Director, Environmental Health and Safety

Job Details

Description

Ruiz Foods has been family owned since 1964, is one of the largest Hispanic-owned companies in the country and is the proud maker of two #1 brands: El Monterey frozen Mexican food and Tornados roller grill taquitos in grocery stores and convenience stores across the US and Canada.

Are you looking for career development opportunities in an exciting company that cares about its team members and consumers alike? Come join our team and help us continue our industry-leading track record of growth, quality, and delicious food!

The Director of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is a senior-level individual responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs that ensure a safe, healthy, and environmentally responsible workplace. This position oversees team members working at each of the Ruiz Foods manufacturing locations (Florence, SC; Denison, TX; Dinuba, CA; Vernon, CA). The candidate is expected to these locations as necessary to support the Company’s EHS needs.

COMPENSATIONS: $170 - 200k/Year DOE

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategic Leadership and Direction:
  
  

Develop and implement comprehensive EHS policies and programs that comply with local, state, and federal regulations.

Set strategic goals and establish performance metrics to monitor and improve safety, health, and environmental performance.

Provide leadership and direction to the EHS team and other departments to foster a culture of safety and environmental stewardship.

• Compliance and Risk Management:
  
  

Ensure that the organization is in full compliance with OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and the 14 elements of Process Safety Management (PSM)

Conduct regular EHS audits, risk assessments, and accident investigations to identify potential hazards and implement corrective actions.

Manage EHS-related permits, licenses, and reports.

• Training and Development:
  
  

Develop and coordinate comprehensive training programs on EHS policies, procedures, and best practices for employees at all levels.

Foster continuous improvement by staying current with emerging EHS issues and technologies.

• Emergency Response Planning:
  
  

Develop and maintain emergency response plans and procedures

Lead emergency response efforts and coordinate with local authorities as needed.

• Sustainability Initiatives:
  
  

Drive sustainability initiatives consistent with Ruiz Foods’ goals, including waste reduction & energy efficiency.

Track and report on sustainability metrics and conduct periodic reviews to measure progress and identify improvement opportunities.

• Reporting and Communication:
  
  

Prepare and present regular reports on EHS performance, including incident statistics, audit findings, corrective and preventive actions, and progress on safety initiatives.

• Budget Management:
  
  

Develop and manage the EHS department budget, ensuring optimal allocation of resources to support safety and environmental programs.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Regular travel across various company sites on multiple U.S. time zones.
• Weekend or evening work may be required to address company needs, EHS issues, or emergencies.
• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Health and Safety, or a related field.
• 10 years of experience in EHS management within a manufacturing environment.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) certification preferred.
• Strong knowledge of EHS regulations and standards.
• Ability to interpret P&IDs a plus.
• Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive organizational change.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.