Director of Environmental Health & Safety

CREO GROUP•Leominster, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) is a leadership role responsible for building, leading, and executing a best-in-class, enterprise-wide safety and environmental program across CREO Group’s multi-site plastics manufacturing and warehousing operations. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements while driving a proactive, performance-based safety culture aligned with CREO’s operational and value creation objectives. Reporting to the CHRO, the Director will lead a field-based safety team and partner closely with Operations, Manufacturing, HR, and Executive Leadership to reduce risk, improve safety performance, and standardize EHS practices across all locations. This leader will play a critical role in operational excellence, cost control (workers’ compensation, claims, downtime), and ESG readiness in preparation for future growth and potential exit.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Safety, Engineering, or related field required
10+ years of progressive EHS experience, with 5+ years in a leadership role
Proven experience leading multi-site manufacturing safety programs (plastics or similar industrial environment preferred)
Demonstrated success managing and developing field-based safety teams
Deep knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and environmental compliance standards
Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence plant leadership and frontline teams
Expertise in incident investigation, root cause analysis, and risk mitigation
Experience building scalable, standardized safety programs across multiple sites
Strong analytical skills with ability to translate data into actionable insights
Excellent communication and executive-level presentation skills
Ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on execution

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred
CSP (Certified Safety Professional)
CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist)
CHMM (Certified Hazardous Materials Manager)

Responsibilities

Design and implement a comprehensive, enterprise-wide EHS strategy aligned with CREO’s operational and financial goals
Build a standardized safety management system across all manufacturing sites
Establish and lead safety governance structures, including safety committees and incident review boards
Drive a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement in safety performance
Lead, coach, and develop a team of 3 field-based Safety Specialists supporting multiple plant locations
Ensure consistent execution of safety programs, audits, and training across all sites
Provide hands-on support in high-risk environments and during critical incidents
Establish clear expectations, KPIs, and accountability for field safety performance
Ensure full compliance with OSHA, EPA, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations
Lead all EHS audits, inspections, and regulatory interactions
Oversee environmental compliance including waste management, emissions, and sustainability initiatives
Maintain readiness for customer, internal, and third-party audits (including social responsibility audits)
Lead incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation
Establish standardized protocols for reporting, escalation, and resolution of safety incidents
Analyze trends to proactively reduce recordable injuries, near misses, and high-risk exposures
Drive measurable improvements in key safety metrics (TRIR, LTIR, severity rates)
Develop and implement enterprise-wide EHS training programs for all levels of the organization
Ensure plant-level engagement through safety committees, toolbox talks, and leadership training
Promote a behavior-based safety culture rooted in accountability and prevention
Partner with Operations and Manufacturing leaders to integrate safety into daily production processes
Support capital projects, process changes, and new equipment implementation with EHS risk assessments
Ensure safety considerations are embedded in continuous improvement and Lean initiatives
Develop and track EHS KPIs and dashboards for executive leadership and Board reporting
Provide regular updates on risk exposure, incident trends, and mitigation strategies
Align safety performance with financial impact (workers’ comp costs, downtime, insurance exposure)
Develop and maintain emergency response and business continuity plans
Oversee ergonomics, industrial hygiene, and environmental impact programs
Lead sustainability and environmental initiatives aligned with ESG expectations
Manage EHS budget, including training, equipment, and compliance investments
Optimize resource allocation to maximize safety impact and cost efficiency