Environmental Health and Safety Manager - Verdant Specialty Solutions, Inc.

About Verdant Specialty Solutions

Verdant Specialty Solutions is a global specialty chemical company. Its customers include world-leading personal care and home care brands, energy solutions providers, and industrial companies. Verdant’s vision is to be the go-to provider of batch specialty surfactant-based chemistry for applications in the consumer and industrial markets. Based in Houston, the company has nine locations in the US and Europe. Verdant’s international team of 280 employees are committed to safety, quality, and supply reliability.

Why Join Verdant?

Opportunities for growth Verdant is a fast-growing company that has the spirit of a small business. The company was formed in May 2021, so every employee plays an important role in culture and performance. It offers a dynamic ‘start up’ atmosphere with opportunities for professional growth.

Committed to safety Despite having the spirit of a small business, Verdant rivals larger companies in its commitment to safety. Verdant prides itself on industry-leading environmental, safety, health and quality standards. At Verdant, there is no priority higher than safety

About the position Manage the health, safety and environmental regulatory and compliance functions and drive environmental and safety performance improvement at the University Park plant.

Essential Job Responsibilities :

• Provide guidance in preparation and submit required reports and notifications to local, state, and federal agencies. These reports include Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), IEPA emissions inventories, waste generation summaries, wastewater discharge monitoring reports, and the various state agency environmental incident compliance and/or fees reports.  Ensures required Environmental activities are performed and documented, including required inspections and training.  Ensures Verdant procedures and practices are met.
• Reviews projects, changes and activities to ensure HSE issues are identified and addressed.  Ensures HSE incidents are adequately addressed. Ensures that management and governmental agencies are timely notified of all environmental incidents.  Primary contact with IEPA and U.S. EPA on regulatory issues.  Implements programs to ensure cost effective risk recognition and achievement of environmental goals. Participates in and leads investigations.  Review Capital Project scopes and MOC requests for HSE implications and functions as a liaison with Corporate HSE in implementing Verdant’s HSE practices.
• Conducts internal regulatory compliance audits and manages external audits conducted by regulatory agencies. Establish and maintain working relationships with local environmental agencies and with area chemical industries
• Keeps current with OSHA and Environmental requirements and regulations.  Audit off site waste disposal and recycling operations to assure that they are operating in an environmentally responsible manner, minimizing potential liabilities.
• Supports and promotes company values such as Responsible Care, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. Provides guidance in developing environmental plant procedures or plans in alignment with EPA Clean Air Act’s (CAA), Risk Management Plan (RMP), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Emergency Planning and Community Response Act (EPCRA), SARA, Clean Water Act (CWA) Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3), Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Oil Pollution Act (OPA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA) and Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), and corresponding IEPA regulations. Establish systems to meet requirements of all applicable environmental regulations and environmental permits and train the organization on these requirements such as RCRA (i.e., hazardous waste) (40 CFR §265.16) and Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan (40 CFR §112.7). 
• Support and advise Plant Management team in short and long term HSE compliance planning process. Participate in Plant Management team meetings.  Direct clean up and mitigate potential environmental spills. 
• Support / adhere to all quality system requirements, including ISO 9001, European Federation for Cosmetic Ingredients (EFfCI), Good Manufacturing Practices and Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), consistent with Manufacturing Excellence and HSSE Management Systems as it relates to this position
• Manage site HSE Training Programs including eSafety computerized Training and monthly live safety training presentations.

Requirements

• Minimum Bachelors Degree (B.S.) in Chemical, Mechanical, Civil or Environmental Engineering or in a Science disciplinary area such as Chemistry or Biology from a four-year college or university, or equivalent combination of education and experience in engineering with process experience. 
• Extensive experience in HSE area may also be considered in lieu of education.  Specific education or training in Process Safety Management, Regulatory Management in air, hazardous waste and wastewater areas is a plus.
• Strong chemical and process background which enables the person to lead, develop, and review the technical and regulatory requirements for the plant. 
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in an industrial setting within the chemical industry, but 7+ years of experience is preferred.
• Excellent leadership skills
• Strong aptitude in interpretation and implementing existing and new regulations
• Ability to establish written procedures needed to implement OSHA and EPA regulations
• Good understanding of Industrial Hygiene and Behavioral Safety
• Strong permitting experience with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)
• Good understanding of environmental regulations and compliance requirements and governmental audit processes
• Strong Air, Hazardous/Special Waste and Wastewater regulatory knowledge and experience preferred
• Familiarity with batch and continuous processing a plus
• Good understanding of HSE Management Systems designed to promote continuous improvement in environmental processes – especially ISO 14001 and ISO 45001
• Working knowledge of applicable OSHA and EPA regulations
• Good understanding of  internal and external audit procedures and incident investigation techniques
• Demonstrated negotiation and problem solving skills
• Ability to produce results on own and through others
• Creative problem-solving abilities at strategic functional and technical levels
• Strong organizational skills
• Critical thinking and technical writing capabilities
• Ability to perform a variety of duties and multi-task in a matrix organization
• Ability to work in a fast paced, multiple project, shifting priorities environment
• Accepts responsibility for the direction, control, and/or planning of an activity
• Deals with people at different levels beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Other projects and activities that occur from time to time.

HSSE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain high HSSE culture in the University Park site.
• Reviews activities to ensure Environmental issues are addressed adequately.
• Follow all site safety rules and procedures.
• Ensure that Health, Safety & Environment standards are observed and maintained throughout facility.
• Assume other responsibilities as defined in 12-45 (UP), HSSE Roles and Responsibilities procedure.

Benefits

• Competitive and comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits through Cigna.
• Generous matching 401k Plan
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account with employer contribution and yearly roll over (cannot be combined with FSA)
• Health advocacy and services
• Company paid life insurance
• Company paid short term disability insurance
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Other company paid programs including identity theft resolution, travel assistance, will preparation, discounts on gym membership and equipment, massage therapy, nutrition programs and smoking cessation.

EOE AA M/F/Vets/Disabled -- http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf