Environmental, Health, and Safety Manager in Decatur, Arkansas at United Petfood Producers USA Inc.

Location: 2577 AR-59, Decatur, AR
Job Type: Full-Time, On-Site

About United Petfood

United Petfood is a private label producer of high-quality dry and wet pet food, biscuits, and snacks. We are a Belgian family business with 25 high-tech pet kitchens across Europe and the United States.

Joining us means becoming part of an international, passionate, and driven team with one common goal: a healthy planet filled with healthy pets! We believe in building supportive, long-lasting partnerships both inside and outside our fast-growing family company. By working with high-quality ingredients and innovative technology, we create an environment where our employees can grow, develop, and help make thousands of pets happy worldwide.

Position Summary

The Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Manager is responsible for leading, developing, implementing, and continuously improving environmental, health, and safety programs at our Decatur, Arkansas manufacturing facility. This position ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations while promoting a proactive safety culture that protects employees, company assets, and the environment.

As a key member of the plant leadership team, the EHS Manager partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and Human Resources to identify and mitigate workplace hazards, strengthen safety performance, and integrate safe work practices into daily operations.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on, highly visible leader with strong manufacturing experience, technical safety expertise, and the ability to influence employees and leadership at all levels. This role requires a balance of regulatory knowledge, practical problem-solving, and a commitment to driving accountability and continuous improvement throughout the facility.

Duties & Responsibilities

EHS Leadership & Safety Culture

• Lead and manage all site-level environmental, health, and safety programs to ensure regulatory compliance and alignment with company standards.
• Develop and implement proactive safety strategies that reduce workplace risks, prevent injuries, and improve overall safety performance.
• Serve as a key member of the plant leadership team, providing guidance on safety, environmental compliance, and risk management.
• Partner with plant leadership to establish safety objectives, performance expectations, and accountability across all departments and shifts.
• Coach and support supervisors, team leads, and employees in identifying hazards, reinforcing safe work practices, and taking ownership of workplace safety.
• Maintain a strong presence on the production floor, providing real-time guidance and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Lead employee safety engagement initiatives, safety committees, and communication efforts to promote a positive and proactive safety culture.

Regulatory Compliance & Safety Programs

• Ensure compliance with applicable OSHA, EPA, Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
• Develop, implement, maintain, and periodically review written EHS policies, procedures, and programs.
• Oversee critical safety programs, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined space entry, machine guarding, electrical safety, fall protection, hazard communication, personal protective equipment (PPE), and powered industrial trucks.
• Manage combustible dust safety programs, including dust hazard assessments, housekeeping requirements, and appropriate prevention and mitigation controls.
• Conduct routine facility inspections, safety audits, Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), and risk assessments to identify hazards and ensure corrective actions are completed.
• Maintain OSHA injury and illness records, including OSHA 300, 300A, and 301 documentation, and complete required regulatory reporting.
• Serve as the primary site contact for regulatory inspections, audits, and compliance-related inquiries.
• Oversee contractor safety requirements, including orientation, safe work practices, and compliance with applicable site procedures.
• Support new equipment installations, process modifications, and capital improvement projects by evaluating EHS risks and ensuring appropriate safeguards are established.

Incident Investigation & Risk Management

• Lead investigations of workplace injuries, illnesses, near misses, property damage, and other safety-related incidents.
• Conduct root cause analyses and develop effective corrective and preventive actions to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
• Manage corrective action tracking, verification, and closure resulting from incidents, audits, inspections, and employee observations.
• Analyze incident trends, safety observations, and operational data to identify emerging risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with Human Resources and operational leadership on injury management, return-to-work coordination, and workers' compensation-related safety initiatives.
• Lead emergency preparedness and response planning, including evacuation procedures, emergency drills, and coordination with external emergency responders.
• Support industrial hygiene evaluations and occupational exposure assessments, including noise, dust, chemical, and ergonomic hazards.

