Ehs In The Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

As one of the fastest-growing and most exciting brands in the industry, Crash Champions is the largest founder-led multi-shop operator (MSO) of high-quality collision repair service in the U.S. The company, which also operates the growing Crash Champions LUXE | EV Certified brand of highline and luxury EV repair centers, services customers at more than 650 state-of-the-art locations in 38 states across the U.S. Crash Champions was founded in 1999 as a single Chicago repair center by industry veteran and 2023 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Midwest award winner Matt Ebert. For more than 25 years, our vision has been anchored by the belief that delivering superior collision repair service is about People First. Welcome to Crash Champions. We Champion People. 

JOB PURPOSE: The Regional EHS Manager is responsible for leading and executing environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs across multiple locations within designated markets. This role is based out of Crash Champions headquarters located at 601 Oakmont Lane, Westmont, IL 60559, and requires extensive travel to ensure consistent implementation of EHS standards. The position ensures regulatory compliance, drives a proactive safety culture, and partners closely with operations leadership to reduce risk, improve performance, and support business growth.

This role embodies the EHS department's core values of Safety, Quality, Ownership, Integrity, Service, and Team (SQOISR) and requires a highly organized, self-directed leader who can operate effectively in both field and mobile environments while delivering practical, business-aligned solutions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Lead and manage EHS programs across multiple locations, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Conduct and oversee safety inspections and EHS observations (onsite and virtual), documenting findings and preparing clear, actionable reports.
• Travel extensively (up to 80%) to regional locations to perform audits, inspections, and provide hands-on operational support.
• Partner with General Managers, Director of Operations, and other leaders to develop, implement, and track corrective actions.
• Coach and support operations teams to strengthen safety performance and accountability through practical, sustainable solutions.
• Lead and/or support incident management processes, including investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions.
• Actively manage workplace incidents and injuries, ensuring timely response, proper care coordination, and early intervention to support recovery and minimize unnecessary recordable incidents in alignment with regulatory guidelines.
• Participate in regulatory agency interactions and support compliance inspections and follow-up activities.
• Partner cross-functionally (including HR and Legal) to support workers' compensation management, injury prevention, and return-to-work efforts.
• Manage and oversee shop-level audit programs, including reviewing submissions, ensuring quality and consistency, and providing feedback.
• Assign and communicate monthly audit focus topics and support locations in execution and continuous improvement.
• Act as a subject matter expert (SME) for EHS-related topics, providing guidance, training, and support to field leadership.
• Develop, implement, and monitor EHS policies, programs, and initiatives aligned with corporate standards.
• Analyze safety metrics, audit results, and trends to drive continuous improvement and reduce incidents.
• Oversee monthly safety audit reviews, ensuring completion, accuracy, and follow-through on action items.
• Support new acquisitions by leading EHS onboarding, compliance setup, and training.
• Ensure compliance with hazardous waste regulations, safety training requirements, medical surveillance, and recordkeeping standards.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and implement scalable solutions across the region.
• Prepare and deliver reports, dashboards, and recommendations to leadership.
• Ensure consistency and standardization of EHS practices across all locations.
• Utilize EHS systems and tools (Excel, Smartsheet, and other platforms) to manage data, reporting, and communication.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational goals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of progressive EHS experience, including multi-site regional management experience.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and environmental compliance standards.
• Demonstrated understanding of hazardous waste characterization and management.
• Knowledge of industrial hygiene principles, including hazard recognition, exposure assessment, and control methods.
• Experience in safety management systems and environmental management programs.
• Experience with incident management, investigations, and root cause analysis.
• Experience in injury management and early intervention practices, with the ability to appropriately manage cases to reduce severity and support compliance.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification required.
• Proven ability to multitask effectively, balancing field responsibilities, travel, and administrative work.
• Ability to work from a mobile office environment while traveling and remain responsive and productive.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to independently prioritize and manage multiple locations and competing demands.
• Ability to serve as a subject matter expert, providing clear guidance and support across a variety of EHS topics.
• Demonstrated professionalism, diplomacy, and the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Comfortable presenting and speaking in group settings, including training sessions, leadership meetings, and field engagements.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to build relationships, influence leaders, and work collaboratively with operations teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including reporting and presentations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) and EHS management systems.
• Ability to travel up to 80% local and air/ overnight; ability to work from the Westmont, IL corporate office when not traveling.

Preferred:

• Experience in the automotive collision repair or autobody industry strongly preferred.
• Experience in other high-risk industries such as construction, manufacturing, logistics, or industrial environments, with transferable skills in hazard recognition (e.g., chemical exposure, confined spaces, heavy equipment, lockout/tagout, fire prevention, and ergonomics).
• Professional certifications such as Board of Certified Safety Professionals credentials (e.g., CSP, ASP, CHMM) with current standing preferred.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, or rapid growth environments.
• Knowledge of hazardous waste regulations and environmental permitting.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and perform physical inspections in operational environments.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work around machinery and dust exposure as required.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills. You may be asked by your supervisor or managers to perform other duties.  Your performance will be evaluated in part based upon your performance of the job duties listed in this job description, as well as any job duties not specifically listed above that you may be asked from time to time to perform. The Company has the right to revise this job description at any time.

Crash Champions is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans' status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.

The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements and annual updates:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan with match
• Referral Bonus ("Cash From Crash")
• 5 Paid Holidays

We are committed to providing competitive compensation for this role. The actual offer will be based on various factors, including but not limited to: job related knowledge, skills, experience, relevant certifications and qualifications.

The compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.