Environmental, Health, and Safety; EHS Lead - Battery Cell Development Center

The Role

The Environmental, Health, Safety (EHS) Lead provides direction and hands-on leadership for safety, compliance, and risk management at the Battery Cell Development Center (BCDC). This lead enables safe, reliable, and efficient development operations aligned to GM’s electrification strategy by driving robust EHS systems, electrification and chemical safety controls, and a strong culture of prevention. The role partners closely with Operations, Maintenance & Facilities, Engineering, and Workplace Safety to deliver measurable outcomes through disciplined governance, change management, and data-driven decision making.

Safety & Compliance Leadership

• Champion a proactive safety culture aligned with GM standards and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with campus Safety Operations to develop and implement all EHS systems and processes
• Own site-level EHS governance, including programs for OSHA compliance, hazardous materials/DG, PSM-applicable processes, contractor safety, and industrial hygiene.
• Lead incident investigations using rigorous root-cause problem solving; implement systemic corrective and preventive actions.
• Maintain audit readiness through routine audits/inspections, findings management, and closure verification.
• Ensure effective emergency preparedness and response (e.g., drills, ERT readiness, crisis management interfaces).

EV / High-Voltage & Critical Safety Controls

• Integrate EV and high-voltage requirements into site EHS systems; steward Electrical Safety, Hazardous Energy Control (LOTO), Fall Hazard Control, Chemical Control, and other life-safety critical controls.
• Partner with process/controls engineering to apply the hierarchy of controls, emphasizing elimination and engineered solutions for lithium-ion and development-scale hazards (thermal, chemical, electrical).

Risk & Program Management

• Lead the site risk assessment program (job hazard analyses, MOC, pre-startup safety reviews); ensure timely mitigation plans with clear ownership and verification.
• Partner with enterprise safety (e.g., Global Workplace Safety and EVOS) to align on standards, share learnings, and adopt best practices.
• Drive disciplined change management for new/modified processes, tools, and programs using Communication, Learning, and Reinforcement (CLR) mechanisms.
• Collaborate with Global Call To Action (GCTA) and Operations process owners to prioritize and close actions on life-safety risks.

Data, BI, and Analytics

• Establish strategy and routines for accurate, timely EHS data collection and analytics; deploy electronic platforms and dashboards for leading/lagging indicators.
• Build Business Intelligence tools that use the voice of the customer (operations users/leaders) to improve usability, standardize reporting, and minimize manual data manipulation.
• Own KPI definition and performance reviews (e.g., TRIR, DART, serious incidents, critical control verification, audit closures, training effectiveness); drive continuous improvement.

Stakeholder and Change Leadership

• Engage regularly with operations to align on initiatives and build trust around safety outcomes.
• Influence cross-functional leaders and teams without formal authority; enable fast, consistent adoption of standards and controls.
• Partner with Maintenance & Facilities on safe utility/cleanroom/HVAC/infrastructure operations; ensure permit-to-work, confined space, and contractor management rigor.

Facilities Safety & Readiness

• Ensure facility readiness supports evolving development needs (layout changes, expansions, infrastructure upgrades) with embedded EHS requirements from concept to start-up.
• Maintain inspection-ready work areas through disciplined housekeeping (5S) and stewardship.

Scope & Impact

• Leads large, complex EHS initiatives that span multiple functions, development areas, and programs.
• Makes time-sensitive operational decisions that impact safety, readiness, throughput, and compliance.
• Sets objectives and delivers KPIs aligned with GM’s electrification and technology development priorities.
• Drives organizational change through governance, data transparency, and coaching that challenge legacy approaches.
• Represents BCDC EHS in…