VP-Global EHS

Fuze HR Solutions Inc. is seeking a VP of Global EHS in Chicago, IL. This role involves strategic leadership in global Environmental Health & Safety policies, ensuring compliance with regulations, and promoting a proactive safety culture. Responsibilities include overseeing EHS strategy, project leadership, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives. The VP will collaborate across functions and lead EHS projects, audits, and incident management to enhance safety and environmental stewardship.
VP – GLOBAL EHS
Position Summary:
The Vice President of Global Environmental Health & Safety (VP EHS) provides strategic leadership and direction for all global EHS policies, programs, and initiatives to ensure compliance with international, federal, state/provincial, and local regulations. This role is responsible for championing and protecting the health and safety of employees worldwide, as well as ensuring environmental stewardship across multiple manufacturing and operational sites. The VP, EHS partners with regional and site leaders to develop and drive a robust, proactive safety culture and champion best-in-class EHS practices across the organization.
Duties/Responsibilities
• Global EHS Strategy & Culture
• Drive a Commitment to Zero: Champion the corporate safety culture by leading global initiatives, leveraging best practices, and modeling leadership behaviors that emphasize risk prevention and safety accountability.
• ISO 14001, 45001 & Other Standards: Oversee the global implementation and consistent application of the company’s ISO 14001 (or equivalent) management system, ensuring alignment with local and international requirements. Lead implementation of ISO 45001.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with operations, HR, legal, finance, and other functions to integrate EHS considerations into broader business processes and strategic decisions.
• Project Leadership & M&A
• EHS Projects & Design: Lead major EHS projects globally, from concept through execution, ensuring appropriate project design, resource allocation, and scheduling to meet safety, quality, and budget targets.
• M&A Integration: Direct EHS due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures; develop and implement strategies to align newly acquired entities with corporate EHS standards, policies, and programs.
• Short- & Long-Term Objective Setting: In partnership with site and regional EHS leaders, develop and refine short- and long-range EHS objectives, aligning them with overall corporate goals.
• Regulatory Compliance & Policy
• Global Regulatory Oversight: Serve as the primary liaison with international, federal, and state/provincial agencies (e.g., EPA, OSHA), ensuring timely reporting and compliance across all jurisdictions.
• Policy Development & Implementation: Establish, update, and enforce EHS policies and procedures to reflect evolving regulations, best practices, and lessons learned from internal audits and incident investigations.
• Incident Management & Investigations: Direct root-cause analyses for serious incidents and near-misses, championing a data-driven approach to corrective actions and preventive measures worldwide.
• Audit, Monitoring & Continuous Improvement
• Audit Programs: Oversee the creation and execution of global internal audit plans; guide site leaders and cross-functional teams in responding to audit findings with effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Performance Metrics & Reporting: Define and track key performance indicators (e.g., incident frequency rates, environmental metrics), ensuring clear communication of EHS performance to the COO and senior leadership.
• Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment: Promote rigorous hazard and risk assessments—covering areas such as industrial hygiene, hazardous chemicals, safety systems, and emergency preparedness—to drive proactive mitigation strategies.
• Workplace Safety & Committee Oversight
• Safety Committees: Chair or coordinate corporate-level and regional safety committees, providing strategic guidance on safety alerts, training agendas, and regulatory requirements.
• Training & Development: Partner with site leaders and HR to identify skill gaps, enhance training programs (e.g., STOP observations, Lockout/Tagout, PPE use), and foster a culture of continuous safety improvement.
• Contractor & Employee Management: Implement robust safety protocols for employees, contractors, and visitors, ensuring consistent global standards in areas such as incident response, handling hazardous materials, and maintaining PPE compliance.
• Environmental Stewardship & ESG
• Environmental Programs: Oversee waste management, air/water pollution control, hazardous material handling, and sustainability initiatives across all sites.
• ESG Integration: Collaborate with the Sustainability/ESG team to align EHS activities with corporate ESG goals; monitor and report environmental impacts, energy use, and overall sustainability metrics to internal and external stakeholders.
• Regulatory & Community Relations: Act as a senior spokesperson to maintain strong partnerships with community stakeholders, industry associations, and governmental agencies regarding environmental protection and responsible operations.
• Leadership & Team Development
• Coaching & Mentoring: Provide direct leadership to regional EHS directors and managers, facilitating knowledge-sharing and the adoption of best practices throughout the organization.
• Succession Planning: Identify and develop high-potential EHS talent to ensure operational continuity and strategic capability in all regions.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with senior leaders to integrate EHS expectations into performance management, compensation, and recognition programs, cultivating an enterprise-wide safety mindset.

