Director, EHSS & Operational Excellence

Ergon is seeking a Director EHSS & Operational Excellence to set the vision and provide direction guidance and hands-on leadership for Environmental Health Safety Security and regulatory stewardship across Magnolia Marine Transport (MMT) and Ergon Marine Industrial Supply (EMIS). This leader elevates EHSS from meeting requirements to best-in-class safety performance-building a strong safety culture strengthening management systems and embedding risk-based decision-making into day-to-day operations.

The Director ensures continuous audit readiness and regulatory alignment while driving practical field-ready improvements that reduce risk and increase reliability. Partnering closely with operations leaders and frontline teams this role enables safe resilient and compliant 24/7 marine and industrial operations through coaching visible leadership and disciplined execution.

Ergon is a family-owned oil and gas company based in the Jackson MS area with facilities across the US. We are a great company with great pay and great benefits. Ergon Inc. is a relationship-driven company that values each employees willingness to learn and contribute to the team. We are family owned with locations throughout the world but we pride ourselves on maintaining a small company feel.

Key Accountabilities

• Own and continuously improve EHSS and compliance management systems across MMT and EMIS; build practical standards that work in the field.
• Ensure the Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) is implemented and continuously functions throughout management and the fleet.
• Serve as Company Audit Coordinator for internal and external audits (regulatory customer and third-party).
• Serve as Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) Program Coordinator; drive timely closure and verify effectiveness.
• Administer the Event Investigation Procedure; lead/oversee investigations root cause analysis and corrective actions to closure.
• Develop action items and implementation plans to address current and emerging laws regulations industry standards and customer requirements.
• Oversee training coordination to ensure required training is current effective and documented; deliver/coordinate training for crews shoreside teams and contractors.
• Strengthen emergency preparedness and response readiness; participate on the Incident Management Team and lead drills/after-action improvements.
• Develop maintain and improve the OPA 90 Vessel Response Plan and related response readiness.
• Serve in assigned security and compliance leadership roles including Company Security Officer (CSO) duties under the AWO Alternative Security Program Designated Person responsibilities and Qualified Individual awareness/training requirements.
• Oversee and support a team responsible for training environmental health safety compliance and vetting; develop capability and accountability.
• Partner with EMIS MMT and Ergon leadership to align EHSS/compliance requirements (contractor controls permits/inspections incident prevention) with business priorities.
• Remain informed and up-to-date on regulatory requirements industry standards and customer requirements through industry engagement and monitoring.

What Success Looks Like

• Audit-ready programs with timely CAPA closure and verified effectiveness.
• Reduced repeat events through systemic fixes and strong field engagement.
• Improved leading indicators (near-miss quality JSA/JHA execution training completion safety observations) alongside reduced serious incident potential.
• Strong regulator/customer confidence and consistent TSMS/management system execution.
• Clear usable procedures and training that improve frontline execution.

Minimum Qualifications

• College degree preferred (Safety Environmental Engineering Maritime or related) or equivalent experience.
• 5 years of experience in marine transportation operations or closely related field.
• 3 years of experience in a management or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated experience building and delivering effective training to frontline personnel.
• Strong working knowledge of management systems and continuous improvement practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to present to crews managers executives and external stakeholders.
• Strong computer skills and ability to use software tools to manage programs training and corrective actions.
• Strong working knowledge (development and implementation) of emergency management processes relevant to the industry.
• Valid drivers license; ability to travel routinely and respond to incidents as needed in a 24/7 operating environment.
• TWIC required (or ability to obtain/maintain immediately upon hire).

Preferred Qualifications

• 2 years of auditing experience (internal and/or external).
• 2 years of survey/inspection experience (vessel facility or comparable).
• Professional certification such as CSP/ASP (BCSP) CHMM CIH or comparable credential.
• Incident Command System (ICS) training (e.g. ICS 100/200/300).

Work Environment

• Blend of office and field settings including terminals/facilities shipyards and marine environments; PPE required in operational areas.
• Routine field presence required; work may involve heat/cold weather exposure noise uneven surfaces and other industrial hazards.
• Irregular hours and prompt response to emergencies may be required due to 24/7 operations.
• Travel and overnight stays required to support both EMIS and MMT operations.

Why Ergon

Ergon is a family-owned growth-oriented organization with a strong commitment to safe reliable operations and long-term relationships. This role offers broad visibility and meaningful impact across two businesses with the opportunity to build systems that make work safer and more efficient.