Director of EHS

*Commutable distance from Corporate Office (Burlington, WI) Required*

Summary

The Director of EHS leads and oversees Echo Lake Foods’ environmental, health, safety, and regulatory compliance programs across all production sites. This role ensures a safe workplace, regulatory adherence, and continuous improvement in safety and environmental performance in alignment with corporate goals and Cal-Maine standards.

Essential Functions

• EHS Strategy & Leadership: Develop, implement, and continuously improve a multi-site EHS strategy aligned with corporate objectives and Cal-Maine standards.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, USDA, and applicable state regulations across Wisconsin, Indiana, and Kentucky facilities.
• Process Safety & Hazard Management: Lead safety programs for high-hazard systems, including ammonia refrigeration, and oversee root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Risk Management: Conduct audits, inspections, and risk assessments; identify and close process safety management (PSM) gaps.
• Training & Safety Culture: Design and deploy EHS training programs to promote consistent safety awareness and accountability across all sites.
• Incident Management: Lead incident investigations, corrective action implementation, and reporting processes.
• Environmental Programs: Oversee waste management, water usage, air permitting, and sustainability initiatives.
• Team & Program Oversight: Supervise EHS personnel, manage budgets, and partner with operations, HR, quality, and maintenance leaders.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive initiatives to reduce injury rates, improve ergonomics, and streamline EHS systems and processes.

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership, communication, and influencing skills.
• Data-driven analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Proficiency with EHS systems, audit platforms, and incident tracking tools.
• Ability to travel regularly to production sites in WI, IN, and KY.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position provides leadership and direction to EHS staff and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with company policies and applicable laws, including hiring, training, performance management, discipline, and conflict resolution.

Work Environment

This role operates in both professional office and manufacturing environments. The employee regularly works independently and collaboratively with frequent verbal and face-to-face interaction. Noise levels vary by location and are generally moderate in office settings.

Physical, Sensory & Intellectual Demands

This position is primarily sedentary but requires occasional standing, walking, and light lifting (up to 20 pounds). The role requires close and distance vision, effective communication, decision-making, problem-solving, time management, and the ability to analyze complex information under time constraints.

Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Work hours may vary based on operational needs and may include occasional evenings or weekends. Regular travel to production sites is required.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Science, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering, or related field; advanced degree or CSP/CIH preferred.
• 8–10 years of progressive EHS leadership experience in food manufacturing or process-based industries.
• Demonstrated expertise in ammonia refrigeration safety and process safety management.
• Proven success implementing behavior-based safety, lock-out/tag-out, confined space, and machine safety programs.
• Experience leading multi-site EHS programs across multiple states.