Director, EHS

Position Summary

We are seeking a proactive and visionary Director of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to lead the development and execution of environmental, health, and safety strategies for a new aerospace fastener manufacturing facility. This Greenfield site will be built from the ground up with advanced automation, lean principles, and Industry 4.0 technologies. The EHS Director will play a critical role in ensuring regulatory compliance, fostering a culture of safety and sustainability, and implementing advanced environmental planning that supports long-term operational excellence.

This role reports directly to the VP/General Manager, with functional reporting responsibility to Corporate. This position will collaborate closely with engineering, operations, HR, and supply chain leadership to embed EHS into every aspect of the site’s design, construction, and ramp-up.

The Director will also lead and manage a small but high-impact EHS team, including one Environmental Engineer and one Health & Safety Engineer, providing strategic direction, coaching, and performance management.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Environmental Planning

• Develop and implement a comprehensive environmental strategy aligned with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Lead advanced environmental planning initiatives including air emissions control, water conservation, hazardous waste management, and energy efficiency.
• Oversee permitting processes and ensure timely submission of environmental reports and disclosures.
• Integrate sustainability goals into facility design, equipment selection, and operational workflows.
• Apply project management methodologies to track environmental milestones, budgets, and deliverables.
  
  

Health & Safety Program Leadership

• Design and launch site-wide health and safety programs including behavior-based safety, ergonomics, and emergency preparedness.
• Conduct risk assessments and hazard evaluations during construction and operational phases.
• Lead incident investigations and root cause analyses, ensuring corrective actions are implemented and tracked.
• Promote a proactive safety culture through training, recognition programs, and leadership engagement.
• Manage safety-related projects with clear timelines, resource allocation, and stakeholder communication.
  
  

Greenfield Site Development Support

• Collaborate with engineering and construction teams to ensure EHS considerations are embedded in facility layout and infrastructure.
• Support capital project planning with EHS risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Establish foundational EHS systems and processes to support startup and scale-up phases.
• Lead cross-functional EHS project teams to ensure alignment with construction schedules and operational readiness.
  
  

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure full compliance with OSHA, EPA, DOT, and other applicable regulations.
• Maintain and continuously improve ISO 14001 and other relevant environmental management systems.
• Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies and external auditors.
• Develop and manage EHS compliance projects, including audits, corrective action plans, and reporting systems.
  
  

Team Leadership & Development

• Directly supervise and mentor one Environmental Specialist and one Health & Safety Specialist.
• Set clear goals, provide ongoing feedback, and conduct performance reviews.
• Foster a collaborative and accountable team culture focused on continuous improvement.
• Support professional development and training for EHS staff.
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Operations, Engineering, HR, and Supply Chain to integrate EHS into business processes.
• Lead EHS reviews for new equipment, processes, and supplier engagements.
• Support corporate sustainability and ESG reporting initiatives.
• Facilitate project planning sessions and status reviews with internal and external stakeholders.
  
  

Experience & Education

Required Skills

• Expertise in environmental compliance, hazardous materials handling, and industrial hygiene.
• Strong knowledge of aerospace manufacturing regulations and best practices.
• Proven ability to lead EHS programs in a Greenfield or high-growth environment.
• Demonstrated project management skills including planning, execution, and stakeholder communication.
• Experience managing and developing EHS professionals.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
  
  

Preferred Experience

• 10 years in EHS leadership roles, preferably in aerospace or advanced manufacturing.
• Experience with ISO 14001, OSHA VPP, and lean safety systems.
• Familiarity with California environmental regulations and permitting processes.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management training is a plus.
  
  

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Occupational Health, Engineering, or related field.
• Master’s degree or professional certifications (CSP, CIH, CHMM) preferred.
  
  

Measures of Success

• Zero recordable safety incidents during construction and ramp-up.
• 100% compliance with environmental permits and reporting deadlines.
• Successful implementation of ISO 14001 or equivalent EMS.
• Reduction in energy, water, and waste intensity year-over-year.
• High employee engagement in safety programs and training completion.
• Timely resolution of EHS audit findings and corrective actions.
• Effective performance and development of EHS team members.
• On-time delivery of EHS-related project milestones and initiatives.