Health and safety Jobs in Chicago, IL

Environmental Health Safety Manager

Location: On-site in Chicago, IL (relocation assistance available)

About the Opportunity

Our client, an industry-leading manufacturer supplying food ingredients to global brands, is investing heavily in next-generation safety and sustainability initiatives across its North American footprint. They are seeking an Environmental Health Safety (EHS) Manager to champion a zero-incident culture at their flagship Chicago facility. In this high-impact role, you will guide plant leadership, mentor passionate teams, and shape programs that keep people safe and operations compliant while supporting exciting growth plans and new product launches. If you thrive at the intersection of hands-on problem-solving and strategic influence, this is your platform to make a difference.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead site-wide EHS strategy, acting as the primary advisor to senior plant leadership and driving continuous improvement metrics.
• Identify, assess, and control workplace hazards through formal risk assessments, corrective action plans, and rigorous follow-up.
• Own compliance programs for OSHA, EPA, USDA, FDA, and City of Chicago requirements, ensuring audit-ready documentation at all times.
• Coordinate emergency response, incident investigations, and root-cause analyses, translating findings into preventive measures and safety training.
• Administer the workers’ compensation program in partnership with HR and insurance carriers, targeting claim reduction and cost control.
• Develop and deliver engaging safety, industrial hygiene, and environmental trainings for all levels of staff.
• Maintain cloud-based EHS data systems, dashboards, and KPI reports for local and corporate leadership.
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, and operations on capital projects to embed safety-by-design and sustainable practices.
• Represent the facility during corporate, customer, and regulatory audits, fostering a culture of transparency and trust.

Skill Set & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive EHS leadership in a manufacturing or food-processing environment.
• Working knowledge of USDA, FDA, HACCP, and BRC standards; CSP, CIH, CHMM, or similar credentials a plus.
• Demonstrated success reducing TRIR and workers’ comp costs through data-driven programs.
• Strong communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills with the confidence to influence at all organizational levels.
• Proficiency with MS Office and cloud-based EHS management systems; ability to analyze trends and present insights clearly.
• Capacity to handle objects weighing up to 50 pounds on an intermittent basis, navigate vertical spaces using step stools or ladders, and function in food manufacturing settings where personal protective gear is mandatory.
• Occasional travel (<10 %) for conferences, benchmarking, or sister-site support.

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary, performance bonus, and full benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401k with match).
• High visibility to corporate leadership and influence over multi-site safety strategy.
• Modern plant, cutting-edge capital projects, and an unwavering commitment to employee wellbeing.
• Career progression pathways within a growing, global organization.
• A mission-driven culture that values helping others, doing the right thing, and striving for excellence.