HSE Manager - University Park, IL

Location: University Park

Lead Where Safety Meets Execution

Verdant Specialty Solutions is seeking an HSE Manager to lead site health, safety, and environmental performance, driving a proactive safety culture through frontline engagement, behavior-based safety, and real-time risk management.

This is not a desk-based compliance role - success is measured by presence and influence in the field. This is a highly visible, plant-facing position where you will work side-by-side with operators, supervisors, and plant leadership to translate safety systems into daily behaviors that protect people, operations, and the environment.

If you are a hands-on safety leader who thrives in the field, influences without authority, and is passionate about building a culture where safe work is how work gets done, we want to talk to you.

Why This Role Is Different

* Frontline Impact: your presence on the plant floor directly shapes behaviors and reduces risk in real time

* Behavior Over Checklists: move beyond compliance to drive true safety ownership and accountability

* Operational Integration: safety is embedded in production-not separate from it

* Culture Builder: influence how employees think about and act on safety every day

* Real-Time Decision Making: identify, assess, and mitigate risks as operations happen

* System Ownership: ensure safety systems are effective, practical, and sustainable-not just documented

What You'll Do

Drive Behavioral Safety & Field Leadership

* Maintain a strong daily presence on the production floor engaging operators and supervisors

* Observe, coach, and reinforce safe behaviors in real time

* Intervene using a coaching-based approach to correct unsafe actions

* Build trust with frontline teams and promote a strong "stop work" culture

* Identify behavioral trends and address systemic risks

Lead Training & Workforce Development

* Design and deliver impactful safety training programs (monthly and as needed)

* Ensure training drives understanding and behavior change-not just compliance

* Coach supervisors to reinforce safety expectations across shifts

* Continuously improve training based on incidents and observations

Own Safety Systems & Risk Management

* Lead incident investigations with focus on root cause and human factors

* Drive near-miss reporting and learning culture

* Oversee job safety analysis and hazard identification processes

* Ensure effectiveness of critical systems:

* Permit to Work

* LOTO / Energy Isolation

* Confined Space

* Line Break / Process Safety

* Drive closure and sustainability of corrective actions

Ensure Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

* Maintain compliance with OSHA, EPA, and applicable state regulations

* Prepare and submit required reports (SARA, TRI, EPA, etc.)

* Serve as site contact for regulatory agencies

* Maintain permits and compliance systems

* Lead audits and support inspections

Integrate with Operations

* Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and Quality teams to align safety with execution

* Address risks created by production demands

* Support Management of Change (MOC) and capital project safety

* Participate in daily plant and leadership meetings

Drive Continuous Improvement

* Identify gaps in safety performance and systems

* Implement practical, sustainable improvements

* Eliminate low-value "check-the-box" activities

* Adapt corporate HSE initiatives to site-specific needs

What Sets You Apart

* Strong field presence and ability to influence at all levels

* Coaching mindset with ability to change behaviors-not just enforce rules

* Deep understanding of industrial safety and risk management

* Ability to balance regulatory compliance with operational realities

* Strong investigative and root cause analysis skills

* Effective communicator across frontline teams and leadership

* Independent, action-oriented problem solver

What You Bring

* Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology, or related field

* Minimum 3 years of experience in a chemical or industrial environment (7+ preferred)

* Strong knowledge of OSHA and EPA regulations

* Experience with environmental permitting and reporting

* Familiarity with process safety and industrial hygiene principles

* Experience with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 preferred

* Proven ability to lead safety initiatives in a plant environment

Work Environment

This role is based at our University Park, IL manufacturing facility and requires daily presence in the plant.

* Exposure to chemicals, noise, and industrial operations

* Required use of PPE

* Frequent walking, climbing stairs, and conducting field observations

* Participation in incident response and emergency situations

* Occasional travel (5-10%)

What You'll Get

* Competitive compensation and benefits

* High-impact leadership role with direct influence on plant safety culture

* Opportunity to shape and improve safety systems and behaviors

* Exposure to regulatory, operational, and corporate HSE initiatives

* A collaborative, plant-focused environment where your work matters every day

About Verdant

Verdant Specialty Solutions is a…