Environmental Health & Safety Manager I

Dawn Food Products Inc•Jackson, MS

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The EHS Manager I is responsible for leading and executing the plant’s environmental, health, and safety (EHS) program. This role provides both strategic oversight and hands-on leadership to ensure safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible operations across the site. Partnering closely with plant leadership and frontline teams, the EHS Manager I drives a proactive safety culture by identifying and mitigating risks, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and implementing effective EHS programs and initiatives. This position maintains a strong presence on the plant floor coaching team members, leading incident prevention efforts, and reinforcing accountability throughout the site. The EHS Manager I is accountable for the overall performance and continuous improvement of site EHS programs, leveraging best practices, and monitoring key performance indicators to achieve sustainable safety and environmental results.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED required
Minimum 3 years of Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or operations environment, including at least 1 year in a leadership or supervisory role, or an equivalent combination of education and certifications.
Working knowledge of federal, state, and local EHS regulations (e.g., OSHA/MIOSHA, EPA/EGLE) and their practical application in a plant setting.
Proven ability to develop, implement, and improve EHS programs, policies, and training.
Demonstrated ability to lead incident investigations and conduct actionable RCA’s
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and EHS systems for reporting and documentation.
Ability to effectively communicate, coach, and engage team members, vendors, and contractors across all levels, both internally and externally.
Off-Shift response as needed to address EHS concerns for a 24/7 manufacturing facility
Strong Leadership: Actively engages on the plant floor to coach safe behaviors and reinforce EHS expectations.
Execution: High level of accountability, organization, and attention to detail.
Communication: Effective communication and training skills, with the ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical applications.
Hazard Recognition & Problem Solving: Identify risks and reduce exposure.
Collaboration: Partners with all departments to support safe and compliant operations.
Time Management: Prioritizes objectives and drive results in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Engineering, or a related field preferred
Certification, or progress toward obtaining an EHS-related certification (e.g., ASP, CSP) preferred
Experience in food manufacturing or a regulated environment with standards such as FDA or GFSI/BRCGS preferred

Responsibilities

Champion and sustain a 24/7 safety culture by driving engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement across all levels of the organization.
Lead a proactive, risk-based approach to hazard identification and mitigation to protect team members, the community, and the environment.
Develop, implement, and manage environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs, policies, and training to ensure compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.
Oversee site environmental compliance programs, including air permits, stormwater (SWPPP), spill prevention (SPCC), wastewater discharge, Tier II reporting, universal waste, and SARA Title III reporting, ensuring accurate and timely submissions to regulatory agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and state authorities.
Support compliance with applicable National Fire Protection Association standards and insurance requirements, including combustible dust, flammable liquid storage, and property loss prevention programs.
Lead thorough incident and near-miss investigations using root cause analysis methodologies; implement and track corrective and preventive actions to mitigate recurrence.
Promote knowledge sharing by communicating best practices, lessons learned, and corrective actions across the manufacturing network.
Facilitate and maintain records for all EHS training programs including onboarding, new content, regulatory, and ongoing refresher courses
Coach and mentor EHS committee members and site leaders through inspections, behavioral and conditional observations, and risk assessments.
Drive EHS performance through key performance indicators (KPIs) and targets: Reduce or eliminate workplace hazards and improve safe work practices. Monitor leading and lagging indicators to reduce injury and illness rates. Ensure ongoing compliance with environmental program requirements.
Manage workers’ compensation cases in partnership with the corporate team, supporting effective case management and return-to-work programs.
Manage the site EHS budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources to meet compliance and improvement goals.
Lead and/or support internal and external audits to ensure compliance with OSHA (MIOSHA), EPA (EGLE), FDA (MDARD), and IFS standards.
Manage DOT compliance with shipment of hazardous materials.
Provide EHS expertise and guidance for capital projects and continuous improvement (CI) initiatives to ensure safe design and regulatory compliance.
Model and promote company values, including Dawn Values and Circle of Excellence, in all aspects of leadership and decision-making.

Benefits

Industry-leading health insurance on Day 1!
Competitive Pay
401(K) + company match
10 Paid Company Holidays
Paid Time Off
Professional training
Family-owned business with over 100 years in service
An opportunity for career advancement, working as part of an empowering workforce
Comprehensive health and well-being coverage
Competitive compensation packages
Award-winning benefit offerings
Generous 401(k) matching program that provides additional retirement funds
Many tools and resources on financial wellness
Tuition assistance and educational programs