EHS Manager

Job Summary The Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining environmental, health, safety, and regulatory compliance programs that protect employees, facilities, the community, and the environment. This position serves as the subject matter expert for OSHA, EPA, NJDEP, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations while promoting a proactive safety culture throughout the organization.

The EHS Manager provides both strategic and hands-on leadership for environmental compliance, occupational health, and workplace safety programs across the facility. The role manages and develops the EHS Specialist and serves as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies, auditors, and internal stakeholders.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises one EHS Specialist.
• Provides leadership, coaching, training, performance management, and professional development for direct reports.
• Oversees EHS consultants, contractors, and third-party service providers, as needed.
• Leads safety committees and cross-functional teams focused on environmental compliance and workplace safety initiatives.
• Partners with department managers and supervisors to ensure consistent implementation and enforcement of EHS programs.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities Environmental Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulations, including EPA and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) requirements.

• Manage environmental permits, reporting requirements, and regulatory submissions.

• Oversee compliance programs related to:

• Air permits and air emissions reporting

• Hazardous waste generation, storage, and disposal

• Stormwater management and permitting

• Wastewater compliance, where applicable

• Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) programs

• Community Right-to-Know (RTK) requirements

• Serve as the primary point of contact during NJDEP, EPA, and other regulatory inspections and audits.

• Maintain environmental records, permits, certifications, and compliance documentation.

• Lead waste reduction, recycling, pollution prevention, and sustainability initiatives.

• Conduct environmental inspections and assessments to identify risks and recommend corrective actions.

Health & Safety Leadership

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve company-wide safety and health programs.

• Promote and champion a strong safety-first culture throughout the organization.

• Provide visible leadership on the production floor through employee engagement, hazard identification, risk reduction, and continuous improvement activities.

• Conduct routine safety inspections, audits, and risk assessments to identify hazards and ensure compliance.

• Lead incident investigations, root cause analyses, corrective actions, and preventive measures.

• Monitor and evaluate workplace conditions to reduce occupational injuries and illnesses.

• Ensure compliance with all OSHA regulations, including OSHA 29 CFR 1910 General Industry Standards.

• Manage and maintain programs including:

• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)

• Machine Guarding

• Hazard Communication

• Respiratory Protection

• Hearing Conservation

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Powered Industrial Trucks

• Hot Work

• Fall Protection

• Confined Space Entry

• Contractor Safety Management

• Coordinate emergency response planning, drills, and preparedness activities.

• Maintain OSHA logs, injury reporting, and workers' compensation documentation.

Training & Employee Development

• Develop and deliver EHS training programs for employees, supervisors, and management.
• Ensure employee compliance with required safety and environmental training.
• Facilitate new hire safety orientation and ongoing compliance training programs.
• Support employee engagement through safety observations, safety committees, and awareness initiatives.

Compliance, Audits & Continuous Improvement

• Lead internal and external EHS audits.
• Track corrective actions and ensure timely completion.
• Develop EHS metrics, scorecards, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual EHS reports for leadership.
• Evaluate new regulations and recommend operational changes as necessary.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop and execute continuous improvement initiatives that reduce risk and enhance compliance.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to environmental stewardship and workplace safety excellence.
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and NJDEP regulations.
• Experience implementing EHS programs within a manufacturing, industrial, or heavy manufacturing environment.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to influence workplace behaviors and drive a positive safety culture.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong project management and regulatory compliance experience.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, or related field required.

• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive EHS experience within a manufacturing or industrial environment.

• Experience supporting environmental permitting and regulatory compliance activities required.

• Experience within forging, metalworking, machining, aerospace, defense, or heavy manufacturing environments preferred.

• Professional certifications preferred:

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

• Associate Safety Professional (ASP)

• Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST)

• Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)

Required Knowledge & Skills

• OSHA 29 CFR 1910 General Industry Standards.
• NJDEP environmental regulations and reporting requirements.
• EPA regulations and environmental compliance programs.
• Hazardous waste management and RCRA requirements.
• Air permitting and emissions compliance.
• Industrial hygiene principles.
• Risk assessment and hazard recognition techniques.
• Incident investigation and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Emergency preparedness and response planning.
• Workers' compensation and injury management processes.
• Strong technical writing and regulatory reporting skills.

Key Competencies

• Safety Leadership
• Environmental Compliance & Sustainability
• Regulatory Affairs Management
• Risk Assessment & Mitigation
• Incident Investigation
• Training & Development
• Employee Engagement
• Continuous Improvement
• Project Management
• Decision Making & Accountability
• Attention to Detail
• Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work Environment Work is performed in both office and manufacturing environments. Regular exposure to industrial conditions including moving machinery, elevated noise levels, dust, fumes, heat, chemicals, hazardous materials, and varying temperatures is expected. The EHS Manager must routinely access production areas to conduct inspections, audits, investigations, training, and compliance activities.

All employees are required to follow company safety policies and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, hard hats, metatarsal safety footwear, and other PPE as required.

Physical Demands The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Frequent walking throughout manufacturing and warehouse areas.
• Ability to stand, climb, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach.
• Ability to conduct inspections in production environments.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 35 pounds.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including respiratory protection, when necessary.
• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods as required.

Additional Requirements

• First Aid and CPR certification or ability to obtain certification upon hire.
• Ability to attend external EHS training, seminars, and professional development programs.
• Must be available to support off-shift operations, emergency response activities, and occasional weekend work as necessary.