Senior EHS Manager
The Senior EHS Manager is responsible for leading and executing the Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) strategy for the Distribution Division in alignment with corporate EHS objectives. This role partners closely with divisional and regional leadership to drive a strong safety culture, ensure regulatory compliance, and continuously improve EHS performance across multiple distribution locations.
The role serves as a key liaison between Corporate EHS, senior divisional leadership, and field operations, providing strategic direction, hands-on support, and leadership in incident management, audits, training, and continuous improvement initiatives.
This role can be based in Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas or St. Louis.
Key Responsibilities
EHS Strategy & Leadership
- Lead execution of the Divisional EHS agenda in alignment with the corporate EHS strategy.
- Partner with divisional, regional, and branch leadership to drive EHS awareness, engagement, and accountability.
- Attend leadership and operational meetings to communicate EHS performance, risks, trends, and initiatives.
- Establish and maintain regular one-on-one meetings with the EHS Senior Director to review policy, procedures, performance, and personal development objectives.
- Maintain expert knowledge of applicable corporate, local, state, and federal EHS regulations (including OSHA, DOT, and environmental requirements).
- Develop, implement, and maintain programs, policies, and procedures to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance.
- Serve as the divisional point of contact for local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.
- Monitor emerging and changing regulations and proactively communicate impacts to senior leadership and Corporate EHS.
- Engage directly with field leadership on all OSHA Recordable, Lost Time, and DOT/Non-DOT vehicle incidents.
- Lead or actively participate in incident and accident investigations, ensuring thorough root cause analysis and corrective action development.
- Coach and train warehouse and operations leadership on effective investigation techniques and root cause methodologies.
- Partner with regional and branch leadership to implement corrective actions and prevent recurrence.
- Lead the EHS audit process for assigned locations within the division.
- Support operations teams in addressing audit findings and ensure corrective actions are completed within defined timelines.
- Track, analyze, and report EHS metrics and KPIs across the division.
- Collaborate with leadership to establish goals and drive measurable improvements in EHS performance.
- Clearly communicate EHS results, trends, and risks to leadership to drive alignment and accountability.
- Develop and deliver EHS training to reinforce environmental, health, and safety procedures and standards.
- Support EHS capability building and talent development within assigned regions.
- Assist in the development and rollout of division-wide EHS programs and practices.
- Design and implement regional training initiatives related to new or updated EHS programs and processes.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of existing EHS programs and processes and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
- Standardize EHS best practices through clear documentation, tools, and training to ensure consistent application across locations.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to align EHS process improvements with broader business and operational goals.
- Apply change management principles to guide teams through EHS process changes, ensuring adoption, sustainability, and long-term effectiveness.
- Provide EHS guidance and leadership to regional teams supporting acquisitions and new business development.
- Assess EHS risks and readiness and support integration efforts as needed.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, or a related field preferred
- Master’s degree or professional certifications (e.g., CSP, CIH, CHMM) a plus.
- 5+ years of progressive EHS experience in distribution, warehousing, manufacturing, logistics, or a similar operational environment.
- Demonstrated ex
