Environment, Health and Safety Manager

We are partnering with a growing, multi-site manufacturing organization seeking an experienced Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Manager to lead site-level safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance programs within a batch-processing environment.

This opportunity is well suited for an EHS leader from specialty chemical, personal care ingredient, flavor & fragrance, or related high-hazard manufacturing backgrounds who thrives in regulated production settings.

The EHS Manager will serve as the site subject matter expert and regulatory point of contact, partnering closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and Leadership to foster a strong, proactive safety and compliance culture.

• Lead and manage all site Environmental, Health & Safety programs.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and state/local regulatory requirements.
• Support and maintain Process Safety Management (PSM) elements where applicable.
• Oversee hazardous waste management (RCRA), air permitting (Title V), wastewater (NPDES), and environmental reporting (TRI, Tier II, EPCRA).
• Serve as primary contact during regulatory inspections and third-party audits.
• Conduct risk assessments, PHAs, and incident investigations (including root cause analysis).
• Develop and deliver safety and compliance training for employees and contractors.
• Manage emergency response planning and drills (chemical spills, fire, environmental releases).
• Partner with plant leadership to embed a strong safety-first culture across operations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to safety performance, environmental impact, and compliance maturity.
• Support or maintain ISO 14001 / ISO 45001 or Responsible Care-aligned systems (as applicable).

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Safety, Chemical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 5–15+ years of progressive EHS experience within:
• Specialty chemical manufacturing
• Flavor & fragrance manufacturing
• Personal care or cosmetic ingredient production
• Food ingredient or batch-processing environments
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and PSM standards.
• Experience in batch manufacturing operations preferred.
• Familiarity with ISO management systems (ISO 14001 / ISO 45001) or Responsible Care frameworks.
• Demonstrated success leading audits, regulatory inspections, and enforcement resolution.
• Experience managing hazardous waste programs and environmental permitting.
• Professional certifications (CSP, CIH, CHMM) are a plus.

• Hands-on EHS leader comfortable working directly on the plant floor.
• Strong communicator capable of influencing operators, supervisors, and executive leadership.
• Experience supporting multi-site operations is a plus.
• Ability to balance regulatory rigor with practical, production-focused solutions.
• Someone seeking long-term stability within a growing manufacturing organization.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Opportunity for career growth within a stable, expanding manufacturing business.

If you are an experienced EHS professional from chemical, flavor, fragrance, personal care, or related batch manufacturing environments and are looking for your next leadership opportunity in the Chicago area, we welcome a confidential conversation.