term incentives for Executive‑level roles.

Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.