Director, EHS

Novolex•,

11d•$160,000 - $220,000•Remote

About The Position

The Director of Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) is a strategic and operational leader responsible for EHS excellence across the manufacturing operations of one Novolex Business Unit. The role provides leadership and oversight to ensure regulatory compliance, reduce workplace risks, prevent injuries, and build a proactive, sustainable culture of safety and environmental responsibility. The Director partners with Operations leadership, Plant Managers, Engineering, Human Resources, and site EHS professionals to integrate EHS expectations into manufacturing activities and business decisions. The role develops and executes EHS strategies to improve employee safety, environmental performance, operational discipline, and organizational capability. It requires a hands-on leader who can translate corporate objectives into sustainable improvements on the manufacturing floor and hold leaders accountable for results. The position has a critical role in protecting employees, maintaining regulatory compliance, reducing operational risk, and supporting manufacturing excellence. Success is measured by injury prevention, environmental protection, stronger operational accountability, and sustained continuous improvement. Travel is approximately 40–60%, based on business needs. The position is remote, as indicated by the job posting’s #LI-Remote designation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
At least 8 years of progressive EHS experience, including significant leadership responsibility in manufacturing or industrial environments.
Demonstrated success improving EHS performance, strengthening regulatory compliance, and reducing workplace injuries.
Experience managing and developing EHS professionals across geographically dispersed locations.
Strong working knowledge of OSHA regulations, EPA requirements, environmental permitting, and industrial risk management.
Experience implementing standardized EHS management systems, audit programs, and performance measurement processes.
Demonstrated experience influencing senior Operations leaders and driving organizational change.
Strategic leadership: translate business objectives and operational risks into actionable EHS strategies that produce measurable results.
Operational excellence: understand manufacturing processes and integrate EHS requirements into daily operations without unnecessary complexity.
Change leadership: challenge established practices, build organizational commitment, and drive sustainable behavioral and process improvements.
Influence and accountability: influence leaders at multiple organizational levels and establish clear ownership for EHS performance.
Problem solving: use data, structured analysis, and root cause methodologies to identify systemic issues and implement lasting solutions.
Talent development: build strong EHS teams and develop safety leadership capabilities across Operations.
Business acumen: understand the relationship between safety, compliance, operational reliability, cost, employee engagement, and business performance.
Executive communication: communicate complex risks, performance trends, and recommendations clearly and persuasively to senior leadership.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related discipline or Business Administration.
Professional certification such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).
At least 5 years of experience leading EHS programs across multiple manufacturing facilities or a similarly complex industrial organization.
Background in high-volume manufacturing, packaging, plastics, paper, converting, or related industries.

Responsibilities

Establish Business Unit-specific EHS plans aligned with Novolex’s EHS Cultural Transformation Strategy, with clear priorities, measurable objectives, and accountability.
Standardize EHS processes, procedures, and performance expectations across assigned manufacturing facilities.
Advise Operations leadership on EHS risks, performance, regulatory requirements, and improvement opportunities.
Lead initiatives to advance EHS performance and integrate EHS considerations into operational planning, capital investments, equipment installations, and organizational changes.
Partner with Plant Managers and operational leaders to establish accountability for EHS performance at every organizational level.
Promote visible leadership engagement through plant-floor observations, safety discussions, and operational reviews.
Strengthen employee involvement in hazard identification, near-miss reporting, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.
Establish expectations for safe work practices, including machine guarding, lockout/tagout, powered industrial trucks, ergonomics, and other high-risk manufacturing activities.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local EHS regulations, including OSHA and EPA requirements.
Oversee risk assessments, regulatory inspections, compliance audits, and corrective action programs.
Ensure appropriate investigation and reporting of workplace injuries, serious incidents, near misses, and environmental events.
Lead root cause analysis to identify systemic contributors and prevent recurrence; establish risk mitigation strategies for high-risk manufacturing processes and activities.
Partner with Legal and other stakeholders on regulatory matters, inspections, and enforcement actions.
Work with the Director, Environmental Compliance, to oversee environmental compliance programs covering air emissions, wastewater, stormwater, waste management, and hazardous materials.
Partner with Operations and Engineering on sustainable environmental improvements and support waste reduction, resource efficiency, pollution prevention, and environmental performance initiatives.
Ensure timely resolution of environmental incidents, audit findings, and regulatory deficiencies.
Manage leading and lagging EHS indicators; analyze injury trends, incident severity, near-miss activity, audit findings, and environmental performance to identify improvement opportunities.
Lead structured EHS performance reviews with manufacturing and functional leadership.
Apply continuous improvement principles to reduce risk, improve operational discipline, and eliminate recurring EHS issues; benchmark against industry standards and identify replicable best practices.
Coach and develop regional and plant-level EHS professionals; establish clear expectations, responsibilities, and performance standards for the EHS organization.
Build organizational capability in incident investigation, hazard recognition, risk assessment, and corrective action management, and promote collaboration and knowledge sharing across facilities.
Participate in operational performance reviews and provide actionable recommendations for improving EHS results.
Partner with Engineering on equipment safety, capital projects, automation, and new manufacturing processes.
Evaluate EHS risks during operational changes, facility expansions, and equipment modifications.
Balance regulatory requirements, employee protection, operational effectiveness, and business priorities without compromising safety or compliance.

Benefits

401(k) plan with company match.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Flexible spending and health savings accounts.
Paid vacation and sick days.
Paid parental leave.
Paid holidays.
Wellness program.
Well-being resources focused on mental, physical, and financial health.
Training and development opportunities, including skills development, advanced education programs, company and industry training curricula, and courses through MyLearning.
Tuition Reimbursement Program for non-union employees.
Learning Management System to support employee skills development.