Required Skills/Abilities
• Strategic Leadership & Ownership Mindset
• Able to define a compelling global EHS vision that aligns with corporate objectives and instills ownership and accountability across teams.
• Demonstrates an “owner’s mindset”—willingness to challenge the status quo and drive transformational changes in culture, systems, and performance.
• Technical Expertise & Data Proficiency
• Deep understanding of global EHS regulations, including OSHA, EPA, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and relevant regional/country-specific protocols.
• Experience leveraging digital EHS tools (e.g., SAP EHS, Red-On-Line, Safety Culture, EHS Insight) to analyze trends, report metrics, and track corrective actions.
• Proficient in data analytics, with an ability to derive insights from incident frequencies, audit results, and environmental measurements.
• Project Management & M&A Experience
• Track record of successfully planning and executing large-scale EHS projects (design, budgets, scheduling, stakeholder engagement) in manufacturing/industrial settings.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting EHS due diligence, risk assessments, and post-merger integration for acquisitions or new site expansions.
• Change Management & Behavioral Influence
• Ability to foster a “Commitment to Zero” safety culture through active leadership, communication, and modeling desired behaviors.
• Skilled in engaging diverse workforces and leadership levels to embrace safety as a shared core value, with strong attention to building trust and respect among colleagues.
• Collaboration & Communication
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of effectively interfacing with frontline employees, mid-level management, and C-suite executives.
• Ability to work cross-functionally, forging strong partnerships with Operations, HR, Quality, Legal, and Finance to ensure EHS priorities are integrated organization-wide.
• Performance Culture & Work Intensity
• Enjoys a performance-driven environment that encourages agility, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates a high level of work intensity and resilience, capable of effectively managing multiple high-priority projects and rapid deadlines.
• Integrity & Respect
• Upholds ethical standards in decision-making and fosters a culture that values respect, diversity, inclusion, and open communication.
• Exercises sound judgment, confidentiality, and discretion in all interactions with internal and external stakeholders.

Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Health & Safety, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• At least twelve (12+) years of progressive experience in environmental health and safety in environmental health and safety leadership roles, ideally with global or multinational scope in a manufacturing environment experience is required (B2B).
• Proven track record of establishing and scaling EHS programs across diverse geographies with varying regulatory requirements.
• Experience with ESG and sustainability reporting or mining/metallurgical/beneficiation industries is an advantage.
• Professional Certifications:
• ASP/CSP, CHMM preferred;
• Highly desirable certifications include Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), and Certified Environmental Professional (CEP).
• Leadership & Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels of the organization, from front-line staff to executive leadership.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Exceptional ability to identify trends, analyze data, and develop effective solutions; proven track record of implementing successful EHS programs.
• Communication & Presentation: Effective speaker and trainer, comfortable delivering presentations to diverse audiences; skilled in both verbal and written professional communication.
• Time Management & Organization: Excellent multitasking skills; ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, follow up, and maintain strong attention to detail.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); familiarity with EHS-related software (e.g., Red-On-Line, Safety Culture, EHS Insight, IDM Maximo, SAP EHS) is highly desired.
• Industry & ESG Experience: Exposure to ESG software tools and reporting platforms, and/or experience in manufacturing or metallurgical industries is an advantage.
• Flexibility & Availability: Willingness to work flexible hours to support international teams as needed.
Location & Travel
• Location: Must reside within reasonable proximity to a major international airport to accommodate frequent travel.
• Travel Requirements: Up to 50% (domestic and international) to assess compliance, meet with site leaders, and provide on-site leadership and support.
Contact mreyes@fuzehr.com for any questions.