Director – Ehs

Description

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At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy. 

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis American Group, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Director of EHS, based in Buffalo, NY.

The Director, Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) is responsible for the development, implementation, and direction of LAG’s EHS programs and processes in order to ensure effective risk management and loss control, and a safe, healthy, and productive work environment. The EHS Director will lead all EHS activities by partnering with Plant Directors, Site EHS Managers, LUSA H/S Director, Groupe Lactalis EHS leaders and other cross-functional teams by offering tools, training, guidance and support for all teams to navigate EHS challenges effectively. 

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position:

· Develop EHS and Property Loss Prevention short- and long-term strategic plans that are in line with LUSA and Groupe H/S initiatives. Provide advice to senior management with respect to emerging trends, challenges and solutions in the areas of health, safety, regulatory affairs, case law technological developments, and best practices.

· Direct the development, implementation, communication, and management of EHS and Loss Prevention standards, programs, processes, and policies in order to ensure compliance with the Groupe Lactalis requirements, legal requirements and best practices. 

· Partner with SVP Manufacturing to define and implement LAG’s 3-5 Year Capex budget related to loss prevention, workplace safety and environmental control (Wastewater Treatment Plant, Particles Emission and Filtration, Dust Hazard Control, Ammonia Systems Controls, Process Safety Management).  Additionally, measures should be in accordance with insurance requirements (working in collaboration with the Groupe Lactalis H&S and Loss Prevention department) as well as any US and local regulations and requirements. Lead the Plants LTP’s on Capex related to all EHS matters.

· Partner with LUSA H/S Director and Groupe Lactalis EHS to manage LAG’s Business Continuity Assurance Program and Plant Audit program. Ensure site preparedness for Business Continuity and Plant Audit activities. Ensure compliance with all Groupe Lactalis standards. Provides updates to LUSA and Groupe Lactalis EHS leaders regarding KPI’s, audit results and associated action plans.

· Prioritize the elimination or reduction of TF1 and TF2 incidents through appropriate education, training, and rigorous safety measures.

· Partner with all LAG sites to ensure resources are available to manage and carry out quality EHS activities. Provide guidance and support to site EHS teams during the investigation of health and safety incidents. Responsible for leading the investigation of all major accidents and recommending future preventive measures.

· Support plant teams to implement an EHS and Loss Prevention management system based on continuous improvement (as ISO 45001 for example) in compliance with the Groupe Lactalis Standard. 

· Collaborate with leaders to develop key performance leading and Lagging indicators (KPI) to ensure all facilities meet or exceed all EHS and Loss Prevention policies, procedures, and programs, as well as annual safety audits and standardized scoring methods. Responsible for monitoring and reporting on KPI and audit results. Create defined action plans and provide routine updates regarding progress.

· Identify and anticipate EHS and Loss Prevention concerns, risks, and hazards in the organization’s operations and establish guidelines for protection from the hazards. 

· Provide leadership in the workers’ compensation process including analysis and reconciliation of health and safety programs (OSHA). Maintains contact with LAG workers compensation insurance carrier, schedules routine updates and routinely reports claims status to internal stakeholders. 

· Develop and implement audit tools (such as ISO standard(s)). Direct activities related to completion of audits performed by EHS Managers at all LAG plants. Partner with site management and EHS Managers to ensure standards are met, taking corrective action as required to close any gaps. Partner with site managers, site EHS Managers and Human Resources to address all training needs. 

· Owns the strategies and environmental control strategies (Wastewater Treatment Plant, Particles Emission and Filtration, Dust Hazard Control, Ammonia Systems Controls, Process Safety Management). Partners with LAG legal team and the LAG site teams by providing technical support related to Waste Treatment inquiries and projects. Responsible for leading all environmental investigations from government agencies (EPA, DEC, OSHA, etc).

· Owns and leads the environmental strategies that will reduce carbon emissions and improve water conservation. Serves as EHS representative on the CSR Committee. Drives initiatives across LAG to promote energy reduction, waste reduction and water conservation and other sustainability initiatives using budgetary planning and PDCA methodology. 

· Provide routine reporting, including updates on action plans and a monthly summary of all KPI’s related to EH&S to SVP of Manufacturing. 

Work Conditions: 

· Travel is required. Up to 50% of the time.

· Extended hours may be necessary depending on the project needs.

· To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, phone or, and / or allowance(s)    will be provided.

· To fulfill these responsibilities, a cell phone is required.

· Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities.

· This position requires physical presence in the office. 

· Demonstrate commitment to a safe working environment that promotes the health and well-being of all employees and that will further contribute to the Company’s overall performance and success. 

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education

· A bachelor's degree is required.

· Majors in safety,  environmental, or engineering are favored.

Experience

· 10+ years of related experience is required, including experience managing and leading safety programs and initiatives in a food manufacturing environment. 

· Experience supporting multiple manufacturing sites.

· Extensive experience managing sustainability initiatives, including water reduction, energy efficiency, waste reduction and carbon neutrality. 

Certifications and specific knowledge

· Certified Safety Professional Certification (CSP) 

· Extensive knowledge in OSHA, EPA and NFPA standards.

· Expertise in auditing. Ability to lead internal audits and train site auditors. 

· Excellent understanding of Incident Investigation/Root Cause Analysis.

· Comprehensive understanding of legislation, regulations, theory and case law related to EHS. Current knowledge of changes and innovations of H&S. Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of fire prevention and its standards is an asset.

· Ability to work effectively with multiple cross-functional teams and stakeholders with the ability to effectively influence others to action. 

Competencies

· Ability to prioritize, balance and manage multiple tasks simultaneously, adjust to changing priorities, and make decisions with speed and accuracy based on available information. 

· Highly organized, with a keen eye for detail.

· Excellent oral and written communication, presentation and negotiation skills.

· Exceptional analytical, problem-solving skills, with the ability to present complex solutions to technical and non-technical stakeholders across all organizational levels and diverse cultures and geographies.

· Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, specifically Excel. 

· Collaborative & pragmatic mindset.

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities.