Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

The Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Manager leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the EHS programs at our fluid dairy manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for ensuring full regulatory compliance with occupational health, safety, and environmental laws while cultivating a strong, proactive safety culture and driving sustainability initiatives. The EHS Manager partners with plant leadership, operations, maintenance, and quality teams to ensure safe, clean, and compliant operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Health & Safety:

• Oversee site compliance with OSHA standards, industry best practices and meet organizational goals for overseeing the Safety Management Operating System (SMOS)
• Conduct incident investigations and lead root cause analysis and corrective action implementation
• Provide site-specific safety training and development across all teams
• Involvement in daily huddle meetings to provide a safety department presence and message
• Develop individual- and plant-focused SMART goals from high-level initiatives
• Daily walkthroughs to ensure boots on the ground with a focus on behavior and adherence to safe work practices
• Engaging with personnel to promote worker participation in proactive safety
• Review and prioritize Open Action Items and update status
• Review and follow up of near misses and hazard recognition in the facility
• Review weekly Supervisor Audits and ensure that follow-up actions are added to the Action List in Teams and addressed
• Oversee and facilitate the implementation of safety programs and procedures
• New Employee Safety Orientations
• Implement the health and safety program requirements at the facility
• Assisting with the development of Lockout/Tagout procedures
• Perform proactive safety functions
• Audit completion of the required safety documentation like pre-shift inspections on PITs
• Develop Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) for plant operations
• Develop One Point Lessons as necessary
• Oversee Monthly Safety Committee Meeting
• Ensure that OSHA 300 log is current and properly maintained
• Identify and Implement Weekly Toolbox Topics
• Perform and document Monthly Safety Manager Compliance Tasks
• Provide input on projects and expansions

Environmental Compliance:

• Ensure facility compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations (EPA, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, RCRA, etc.).
• Manage environmental permits including air, wastewater, stormwater, and waste management.
• Conduct routine site inspections, environmental audits, and risk assessments.
• Develop, implement, and monitor environmental programs including spill prevention, waste reduction, and recycling initiatives.
• Prepare and submit regulatory reports (e.g., Tier II, TRI, DMRs, annual emissions inventory).
• Liaise with local and federal environmental agencies as needed.
• Serve as the site’s environmental subject matter expert during inspections and audits.
• Maintain accurate records of all environmental documentation, permits, and compliance activities.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to incorporate environmentally sound practices in day-to-day operations.
• Lead environmental incident investigations and root cause analysis.
• Develop and deliver environmental compliance training to plant personnel.
• Support sustainability goals related to energy use, water conservation, and waste reduction.

Qualifications:

Work within a union environment among a cross-disciplinary population. Must be able to work individually and in a team setting. Organize and manage time and competing priorities. Flexibility to train and meet with staff overnight or afternoon shifts. On-call 24/7/365 with duties shared among coworkers. The team includes technical and administrative managers, engineers, trade professionals, administrators, financial professionals, and laboratory scientists. The above requirements represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations are available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education and experience:

• A BS degree in Safety Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, Sciences, Business, Health or in a related field. MS in EHS or an MBA degree is preferred.
• Five plus years’ experience in manufacturing or industrial setting preferred
• Deep understanding of legal health and safety guidelines

• Understanding of environmental regulations and good practices
• Ability to produce reports and develop/manage relevant policies
• Good knowledge of data analysis and risk assessment
• Excellent organizational and motivational skills
• Outstanding attention to detail and observation ability
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities
• Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the health, safety, and environmental field.
• Collaborative problem solver who understands the complexities of a manufacturing environment
• Expected to take a hands-on approach and build relationships with leaders and employees throughout the organization

Certifications (preferred but not required):

• Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
• Certified Environmental Manager (CEM)
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Associate Safety Professional (ASP)

Confidentiality:

The EH&S Manager may be exposed to and entrusted with confidential information relative to production methods, customers, and company strategy.

Management Responsibility:

The EH&S Manager is a support function role that operates under the general direction of the Senior Director of EHS & PSM Compliance.

Work Environment

The EH&S Manager will support all facets of EHS at the facility including the plant and office environment. Must be capable of operating standard office equipment and seeing, grasping hold, walking, climbing, bending, stretching, and lifting up to 40 lbs. At times immersed in the plant production environment working near moving mechanical parts, corrosive chemicals, high-speed conveyors, and processing equipment where temperatures fluctuate, floors may be wet, and noise is a constant factor.

Pay: $75k-$90k/yr.*

*The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

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