Health & Safety Leader

Job Description

Stepan Company is a global leader in chemical manufacturing, driven by a commitment to safety, sustainability, and innovation. We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Health and Safety Leader to join our team at our coastal Wilmington, NC facility. In this key leadership role, you will report directly to the Site Manager and serve as a strategic partner in advancing our HSS culture. This is a hands-on position that requires active engagement in the field, working closely with operations, maintenance, and leadership teams to ensure compliance, reduce risk, and promote continuous improvement across all aspects of health, safety, and security.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement using self-assessments and audit processes, incident/near miss investigations, metrics and targets and align corporate and site-level HSS strategies.
• Lead/participate in safety assessments and root cause investigations, implementing plans to address findings to improve the overall safety performance.
• Conduct risk assessments and audits to identify potential hazards and implement preventative measures. Increase critical hazard awareness to reduce at-risk behaviors.
• Drive Life Critical Safety Rules and Safe Work programs including but not limited to Confined Space, Hot Work, Lockout/Tagout, Electrical, Permit to Work, and Work at Heights.
• Develop and implement programs to control and prevent health hazards, and train employees on proper safety protocols. 
• Responsible for health, safety and security programs, including but not limited to, occupational health, industrial hygiene, emergency response, personal protective equipment, fire protection, and TSCA. 
• Responsible for monthly, quarterly, and annual fire protection equipment testing including but not limited to, fire extinguishers, fire pumps, fire monitors, PIVs, SCBAs.
• Responsible for the Contractor Management program, including but not limited to contractor approvals, contractor training, and contractor safety requirements.
• Collaborate with site leadership on safety initiatives and project planning.
• Fostering a culture where safety is a core value, proactively identifying and mitigating risks, and promoting a positive safety mindset among all employees. Establishes clear expectations and demonstrate commitment to safety through their actions and words.
  
  

Qualifications

• 4 or more years of HSS leadership role with relevant work experience in chemical manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of HSS regulations (EPA, OSHA, ANSI, NFPA).
• Proven track record of driving continuous improvement and innovation.
• Must be comfortable in a hands-on role, actively participating in field activities and safety operations.
  
  

Education

Bachelor's Degree or higher in Safety & Health, Industrial Hygiene or Engineering or equivalent experience in an industrial/manufacturing facility.

LI-ONSITE

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Established in 1932, Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of basic and intermediate chemicals including surfactants, polymers, as well as specialty ingredients that go into consumer, household, and institutional products such as laundry detergents, shampoos, and surface cleaners. Stepan Company currently has 22 global manufacturing locations and over 2,500 employees. We have a strong record of growth. Our growth allows us to provide meaningful career opportunities and stability to our team members. We have big goals at Stepan and know every team member will be crucial to achieving our objectives. Regardless of function, we are looking for team members who bring with them a growth mindset, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to thrive in an evolving environment.

We celebrate diversity at Stepan and are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.