Environmental Health and Safety Leader

ILLES Foods Job Description

Job Title: Environmental Health and Safety Leader

Reports To: Director of Manufacturing

FLSA: Permanent Full Time Exempt On-Site

About Us:
Specializing in custom-crafted culinary solutionsfrom beverage bases and sauces to marinades and seasoningsILLES Foods has partnered with food service chains manufacturers and retailers across the U.S. since 1927. Our Food Innovation expertise creativity and speed to market combined with a laser focus on customer experience make us a key partner in product development. As a family-owned woman-run business our growth is fueled by deeply held values: operating with integrity maintaining intentional curiosity and strong relationship building through the power of partnership. At ILLES Foods we strive to be the ingredient that elevates food and enriches the lives of our partners internal and external.

Job Summary:
The EHS Leader is responsible for leading environmental health and safety initiatives to ensure a safe compliant and sustainable workplace. This role partners closely with operations quality and leadership teams to define and achieve key safety goals. The EHS Leader designs and improves digital systems for training documentation and reporting making safety resources accessible and actionable across the organization.

Acting as a trusted guide rather than an enforcer this position fosters a positive safety culture while ensuring regulatory compliance with OSHA Tier II wastewater hazardous waste and related programs. The EHS Leader oversees commissioning training and performance of water and waste systems conducts safety audits and leads investigations using root cause analysis. They develop and improve SOPs programs and training while monitoring industrial hygiene PPE and sustainability practices in waste water and energy use. The ideal candidate is a collaborative technologically savvy leader who earns respect by working side-by-side with teams driving continuous improvement and influencing without authority. They will manage reporting permits and licenses; lead inspections and corrective actions; track and analyze performance metrics; and stay current on evolving EHS regulations and best practices to safeguard both people and the environment.

This role oversees the environment health and safety of partners in two plants located within a few miles of each other. Partners conduct themselves in a manner that is aligned with Illes Foods Core Values: Operate with Integrity Stay Intentionally Curious and Believe in the Power of the Partnership.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with management to define and support EHS goals- e.g. Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) Days Away Restricted or Transferred (DART) and Near Misses.

• Develop maintain and continuously improve digital systems for safety training documentation and reporting to enhance accessibility across teams.

• Work side-by-side with operations quality and leadership teams to solve problems and advance shared goals.

• Be seen as a guide and resource rather than an enforcer fostering a positive and respectful safety culture. Manage compliance and reporting for all EHS programs and permits (OSHA Tier II wastewater hazardous waste etc.).

• Responsible for managing the water and waste System commissioning and training mentoring development and reviewing performance to ensure that the efficient cost-effective utilization of the wastewater system is achieved and maintained.

• Create and/or improve Standard Operating Procedures Safety training EHS programs and initiatives.

• Conduct Safety Audits and oversee Safety Audits performed by partners.

• Investigate incidents using Root Cause Analysis and the 5 Whys methodology.

• Lead EHS training inspections and corrective action planning for safety and environmental compliance.

• Collaborate cross-functionally to improve sustainability in waste energy and water use.

• Conduct industrial hygiene monitoring and report findings with recommended actions.

• Oversee safety protocols incentive programs and incident investigations.

• Prepare and maintain EHS reports documentation permits and licenses for internal use and regulatory agencies.

• Stay current on EHS regulations and best practices; Track analyze and report EHS performance metrics.

• Lead investigations of accidents near misses and environmental release; identify root causes and implement corrective action.

• Oversee selection distribution and maintenance of personal protective equipment and safety systems.

• Occasional travel between facilities urgent care support of partner needs.

• Own annual OSHA required workplace testing organization wide.

• Perform additional duties as assigned; regular attendance is required.
  

Required Key Skills and Qualifications:

• Strategic Problem Solving Ability to identify EHS issues and develop effective compliant solutions working cross functionally.

• Analytical & Critical Thinking Use logic and reasoning to evaluate best approaches to health safety and environmental challenges.

• Risk-Based Decision Making Assess risks and benefits to make sound compliant decisions. Minimize liability and enhance workplace safety.

• Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement Track and assess safety performance to drive improvements and ensure regulatory compliance.

• Leadership Communication (Speaking & Active Listening) Effectively convey safety policies and respond to concerns across departments.

• Influence Without Authority Earn trust and respect by modeling safe practices listening actively and partnering across all levels of the organization.

• Technologically savvy with advanced mastery of Microsoft 365 (Excel SharePoint Teams PowerPoint etc.) and able to design user-friendly systems that improve team access to safety documentation dashboards training and reporting.

• Collaborative and approachable acting as a guide supporter and facilitator on safety mattersearning respect by partnering with employees at all levels.

• Detail-oriented and analytical able to assess risk investigate issues and implement effective solutions that enhance both safety culture and compliance.

Experience Education and Certifications:

Education: Bachelors degree preferred (EHS Occupational Safety Environmental Science Food Science or related field).

Experience:

• 35 years in a manufacturing environment; food industry experience (HACCP FSMA) strongly preferred.

• 5 years of experience facilitating and leading EHS programs and processes.

• Preferred experience interfacing with regulatory agencies.
  
  Certifications & Training:

• Required: OSHA 30 First Aid/CPR/AED.

• Preferred: Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST) Certified Health and Safety Official (CSHO) ASP CSP CIT.

• Professional Development: Sponsorship available for advanced certifications. Associate Safety Professional (ASP) Certified Safety Professional (CSP) Certified Instructional Trainer(CIT). Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

• Ability to crouch and bend.

• Ability to stand continuously

• Bend stoop climb reach above shoulders crouch push and pull frequently

• Use feet hands wrists arms and shoulders constantly.

• Work while standing on a 7-step ladder with rails.

• Temperature variation of 55 to 110 degrees

What We Offer:
We are a core-value driven inclusive team that values innovation growth and impact. We offer career development mentorship competitive pay and comprehensive benefitsincluding medical dental vision 401(k) with immediate match HSA EAP life disability and more!

Disclaimer:
The job description provides a general overview of the work not a detailed list of all tasks and skills. Reasonable accommodation is available for individuals with disabilities as required by law. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a health or safety risk. Employees must follow job-related instructions and perform additional duties as per federal and state laws. The listed requirements are the minimum needed to perform the job effectively. Employment is at-will meaning it can be terminated at any time. ILLES Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (M/F/D/V)