Environmental Compliance & Sustainability

• Manage environmental compliance programs, including applicable air emissions, stormwater, wastewater, waste management, and hazardous material requirements.
• Maintain required environmental permits, inspections, records, and regulatory reporting.
• Oversee proper handling, storage, labeling, and disposal of hazardous and nonhazardous waste.
• Identify environmental risks and implement corrective measures to prevent spills, releases, and regulatory violations.
• Coordinate with external environmental agencies, consultants, and service providers as necessary.
• Support company sustainability initiatives focused on waste reduction, resource efficiency, and environmental performance.

Training, Auditing & Continuous Improvement

• Develop, coordinate, and deliver required EHS training for new hires, existing employees, supervisors, and contractors.
• Maintain accurate training records and ensure completion of required initial, refresher, and job-specific safety training.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and Quality to ensure safety requirements are integrated into standard operating procedures and daily work practices.
• Support compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), food safety requirements, and applicable site certification standards as they relate to EHS activities.
• Establish, monitor, and report key EHS performance indicators, including leading and lagging safety metrics.
• Prepare and communicate safety performance updates, audit findings, regulatory concerns, and improvement recommendations to plant leadership.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities that enhance employee safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain accurate and organized EHS documentation, regulatory records, inspection reports, and program materials.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Safety, Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field preferred; equivalent education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive EHS experience in a manufacturing environment, including demonstrated responsibility for safety programs and regulatory compliance.
• Experience in food or pet food manufacturing required.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to influence, coach, and hold operational leaders accountable for safety performance.
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA general industry regulations, EPA requirements, and applicable environmental and occupational safety standards.
• Hands-on experience managing LOTO, confined space entry, machine guarding, hazard communication, PPE, and other industrial safety programs.
• Experience conducting incident investigations, root cause analyses, risk assessments, and safety audits.
• Knowledge of environmental compliance requirements, including waste management, permitting, and regulatory reporting.
• Experience developing and delivering safety training to employees at all organizational levels.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications and experience maintaining compliance records, reports, and performance metrics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional safety certification such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), or Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM).
• OSHA 30-Hour General Industry training.
• Experience with combustible dust safety programs and dust hazard assessments.
• Experience supporting food manufacturing standards, including GMP, HACCP, FSMA, or GFSI-recognized certification programs.
• Experience managing environmental audits, regulatory inspections, and corrective action programs.
• Experience supporting safety initiatives across multiple production shifts.
• Familiarity with EHS management systems, incident tracking software, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build accountability and influence positive behavioral change.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage employees, supervisors, and senior leadership.
• Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to balance regulatory requirements with practical, effective solutions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proactive approach to hazard identification, risk reduction, and incident prevention.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate documentation, and meet regulatory deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments and with corporate leadership.
• Willingness to maintain a consistent presence on the production floor and actively participate in daily operations.
• Ability to make sound decisions and provide clear direction during emergency or high-risk situations.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Work is performed in both office and active manufacturing environments.
• Regular presence on the production floor is required, including exposure to noise, dust, moving machinery, and varying temperatures.
• Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs and ladders, bend, kneel, and access elevated work areas as necessary to conduct inspections and assessments.
• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment while in designated production areas.
• Flexibility to support safety activities, investigations, and operational needs across multiple production shifts, including occasional after-hours response when necessary.

Workplace Safety

• Demonstrate leadership and accountability in following all company safety policies and procedures.
• Ensure required safety documentation, training, inspections, and corrective actions are completed accurately and on time.
• Promote immediate reporting and appropriate response to safety concerns, near misses, injuries, and environmental incidents.
• Support compliance with applicable food safety, sanitation, and operational requirements.

Why Join Us?

At United Petfood, we believe in investing in our employees and providing opportunities for growth and development. As our EHS Manager, you will play a critical role in protecting our employees, strengthening our safety culture, and supporting safe, efficient operations at our Decatur manufacturing facility.

This position offers the opportunity to take ownership of site-wide EHS initiatives, partner directly with plant leadership, and make a meaningful impact within a growing international manufacturing organization.

We offer competitive pay, benefits, and a supportive work environment where your expertise, leadership, and contributions are valued.

Equal Opportunity Employer: United Petfood Producers USA Inc. is an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.