Environmental Health & Safety Manager (Manufacturing & Distribution)

About the role

We are seeking an Industrial EHS Manager with hands-on experience in Cal/OSHA-certified industrial environments, particularly in dairy manufacturing and distribution. Reporting directly to the COO, this role involves managing EHS programs, collaborating with HR to manage driver safety, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve EHS programs across dairy manufacturing and distribution operations, ensuring compliance with Cal/OSHA, FDA, DOT, and environmental regulations.
• Partner with Distribution Management and HR to manage and continuously improve driver safety programs in accordance with DOT requirements, including oversight of safety practices for regional and route drivers.
• Be a visible, trusted partner on the floor—coaching teams, identifying risks, and driving real-time improvements.
• Champion a strong safety culture in environments that include wet processing areas, cold storage, high-speed production lines, and distribution operations.
• Conduct safety audits, risk assessments, and job hazard analyses across production, warehouse, and transportation functions.
• Investigate incidents and near misses with a focus on root cause and prevention—not just compliance.
• Promote a safety-first culture through engaging, practical safety training, including LOTO, machine guarding, ergonomics, confined space, PPE, and driver safety programs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that reduce injuries and elevate operational and transportation safety performance.
• Partner with Quality and Food Safety teams to support HACCP programs, GMPs, and SQF audit readiness.
• Support employee relations, workers' compensation, and return-to-work programs while contributing to broader compliance and people initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Food Science, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 4–6 years of hands-on EHS experience in industrial environments, specifically within food manufacturing and/or distribution
• Strong working knowledge of Cal/OSHA regulations and compliance requirements (required)
• Cal/OSHA-related training (IIPP, LOTO, confined space, hazard communication)
• Direct experience with HACCP principles and implementation in a food manufacturing environment
• Familiarity with SQF (Safe Quality Food) standards and experience working within an SQF- or GFSI-certified facility
• Demonstrated hands-on experience working directly on production floors and warehouse/logistics environments
• Experience conducting incident investigations, root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions
• Strong communication and influencing skills with the ability to engage frontline employees and leadership

Preferred Qualifications

• OSHA 30-hour (General Industry) professional certifications
• Cal/OSHA-related training (IIPP, LOTO, confined space, hazard communication)
• Food safety certifications such as HACCP certification, PCQI, or SQF Practitioner training
• Experience supporting SQF audits, GMP programs, and food safety compliance initiatives
• Experience in dairy processing environments (pasteurization, sanitation systems, cold chain logistics)
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus