HR /EHS Manager

HR/EHS Manager

Belton, South Carolina

Position Overview

A growing manufacturing company is seeking an HR/EHS Manager to support the startup and growth of its manufacturing operation in Belton, South Carolina. This is a combined Human Resources and Environmental, Health & Safety leadership role with an initial emphasis on plant safety, regulatory compliance, employee relations, and establishing the programs needed to support a growing workforce.

The HR/EHS Manager will be a visible, hands-on presence in the manufacturing environment and will work closely with plant leadership and employees to build a proactive safety culture, support recruiting and onboarding, manage employee relations, and establish practical HR and EHS processes as the operation grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead plant EHS programs, workplace inspections, OSHA compliance, recordkeeping, risk assessments, and corrective action activities.
• Establish and reinforce safe work practices in an equipment-intensive manufacturing environment, with particular focus on lockout/tagout, machine safety, PPE, Hazard Communication, hearing conservation, confined space, and SDS management.
• Coordinate and deliver required safety orientations, onboarding, and training for employees, contractors, and supervisors.
• Conduct or coordinate ergonomics assessments, respirator fit testing, hearing testing, baseline testing, CPR training, and other required occupational safety programs.
• Lead workplace injury and incident investigations, identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and manage workers' compensation claims and related documentation.
• Maintain OSHA, safety, employee, SDS/MSDS, training, and other required compliance records.
• Support recruiting, onboarding, new-hire setup, and workforce growth as the manufacturing operation ramps up.
• Partner with employees and management to address workplace concerns, conduct investigations, resolve conflicts, and support positive employee relations.
• Administer and support progressive discipline processes, including verbal and written warnings, suspensions, and other corrective actions in coordination with leadership and legal resources.
• Develop, maintain, and communicate employee handbooks, HR policies, safety procedures, and related documentation.
• Maintain working knowledge of ADA, HIPAA, OSHA, and other applicable employment and workplace safety requirements.
• Support employee health, wellness, engagement, and retention initiatives.
• As the organization grows, support the evaluation and administration of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, 401(k), and related offerings.
• Partner closely with the Plant Manager and company leadership to identify emerging people, safety, and compliance needs during startup and production ramp-up.
• Promote continuous improvement by identifying safety risks, process gaps, training needs, and opportunities to strengthen workplace practices before incidents occur.

Required Qualifications

• At least 5 years of progressive EHS, safety, HR/EHS, or related manufacturing experience; candidates with approximately 8-10 years of relevant experience are strongly preferred for the scope of this startup role.
• Demonstrated hands-on safety experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment, including regular presence on the plant floor.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and practical application of workplace safety programs.
• Experience with lockout/tagout, machine safety, hearing conservation, Hazard Communication, SDS, PPE, and other core industrial safety programs.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations, injury investigations, corrective actions, and/or workers' compensation administration.
• Experience supporting employee relations, progressive discipline, recruiting, onboarding, or other core HR responsibilities.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, investigative, organizational, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to work effectively with hourly employees, supervisors, managers, outside resources, and company leadership.
• Ability to operate effectively in a startup environment where priorities, processes, staffing, and responsibilities will continue to evolve.

Preferred Qualifications

• HR, EHS, safety, or occupational health certification.
• Experience helping establish EHS programs or HR processes in a plant startup, expansion, greenfield, brownfield, or major operational ramp-up.
• Experience in woodworking, millwork, furniture, cabinetry, lumber, or wood-products manufacturing; industry-specific experience is preferred but not required.
• Experience supporting high-speed cutting, milling, sawing, or other machine-intensive manufacturing operations.
• Working knowledge of ADA and HIPAA requirements.
• Experience developing employee handbooks, policies, training programs, and standardized procedures.
• Experience supporting employee benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, and related programs.

Leadership Profile

The successful HR/EHS Manager will be a hands-on plant leader who is comfortable spending time on the manufacturing floor rather than managing safety primarily from a desk. Safety experience is the priority for the initial stage of the operation, while the individual must also be capable of handling practical HR responsibilities and employee-relations matters.

This role requires someone who is proactive, approachable, and comfortable addressing issues directly. The HR/EHS Manager should be able to identify risks before they become incidents, communicate expectations clearly, conduct fair and thorough investigations, and build credibility with both employees and leadership.

Why This Opportunity

This is an opportunity to help establish the safety and people infrastructure of a new U.S. manufacturing operation from the beginning. The HR/EHS Manager will have direct involvement in building policies, training programs, onboarding practices, safety standards, employee-relations processes, and the culture that will support the plant as production and staffing expand.

The scope of the role is expected to evolve with the business. During startup, the position will lean more heavily toward EHS and plant safety; as the workforce grows, broader HR responsibilities, including benefits and employee programs, are expected to become a larger part of the position.