About the role
Regional Safety Manager
Position Summary
Responsible for leading and executing regional Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs across multiple sites. This role drives compliance with OSHA/EPA/DOT requirements, builds a proactive safety culture, reduces risk through audits and investigations, and partners with site and corporate leadership to improve safety performance and operational readiness.
Core Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and oversee regional EHS strategies, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (OSHA, EPA, DOT).
- Drive a strong safety culture through leadership, coaching, and behavior-based safety practices across all sites in the region.
- Lead and conduct incident investigations (including near-misses and first aids) using root-cause analysis methods (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone) to identify systemic issues and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Conduct EHS compliance audits, risk assessments, and job hazard analyses (JHA) at regional facilities to identify and mitigate hazards.
- Coordinate and deliver safety training for employees at all levels, including emergency response, hazardous materials handling, equipment safety, and behavior-based safety.
- Partner with site leadership, operations teams, and external agencies (including regulatory bodies) to ensure consistent safety practices and compliance.
- Develop and regularly test site-specific Emergency Action Plans (EAP) and crisis response procedures.
- Evaluate and approve new equipment, processes, and materials from an EHS perspective before implementation.
- Facilitate regional and site-level safety committees, empowering employees to actively participate in the safety program.
- Support the corporate EHS team with the rollout of company-wide initiatives and systems within the region.
- Collaborate with Human Resources, Legal, and Operations to address complex employee relations matters related to safety and compliance.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies during inspections, inquiries, and reporting.
- Analyze regional safety metrics and trends (e.g., TRIR, DART, LTIR) to identify risk, measure program effectiveness, and present recommendations to senior leadership.
Education and Experience
- 7–10 years of progressive experience in Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS), including 3+ years in a management or multi-site role.
- Master’s degree in occupational health and safety or a related field.
- Professional certification such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or equivalent.
Hard Skills
- OSHA (General Industry 1910), EPA, and DOT regulatory compliance and reporting.
- Incident investigation and root-cause analysis using structured methods (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone).
- Risk assessment and hazard control using JHA/JSA and the hierarchy of controls.
- Safety data analysis, KPI reporting (leading/lagging indicators), and advanced Excel and/or EHS platforms.
- Industrial hygiene fundamentals, including exposure monitoring for chemical, physical, and biological hazards.
- Ergonomic assessments and recommendations to reduce musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk.
Soft Skills
- Leadership and influence: Ability to inspire and influence change across all levels of the organization, from front-line employees to senior executives, without direct authority.
- Communication and interpersonal skills: Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, to diverse audiences.
- Problem-solving and critical thinking: Pragmatic, analytical approach to identifying problems, evaluating options, and implementing sustainable solutions.
- Resilience and adaptability: Thrive in a fast-paced, multi-site environment; manage competing priorities and adapt to changing business needs.
- Coaching and mentoring: Passion for developing others and building the safety capabilities of teams and leaders you support.