Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive EHS policies, procedures, and programs aligned with OR DEQ & OSHA, and industry best practices.
• Manage environmental permits, reporting, waste management, air and water compliance, and hazardous materials handling specific to timber processing and uses of adhesives/finishes.
• Lead site audits, inspections, and regulatory inspections; prepare corrective action plans and track closure.
• Establish and maintain a site-wide safety management system; set annual EHS goals and metrics (leading and lagging indicators).
• Lead risk assessments (Job Hazard Analyses, Change Management / Management of Change) for new processes, equipment, and product formulations.
• Oversee incident investigations (near-misses, injuries, property damage) with root-cause analysis and corrective actions; track trends and drive prevention.
• Conduct safety trainings (new hire orientation, task-specific training, LOTO, confined spaces, machine guarding, ergonomics, forklift, PPE, etc.) and toolbox talks; maintain training records.
• Collaborate with engineering and production to develop, monitor and control the procedures for fall protection, equipment guarding, dust control, ventilation, and housekeeping to minimize fire risk and exposure.
• Develop and maintain emergency response plans, fire protection strategies, spill response, and business continuity plans; conduct drills and coordinate with local authorities.
• Maintain EHS records, SDS library, incident databases, and regulatory calendars; ensure data integrity and accessibility for audits.
• Build a sustainable safety culture through leadership presence on the floor, mentorship of supervisors, and transparent communication of EHS performance.
• Partner with HR and production for workers’ compensation administration support, return-to-work programs, and ergonomics initiatives.
• Interface with suppliers, contractors, and customers on EHS expectations, permits, inspections, and compliance documentation.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, cost reductions related to EHS programs, and alignment with corporate sustainability goals (e.g., emissions reductions, waste diversion).
• Prepare and present regular EHS performance reports to leadership, including risk registers, corrective action statuses, and audit results.
• Lead the site EHS team (coordinators, specialists, or contractors) and EHS committees; delegate responsibilities while maintaining accountability.
• Collaborate with maintenance and operations to integrate safety and environmental considerations into daily plan, preventive maintenance, and capital project reviews.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Health, Environmental Science, Engineering, or related field; advanced degree or relevant certifications preferred.
• Experience: 5+ years of progressive EHS leadership experience, preferably in manufacturing or wood products, mass timber, or lumber operations; experience with wood dust, adhesives, coatings, or related chemical processes is a plus.
• Certifications: Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Board Certified Safety Engineer (BCSE), or CIH preferred; additional certifications (OSHA 30/10, LEAN/6S, ISO 45001) beneficial.
• Knowledge: Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local EHS regulations; experience with permits, reporting, incident investigations, and training development.
• Skills: Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities; strong communication and leadership skills; proficiency in risk assessment tools (HIRA, JSA/Job Hazard Analysis, HAZOP), incident management, and data analytics.