Head of Corporate EHS

Slate Auto•Warsaw, IN

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Head of Corporate EHS is a director-level leader responsible for the strategic vision, enterprise-wide oversight, and operational execution of Environmental, Health, Safety & Security programs across Slate’s manufacturing and corporate locations. The role partners with executive leadership to establish the systems, standards, and talent needed to protect employees, ensure regulatory excellence, and promote responsible operations. The position provides leadership across all facilities, including the Warsaw, Indiana manufacturing campus and corporate offices, and integrates safety into product launches, manufacturing expansion, and daily operations. The role develops Slate’s multi-year EHS strategy, advises the COO and Executive Leadership Team, and establishes and improves an enterprise EHS Management System. It oversees environmental compliance, permitting, reporting, sustainability, occupational health, safety programs, emergency preparedness, incident investigations, training, audits, and EHS performance reporting. It also leads EHS support for new facility construction, equipment installation, manufacturing launches, and process development. The Head of Corporate EHS recruits and develops a multi-site EHS team and collaborates with Operations, Engineering, HR, Legal, Finance, and Facilities. The primary work location is the Warsaw, Indiana manufacturing campus, with regular travel to corporate offices and other company locations estimated at 20–30%. The role combines office work with manufacturing-floor engagement and requires availability for after-hours response to emergencies, regulatory inquiries, or critical incidents.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Health & Safety, Engineering, or a related field.
At least 12–15 years of progressive EHS experience.
At least 5 years in a senior- or director-level EHS leadership role.
Demonstrated experience in automotive, advanced manufacturing, or high-growth industrial environments.
Proven track record building and scaling EHS programs across multiple facilities and geographies.
Deep expertise in OSHA, EPA, and state-level EHS regulations applicable to manufacturing operations.
Exceptional leadership, communication, and executive presence, with the ability to influence from frontline workers to the C-suite.
Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills, including proficiency with EHS software platforms and metrics reporting.
Project management experience managing complex, multi-site EHS initiatives simultaneously.
Ability to build trust, drive accountability, and foster a positive safety culture in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Proficiency with EHS management software, such as Intelex, Cority, VelocityEHS, or equivalent platforms.
Ability to conduct site inspections, audits, and field investigations in both office and manufacturing-floor settings.
Availability for after-hours response to EHS emergencies, regulatory inquiries, or critical incidents.
Willingness to travel regularly to corporate offices and other company locations; estimated travel is 20–30%.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Startup or greenfield launch experience.
Certified Safety Professional (CSP).
Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH).
ISO 45001 / ISO 14001 Lead Auditor certification.
Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a multi-year enterprise EHS roadmap aligned with Slate’s growth, manufacturing scale-up, and organizational values.
Advise the COO and Executive Leadership Team on EHS matters and present metrics, risk assessments, and strategic initiatives to leadership and the board.
Establish, maintain, and continuously improve an enterprise EHS Management System, such as ISO 45001, ISO 14001, or an equivalent system.
Champion an accountable, transparent, behavior-based safety culture and continuous improvement across the organization.
Ensure enterprise-wide compliance with applicable federal, state, and local EHS regulations, including OSHA, EPA, MIOSHA, and DNR requirements.
Oversee environmental compliance programs covering air emissions, stormwater, wastewater, hazardous waste, chemical storage, and spill prevention.
Direct regulatory permitting and oversee timely, accurate regulatory reports, manifests, and disclosures.
Lead sustainability initiatives involving energy reduction, water conservation, waste minimization, and carbon-footprint tracking.
Design, implement, and improve safety programs for hazard identification, risk assessment, JSA/JHA processes, machine guarding, LOTO, fall protection, and industrial hygiene.
Lead the enterprise incident investigation framework using root-cause methods and ensure corrective actions are implemented and verified.
Oversee occupational health clinic operations and workers’ compensation programs, including care and return-to-work support.
Develop, maintain, and test emergency response plans, evacuation procedures, and business continuity protocols.
Provide EHS leadership during facility construction, equipment installation, and manufacturing launches; assess layouts, safe work procedures, and commissioning safety.
Partner with Engineering and Operations to integrate safety into manufacturing processes from concept through production.
Lead enterprise ergonomics, noise monitoring, air-quality, chemical-exposure monitoring, and PPE selection programs.
Design and deliver scalable EHS training for employees, contractors, supervisors, and specialized operators.
Develop internal EHS communications and champion frontline engagement, behavioral safety, hazard identification, and near-miss reporting.
Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing EHS team, including plant EHS managers, regional leads, and occupational health personnel.
Coach and mentor direct reports and foster a proactive, service-oriented EHS function.
Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, HR, Legal, Finance, and Facilities to integrate EHS into business decisions and capital projects.
Establish and manage enterprise EHS KPIs and leading and lagging indicators, and provide actionable reporting to plant and corporate leadership.
Direct internal audits and coordinate external regulatory inspections; track findings through closure.
Lead cross-functional EHS improvement projects using Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or similar methods, and benchmark automotive safety practices.
Ensure accurate EHS records, including SDS libraries, chemical approvals, training records, permits, inspection logs, and incident reports.