EHS Manager

Location and Employment Details

Location: Albert Lea, MN, US, 56007

Employment Type: Salaried

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Responsible for the overall support, strategy, and development of the EHS functions of Ventura Foods operations. Requires extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals, familiarity with standard chemical industry concepts, practices, procedures, and processes, and the ability to manage, communicate, and facilitate company safety & health goals across Ventura Foods sites. Oversees overall safety and health management systems and programs.

• Ensure compliance with and improvement of EHS programs that meet federal, state, and local regulatory requirements including chemical safety, confined space entry, electrical safety, contractor EHS management, industrial hygiene, LOTO, PPE, PSM, ergonomics, stormwater pollution prevention, hazardous waste management, air emissions management, and wastewater treatment.
• Provide guidance and technical expertise on EHS regulatory requirements, keeping local management informed of legislative updates and required actions. Develop and implement plans, programs, processes, and documented procedures for incident‑free operations and risk reduction. Identify trends in incidents and near‑miss reports, and ensure root‑cause actions are completed.
• Oversee and enhance the incident investigation process and lessons learned. Maintain the site EHS management system with current, accurate information, integrating OSHA 18001 and ISO 14001 principles into the system.
• Act as an active member of the plant management team, participating in committee meetings. Work with site leadership to develop and maintain waste‑minimization efforts and spill‑prevention practices. Identify and conduct EHS‑related training. Coach, develop, manage, and appraise EHS team members.
• Oversee and enhance behavior‑based safety processes, promoting concepts and teaching. Develop and assist in implementing security guidelines. Provide technical and regulatory input to proposed capital projects and facilities expansions, including property protection recommendations. Function across multiple business units to align EHS goals, objectives, planning, and execution with global strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all Food Safety policies, procedures, and regulatory criteria, including the current SQF code, Good Manufacturing Practices, and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and associated Preventive Controls.

• High School Diploma or equivalent required;
  Bachelor’s degree (B.S. or B.A.) in Engineering, Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field preferred, or a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a manufacturing environment with demonstrated responsibility for improving safety performance and regulatory compliance.
• Extensive knowledge of Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) management systems and processes.
• Professional certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) and/or the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) is strongly preferred.
• Proven experience in process safety management (PSM), EHS program development and culture improvement, behavior‑based safety, safety training, waste minimization, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills required.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization.

• Maintains strong leadership skills.
• Prepares and carefully reviews instructions, reports, and other documents to ensure internal consistency and clarity.
• Communicates ideas, instructions, and information clearly in both formal and informal face‑to‑face settings.
• Produces well‑composed memos, reports, and instructions with a professional tone.
• Understands PC operations such as operating systems, common spreadsheets, and word‑processing software.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to others’ needs; tactful and helpful orientation; team player.
• Listens actively to bring site issues to attention and seeks resolution.
• Analyzes…