HSE Manager

About the role

Responsible for leading and managing the site’s environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs to protect employees, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive continuous improvement in site performance. As a member of the Site Leadership Team, this role provides strategic and hands-on leadership in implementing EHS systems, training, risk-reduction initiatives, and compliance programs that support safe operations and environmental stewardship.

• Drive a proactive safety culture through employee engagement, leadership coaching, and behavioral safety initiatives.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and HR to integrate EHS into daily decision-making.
• Support business strategy to ensure all EHS directives, policies, and initiatives are effectively incorporated at the site level.
• Develop, implement, and execute EHS annual objectives & improvement plans in conjunction with site operations management.
• Develop appropriate strategies for implementation of new or revised policies and regulations in conjunction with site operations management.
• Manage all environmental permits and program requirements specific to the site.
• Lead the site’s ISO-14001 program including ongoing efforts to keep the site’s ISO certification.
• Conduct routine audits and inspections of the site, including machinery, equipment, and work practices, to verify compliance with corporate standards and regulatory requirements; partner with operations to implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Identify site EHS training needs, develop appropriate resources, and execute training sessions for employees and management staff as required.
• Organize and oversee site safety committee meetings.
• Lead or support incident investigations to identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and collaborate with corporate EHS on serious incidents as needed.
• Communicate EHS incidents and corrective actions in a timely, thorough, and effective manner.
• Partner with Human Resources to monitor the status of all open Workers Compensation claims and coordinate activities to minimize lost and/or restricted workdays.
• Manage expenses and budget of the EHS function for the site.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement corrective actions.
• Track and monitor site EHS Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and communicate trends to the Site Leadership Team and to the wider Kerry North America community as needed to drive performance.
• Maintain accurate EHS records and documentation to ensure compliance with corporate policies and regulatory requirements, including OSHA logs, incident reports, training records, inspection reports, and environmental permits.
• Liaise with various external agencies or resources (government agencies, group insurers, etc.).
• Lead the continuous improvement efforts for the site’s EHS programs and performance.

Qualifications and skills

• BS/MS in Occupational Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering (with a specialization in EHS or other related EHS discipline) AND at least 5 years EHS experience in a manufacturing setting (food industry preferred).
• Non-degreed candidates will be considered who have 9+ years of similar experience.
• Professional certification (ASP, CSP, CIH, etc.) preferred.
• In-depth working knowledge of EHS regulations, including OSHA and EPA.
• Working knowledge of state and local EHS regulations is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to influence leaders and employees at all levels of the organization.
• Experience leading incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action programs.
• Strong communication, training, and presentation skills.
• Experience managing regulatory inspections, audits, and compliance programs.
• Ability to analyze EHS metrics and use data to drive performance improvements.
• Strong organizational skills with an eye to detail.
• Experience in food manufacturing or a highly regulated manufacturing environment preferred.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $88,100 - $163,700 in Annual Salary. Kerry typically does not hire an individual at the top or near the top of the range, as we are a pay-for-performance company, and this range is set to continue to reward performance annually while in role. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The specific compensation offered to a candidate within the above range may be influenced by a variety of factors including skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition, this position is also eligible to earn a performance-based incentive compensation. Kerry offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, Employee Share Plan, Life, disability, and accident insurance, and tuition reimbursement.