EHS Manager

Ecolab Inc. • Chicago, IL

16d • $107,600 - $161,500 • Onsite

About The Position

The Safety, Health & Environmental (SHE) Manager at Ecolab’s Nalco Water plant in Bedford Park, Illinois, is a key member of the Plant Leadership Team. The role leads and sustains a strong safety culture and world-class SHE systems across a high-complexity, 24/7 manufacturing operation and is responsible for SHE processes and initiatives at two facilities.

The manager works with employees and teams to identify losses, develop and implement solutions, and recognize successes. They foster collaborative relationships and team development, partner with SHE teams across the network to share best practices and improve policies and practices, and represent the facilities to outside agencies. The role drives compliance with safety and environmental requirements, audits, and assessments, while applying TPM and operational excellence methods to improve performance. The position also contributes to plant strategy, capital project reviews, and operational decisions so safety is considered early.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental, Health, or a related field.
• 5–8 years of SHE experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and state regulatory requirements.
• Experience with Safety/EHS Management Systems.
• Supervisory or people-leadership experience.
• Ability to influence and partner effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, 24/7 manufacturing environment.
• No immigration sponsorship is available for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree.
• Demonstrated experience leading SHE within a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) operating system.
• Experience driving change and influencing without formal authority.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and MS Project.

Responsibilities

• Lead, own, and continuously improve the site’s SHE management systems, ensuring compliance with OSHA, EPA, DOT, and applicable state and local regulations.
• Partner with Operations and Maintenance to integrate SHE requirements into equipment design, operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement, using TPM methods to prevent injuries and equipment-related safety risks.
• Use leading and lagging SHE performance metrics to analyze trends and lead accountable action plans.
• Lead investigations of serious incidents and near misses, and support process safety event investigations using root-cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions.
• Lead industrial hygiene and chemical exposure control, and support process safety programs.
• Drive site programs including 5S, TPM continuous improvement activities, safety observations, and safety committees.
• Coordinate ECAP and other SHE audits and partner with site leadership to close findings and prevent recurrence.
• Provide technical SHE guidance and coaching to plant leaders, engineers, and frontline teams.
• Maintain environmental permits and compliance records, including air, water, and waste requirements.
• Develop, mentor, and coach the SHE team, strengthening site capability and succession readiness.
• Contribute to plant strategy, capital project reviews, and operational decision-making to embed safety upstream.
• Build relationships with employees and teams to identify losses, implement solutions, and celebrate successes.
• Partner with SHE teams across the network to share best practices and implement or upgrade SHE policies and practices.
• Represent the facilities to outside agencies and drive compliance with applicable requirements, audits, and assessments.

Benefits

• Annual performance-based bonus, subject to plan terms.
• Ecolab states that it strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits for associates and their families; specific benefits are not listed in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager