Midwest Regional Safety Manager

Regional Safety Manager

Position Summary

Responsible for leading and executing regional Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs across multiple sites. This role drives compliance with OSHA/EPA/DOT requirements, builds a proactive safety culture, reduces risk through audits and investigations, and partners with site and corporate leadership to improve safety performance and operational readiness.

Core Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and oversee regional EHS strategies, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (OSHA, EPA, DOT).

Drive a strong safety culture through leadership, coaching, and behavior-based safety practices across all sites in the region.

Lead and conduct incident investigations (including near-misses and first aids) using root-cause analysis methods (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone) to identify systemic issues and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

Conduct EHS compliance audits, risk assessments, and job hazard analyses (JHA) at regional facilities to identify and mitigate hazards.

Coordinate and deliver safety training for employees at all levels, including emergency response, hazardous materials handling, equipment safety, and behavior-based safety.

Partner with site leadership, operations teams, and external agencies (including regulatory bodies) to ensure consistent safety practices and compliance.

Develop and regularly test site-specific Emergency Action Plans (EAP) and crisis response procedures.

Evaluate and approve new equipment, processes, and materials from an EHS perspective before implementation.

Facilitate regional and site-level safety committees, empowering employees to actively participate in the safety program.

Support the corporate EHS team with the rollout of company-wide initiatives and systems within the region.

Collaborate with Human Resources, Legal, and Operations to address complex employee relations matters related to safety and compliance.

Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies during inspections, inquiries, and reporting.

Analyze regional safety metrics and trends (e.g., TRIR, DART, LTIR) to identify risk, measure program effectiveness, and present recommendations to senior leadership.

Education and Experience

7–10 years of progressive experience in Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS), including 3+ years in a management or multi-site role.

Master’s degree in occupational health and safety or a related field.

Professional certification such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or equivalent.

Hard Skills

OSHA (General Industry 1910), EPA, and DOT regulatory compliance and reporting.

Incident investigation and root-cause analysis using structured methods (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone).

Risk assessment and hazard control using JHA/JSA and the hierarchy of controls.

Safety data analysis, KPI reporting (leading/lagging indicators), and advanced Excel and/or EHS platforms.

Industrial hygiene fundamentals, including exposure monitoring for chemical, physical, and biological hazards.

Ergonomic assessments and recommendations to reduce musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk.

Soft Skills

Leadership and influence: Ability to inspire and influence change across all levels of the organization, from front-line employees to senior executives, without direct authority.

Communication and interpersonal skills: Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, to diverse audiences.

Problem-solving and critical thinking: Pragmatic, analytical approach to identifying problems, evaluating options, and implementing sustainable solutions.

Resilience and adaptability: Thrive in a fast-paced, multi-site environment; manage competing priorities and adapt to changing business needs.

Coaching and mentoring: Passion for developing others and building the safety capabilities of teams and leaders you support.