Director of EHS

Vaco is hiring for an EHS Director position in Afton, TN.
Direct Hire
Salary: /yr + Bonus

This position is responsible for defining and leading the execution of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) strategies and programs across U.S. business units. These strategies and programs are designed to support ESG goals by managing, mitigating, and, whenever possible, eliminating EHS risks to associates, business partners, and surrounding communities. Responsibilities include ensuring program and regulatory compliance, providing technical support, strategy development, and training assistance at all levels of the organization.

• Develop, communicate, and implement policies, programs, processes, and systems to ensure proactive EHS compliance, improve performance, and drive EHS values.
• Fulfill the role of an in-house expert by staying abreast of regulatory standards and ensuring that compliance processes relating to inspections, audits, and regulatory agency engagement are fully implemented.
• Advise on technical support, regulatory assistance, and training to all levels of the organization. Lead the development and deployment of organization-wide training on safety and environmental issues.
• Drive and monitor EHS success toward performance indicators and goals.
• Lead incident investigations including root cause analysis for corrective and preventative actions. Establish and monitor a consistent approach for reporting injuries and investigation results.
• Responsible for facility environmental, health, and safety audits. Analyze results and recommend corrective actions.
• Govern computer-based EHS management systems and applications. Oversee and promote use by business units and global partners for a consistent, simplified approach to compliance and cost savings.
• Serve as primary EHS representative for field organizations, corporate, and supplemental office staff.
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of worker's compensation laws and translate them into proactive processes and practices. Collaborate with Corporate Risk Management to reduce worker's compensation risks and costs.
• Lead and participate in sustainability initiatives and reporting. Respond to customer ESG/EHS surveys and audits.
• Oversee the application and reporting processes for environmental permitting and waste management at facilities to avoid violations and potential fines.
• Oversee and implement training and development opportunities for facility EHS personnel in conjunction with department manager. Assume responsibilities of facility EHS personnel in their absence or open positions.
• Establish an active exchange of best practices and other information between U.S. locations, business units, global partners, ownership stakeholders, and peers.
• Interface with plant EHS, corporate staff attorneys, employee relations, and compliance to develop programs and processes that meet multiple needs and governing disciplines, including due diligence and emerging issues.
• Consult with product leaders/attorneys on product safety initiatives when requested.
• Manage EHS due diligence for acquisition and divestiture initiatives.
• Perform special projects as assigned.

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• BS Degree in a technical field, preferably EHS (experience with certificate programs, seminars, and CEUs acceptable).
• MS in a technical discipline and/or an MBA preferred.
• Technical certifications, e.g., ISO 14001, CSP, PE preferred.

• 10+ years of applicable experience.
• Extensive knowledge of manufacturing processes along with Federal, State, and Local EHS regulatory compliance. Experience in all facets of EHS including specialized advanced training, regulatory interpretation, remedial investigation, property cleanup of contaminated materials, hazardous materials management, regulatory permitting, employee health and safety, and industrial hygiene. Proficiency in EHS legal matters, financial reporting, and risk management required.

• Mastery of Federal, state, and local safety, health, and environmental regulations and compliance.
• Proficient with standard business software applications.
• Strong organizational skills managing multiple ongoing projects.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Knowledge of basic chemical properties and attributes.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes with focus on EHS programs and interventions.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other…