Director, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) - Global

BW Packaging · Akron, OH · 2 wk ago

Management$140k–$160k/yrFull-time

About Us

BW Packaging is driving performance at the intersection of people, technology, and customer care. As part of the privately held Barry-Wehmiller family, we unite a global team of packaging experts with a clear purpose: People Who Care, Building Solutions that Perform. We take on our customers’ toughest challenges as our own — delivering both innovative and enduring solutions that set the standard for value and performance. Our strength comes from our people and the power of our brands — trusted names in packaging that are known worldwide for engineering excellence, application expertise, and lifetime commitment to customer success. Truly Human Leadership guides our belief that exceptional business results and profound respect for people together provide the foundation of enduring success. We are committed to forging lasting partnerships with our customers, earning their trust through integrity, expertise, and execution. With our full range of packaging solutions and long term partnership and service, we help customers achieve operational excellence today while building the future of packaging together.

Job Description

The Director, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) – Global, leads the development and execution of BW Packaging’s EHS strategy. The Director is responsible for developing, refining and administering a unified EHS program across the division. Ensures regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, consistent safety practices and a culture of care across all BW Packaging sites and operations. The Director partners with key functions such as Operations, Field Service and People team to embed safety into daily practices, drive continuous improvement, and ensure consistent standards and processes. The director also leads the Workers’ Compensation (US) strategy and execution, ensuring effective case management, cost control, and alignment with safety practices.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership: Develop, implement, execute and continuously improve the global EHS strategy aligned with business goals and culture expectations. Establish and standardize EHS governance models, policies, procedures, and best practices across all global sites and ensure consistent application. Advise executive leadership on EHS risks, trends, and regulatory impacts.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure compliance with global regulatory bodies including OSHA, EPA, PSC, EU REACH, EU Machinery Directive, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and local manufacturing safety regulations. Conduct global EHS audits, inspections, and risk assessments to verify adherence to standards and identify improvement opportunities. Monitor emerging regulatory requirements affecting manufacturing and implement proactive readiness plans. Oversee incident investigation report outs and ensure root cause corrective actions (RCCA) are completed and implemented.
Safety Program Management: Partner with BW Corporate safety, aligning with corporate-driven policies and initiatives and represent BW Packaging on Corporate safety calls. Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve safety programs (e.g., LOTO, arc flash protection, safe lifting & rigging, machine safety, fall protection, emergency response). Lead deployment and sustained execution of behavior-based safety, near miss reporting, and safety Gemba program. Develop and maintain centralized repository for safety-related documentation including, safety-related; policies, regulations, SOP’s, best practices, investigation findings & RCCA’s, metrics and global safety meeting agenda’s & actions. Ensure consistent adoption and execution of safety programs across sites, holding leaders accountable for implementation and follow-through. Drive reduction of workplace injuries, incidents, and occupational health risks. Monitor safety performance metrics and ensure transparency in reporting.
Environmental Program Management: Drive compliance with environmental regulations relevant to manufacturing (air emissions, water hazardous waste/waste management, wastewater discharge, chemical storage, stormwater, spill response). Oversee environmental permitting, reporting, and audits ensuring reporting is completed accurately and on time.
Workers Compensation Management (US): Effective claims management from start to finish including reporting, documentation, investigations, coordination with insurance carriers and legal, and communication with all parties. Return-to-work support including coordinating with leaders, team members and people team to develop modified duty or transitional work plans to bring team members back safely and quickly. Ensure all state and federal reporting timelines and state-specific regulations are met. Manage costs and risks by reviewing claims for accuracy, fraud concerns, or unnecessary costs working with carriers to negotiate reserves. Serve as the primary point of contact between the team member, insurer, legal and providers while always maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information professionally. Track and report costs and claim updates to executive leaders, including reserve increases.
Training & Culture Building: Develop and deliver Packaging-wide EHS training programs for team members, leaders, and contractors. Oversee vendor agreements for safety consultants and/or training providers. Ensure competency in required technical areas (hazardous materials, PPE, ergonomics, emergency response). Coach and mentor team members, operational and field service leaders, safety partners, and people team in applicable EHS expectations. Build a strong safety culture of safety ownership and proactive risk identification in daily operations emphasizing shared responsibility and preventive behaviors. Develop, lead and sustain engagement activities such as the monthly global safety meeting, site safety committees, recognition programs and behavior-based safety initiatives. Influence leaders and team members at all levels to model safety behaviors that foster a strong safety culture.
Performance Management & Reporting: Ensure compliance with all government agency reporting requirements (e.g. OSHA record keeping, local health and safety authority or labor inspector reporting). Establish global EHS KPIs and dashboards aligned to manufacturing metrics (e.g. TRIR, DART, near miss KPIs, environmental impact metrics, audit closure rates). Present global EHS performance reports and strategic recommendations to executive leadership. Develop and maintain centralized reporting systems to ensure visibility and consistency across all facilities.

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s degree required in safety, operations, engineering or related field.
10+ years of progressive EHS leadership experience, preferably in manufacturing or industrial environments.
Professional certifications, e.g., Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), NEBOSH International General Certificate (IGC) or NEBOSH Diploma, strongly preferred.
Demonstrated success developing global EHS programs and influencing safety culture across multiple sites and geographical cultures.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and implement standardized EHS systems in complex operational environments.
Deep understanding of global manufacturing safety standards and environmental regulations.
Significant experience with Workers’ Compensation.
Strong leadership and communication skills; ability to influence across diverse functions, levels and cultures.
Ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on engagement.
Flexibility to take on evolving responsibilities in response to business needs and strategic priorities.

Pay Range