Corporate Environmental Manager

HNI Corporation seeks a Corporate Environmental Manager in St Paul, MN, to lead environmental compliance strategy and program development across its manufacturing operations. This role involves guiding plant-level EHS professionals, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving sustainability initiatives. Key responsibilities include developing corporate strategies, conducting audits, collaborating with various teams, managing performance metrics, and providing training to promote environmental awareness within the organization.
HNI Corporation is a global family of brands for the workplace and home dedicated to enhancing the spaces where we live, work, and gather. We pride ourselves on fostering an environment where we make a positive impact on others; upholding our beliefs in integrity, inclusion and belonging.The Corporate Environmental Manager is responsible for leading environmental compliance strategy, reporting, and program development across the organization’s manufacturing operations. This role serves as a corporate-level subject matter expert and strategic partner to plant-level EHS professionals, who retain primary responsibility for day-to-day operational compliance.Rather than owning direct site execution, this role focuses on guidance, oversight, reporting, and continuous improvement, ensuring consistency in environmental practices, regulatory compliance, and performance across all facilities. The Corporate Environmental Manager works closely with site EHS teams, Operations, Engineering, and Leadership to interpret regulatory requirements, support permitting and reporting, and drive enterprise-wide environmental performance and sustainability initiatives.ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIESCorporate Environmental Strategy & GovernanceDevelop, implement, and maintain corporate environmental compliance strategies, standards, and best practices across all facilities.Serve as the central resource for environmental regulatory interpretation and corporate policy development.Ensure alignment of plant-level environmental programs with corporate standards and regulatory requirements.Identify enterprise-wide environmental risks and opportunities and communicate them to EHS leadership and senior management.Lead environmental compliance audits and regulatory applicability assessments across facilities.Cross-Functional Support & Collaboration

Partner with plant-level EHS professionals to provide consultative support without direct operational ownership.Collaborate with Engineering and Operations on environmental considerations for capital projects and process changes.Act as liaison with regulatory agencies during audits, inspections, and inquiries.Support internal investigations and provide recommendations for corrective and preventive actions.Data, Reporting & Performance Management

Develop and maintain environmental performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting frameworks.Track compliance status, audit findings, and corrective actions across facilities.Provide regular reporting and insights to EHS leadership and executive stakeholders.Ensure environmental data integrity and consistency across systems and reporting processes.Training, Communication & Culture

Develop and deliver environmental training programs and communication strategies for site teams.Promote environmental awareness, accountability, and ownership across all levels of the organization.Provide guidance and tools to support consistent implementation of environmental programs.AIR EMISSIONS (CAA, TITLE V, NESHAP, TRI)

Compliance & Reporting

Oversee corporate compliance with air permitting requirements, including Title V permits and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.Prepare and/or review regulatory reports such as emissions inventories, Title V Annual Compliance Certifications, and TRI submissions.Ensure consistency and accuracy of emissions data and reporting across all facilities.Technical Support & Permitting

Provide technical guidance to plant EHS teams on air permitting, emissions calculations, and compliance strategies.Support permitting activities for new equipment, process changes, and capital projects.Interpret evolving air regulations and assess impacts to manufacturing operations.Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

Analyze air emissions data and identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.Support implementation of emissions reduction initiatives and best practices across facilities.Develop standardized methodologies for emissions tracking and reporting.SOLID & LIQUID WASTE (RCRA, CWA, SPCC, WASTE MANAGEMENT)

Compliance & Reporting

Support compliance with regulations related to hazardous waste, non-hazardous waste, wastewater, and stormwater management.Oversee preparation and submission of required reports (e.g., Tier II, hazardous waste reports, discharge monitoring reports).Ensure proper documentation and recordkeeping for waste handling, disposal, and treatment activities.Technical Support & Program Oversight

Provide guidance to plant EHS teams on waste classification, handling, storage, and disposal practices.Support wastewater permitting, discharge compliance, and water usage monitoring.Assist in development and implementation of spill prevention, stormwater, and waste minimization programs.Sustainability & Waste Reduction

Support corporate sustainability initiatives including waste reduction, recycling programs, and resource optimization.Conduct waste assessments and partner with sites to identify cost savings and environmental improvements.Track and report waste-related performance metrics and sustainability goals.EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, EHS Management, or related field required.5+ years of environmental compliance experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.10+ years of experience in EHS.Experience supporting multiple facilities or operating in a corporate/regional role preferred.Strong experience with air emissions and waste/water regulatory programs.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Strong knowledge of environmental regulations includingClean Air Act (CAA), Title V, NESHAPClean Water Act (CWA)Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)EPCRA (Tier II, TRI)SPCC and CERCLAExperience with environmental permitting and regulatory reporting processes.Familiarity with ISO 14001 or environmental management systems preferred.Strong data analysis and reporting skills (Excel, data tools).RELEVANT SKILLS

Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.Ability to influence and guide without direct authority.Excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.Strong organizational and project management skills.Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.We look forward to hearing from you!