Associate Director, EHS – Manufacturing

The Associate Director of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) supports the Director of Safety in advancing our client’s safety excellence across all manufacturing operations. This high-impact leadership role provides strategic guidance, mentorship, and operational oversight to ensure compliance with OSHA, ISO 45001, EPA, and other regulatory standards while championing a proactive, people-first safety culture.

• Strategic Safety Leadership: Support the development and execution of EHS strategies, goals, and initiatives across multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Regulatory Adherence: Maintain compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910, EPA, DOT, RCRA, and NFPA standards.
• Audit & Compliance: Lead multi-site audits and inspections; track findings, manage corrective actions, and prepare for external regulatory reviews.
• Program Oversight: Guide implementation of safety management systems (SMS) aligned with ISO 45001, ensuring consistency in hazard identification and control measures.
• Performance Analytics: Monitor safety KPIs and deliver actionable insights to senior leadership.
• Continuous Improvement: Champion new technologies, digital tools, and training methods to drive operational excellence.
• Executive Communication: Present EHS performance updates and strategic recommendations to senior executives.
• Contractor Safety: Evaluate and qualify contractors; ensure compliance with company safety and performance requirements.
• Incident Investigation: Lead root cause analyses for major incidents or near misses; ensure corrective actions are completed and communicated.
• Emergency Response: Oversee emergency preparedness planning, testing, and coordination with local agencies.
• Policy Development: Update and standardize enterprise EHS policies, procedures, and training programs.
• Leadership Mentorship: Coach and develop plant-level EHS teams and operational leaders to strengthen local safety ownership.
• Employee Engagement: Foster workforce participation through safety committees, recognition programs, and open dialogue.

A strategic and hands-on EHS leader with deep experience in manufacturing environments. You’re passionate about safety leadership, continuous improvement, and cultural transformation. You know how to balance regulatory precision with people-focused engagement—building trust, accountability, and momentum across every level of the business.

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.

• Proven experience leading multi-site safety programs and cross-functional teams.
• Frequent interaction with operations teams, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Expertise in OSHA 29 CFR 1910, ISO 45001, NFPA, RCRA, and EPA compliance.
• Required use of PPE and participation in site safety inspections and risk assessments.
• Split between office and manufacturing environments with regular floor presence.
• Recognized for building high-performing safety cultures through innovation and engagement.
• Based in High Point, NC with routine travel (25–40%) to regional manufacturing sites.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management abilities.
• CSP, ASP, CHST, or ISO 45001 Lead Auditor certifications preferred.
• Associate degree with 10+ years, bachelor’s degree with 8+ years, or master’s degree with 6+ years of EHS experience in manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Strong data-driven decision-making and performance reporting skills.