Environment, Health and Safety Manager

Appleton Finn is seeking an Environment, Health and Safety Manager in Chicago, IL. The role involves developing and overseeing health, safety, and environmental programs, ensuring compliance with regulations, conducting risk assessments, managing incident investigations, and training staff. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in a related field and 5-10 years of HSE experience, particularly in chemical manufacturing. Strong leadership and analytical skills are essential.
Job summary

The HSE Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing comprehensive health, safety, and environmental programs to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations. This role is critical in fostering a robust safety culture and minimizing environmental and health risks inherent to chemical manufacturing. The manager will lead site safety initiatives, conduct risk assessments, manage regulatory reporting, and oversee emergency response protocols.

Responsibilities

Safety and compliance management
• Develop, implement, and enforce all HSE policies and procedures, including those for handling hazardous materials, chemical hygiene, confined space, and lockout/tagout.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements from agencies such as OSHA and the EPA. For Process Safety Management (PSM) facilities, implement and maintain the 14 elements of the PSM program.
• Act as the primary contact for regulatory inspections, audits, and reporting activities.
• Conduct regular internal audits and inspections of all facilities and operations to identify and mitigate potential hazards.

Risk assessment and incident investigation
• Lead site-wide risk assessments, including Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), to identify and control potential hazards.
• Manage and lead all incident investigations, including near-misses, to determine root causes and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Track, analyze, and report on key HSE performance metrics and trends to senior management.

Training and program development
• Create, manage, and deliver comprehensive training programs for all employees, contractors, and visitors.
• Promote and embed a proactive safety-first culture through communication, engagement, and effective training.
• Develop and maintain emergency response plans for chemical spills, fires, and other crises, and coordinate regular emergency drills.

Environmental stewardship
• Manage environmental permits and oversee compliance for air emissions, waste disposal, and wastewater discharge.
• Oversee all hazardous waste management and minimization programs.
• Coordinate internal and external audits for environmental compliance and management systems.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety, Environmental Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field is required. A master's degree or professional certifications are a plus.

Experience: 5-10 years of progressive HSE experience, with significant experience in a chemical manufacturing, petrochemical, or refinery setting.

Knowledge

In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local HSE regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA, DOT).

Strong command of Process Safety Management (PSM) standards.

Working knowledge of ISO management systems (e.g., ISO 45001, ISO 14001) is desirable.

Certifications (desired): Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).

Skills

Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, particularly for incident investigation and root cause analysis.

Physical requirements

Ability to work in a plant or field environment and wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Capacity to walk, climb ladders and stairs, and perform inspections in various conditions, including noisy or inclement weather.