EH&S Manager

About us:

Valent BioSciences LLC is a worldwide leader in the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of biorational products for the agriculture, public health, and forestry markets. We have more than 60 years of experience bringing biorational products to market, and our products are used in sustainable operations in 95 countries around the world. Biorational products maximize plant quality, productivity, and sustainability.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical, Valent BioSciences LLC operates with the Sumitomo Spirit mindset, which means to benefit both self and others, recognizing that private and public interests are one and the same. It’s about contributing to society, as well as making a profit.

At Mycorrhizal Applications (MA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Valent BioSciences LLC, we are dedicated to sustainability by providing the agriculture, horticulture, landscaping, and forestry industries with efficient and effective microbial-based biorational solutions. As the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of mycorrhizal soil inoculants, MA researches, produces, and markets mycorrhizal fungi which accelerate plant performance by greatly increasing the surface absorbing area of roots, producing a healthier root system.

Located in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon, where an abundance of outdoor activities such as river rafting, fishing and hiking are right in our backyard and the Redwoods and breathtaking Oregon Coast are a short drive away, MA gives employees the opportunity to work in a close-knit, collaborative team on challenging and fulfilling work while living in a beautiful place with a strong sense of community.

Summary: The Environmental, Health & Safety Manager is responsible for managing the overall safety, health, and environmental activities with the primary goal of reducing loss and liability across all MA facilities. This position will develop and manage programs that ensure compliance with state, local and federal regulations as well as company and corporate requirements. It will assist in the company’s efforts to plan, implement, and manage the EHS and Responsible Care programs and to ensure compliance with the corporate and SCC EHS philosophy. The role will act as the manager of the overall EHS program with a focus on EHS excellence, compliance, continuous improvement and collaboration with the Valent Group facilities as well as ensure compliance with corporate programs (for example, Responsible Care policies) The position also works closely with staff at the St. Louis lab.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Manage or assist/advise with all Environmental, Health and Safety duties surrounding compliant operation of the MA facilities, operations, and staff.
• Model and promote an organizational culture that fosters EHS excellence through effective leadership and employee engagement.
• Implement and manage assigned company EHS programs (for example, hazard communication, hazard waste management, emergency response, laboratory operations, respiratory protection, hearing conservation, ergonomics, etc.) to ensure compliance with OSHA and applicable environmental standards at both facilities and in cooperation with other departments as applicable.
• Provide or coordinate all OSHA-mandated, company-required, and non-mandatory training to comply with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Oversee incident investigations, prepare, maintain and track required reports, both internal and to agencies as required. Identify and assign corrective actions in cooperation with applicable department management. Identify countermeasures to prevent reoccurrence.
• Provide or coordinate new hire orientation outlining high expectations regarding EHS and company compliance and the important role of the employee.
• Perform frequent and routine environmental and safety inspections, and internal audits to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and corporate requirements. This includes facilities, grounds, employee work practices and procedures.
• Recommend and develop changes in policies, procedures, work environment and equipment to prevent incidents and illness.
• Identify and correct hazardous working conditions and unsafe employee practices through personal interaction, site visits, safety plans, and education of all appropriate departments.
• Review documentation to insure all required onsite records and reports are complete, accurate and submitted per established procedures. Maintain all EHS documents according to the corporate retention schedule.
• Accompany, when possible, all facility visits by OSHA, ODA, and other regulatory agencies, as well as corporate EHS department and insurance inspectors on audits and assessments.
• Act as the company EHS liaison with governmental agencies, the insurance carrier and industry associations as required.
• Participate and act as an advisor for employee safety committee activities.
• Represent MA by participating as a member of the corporate EHS and Responsible Care teams as directed.
• Continue work-related knowledge and personal development by attending approved meetings, workshops, training, and seminars on OSHA standards and other relevant topics.
• Collaborate and support EHS team members within the company and group companies.
• Act as a change agent committed to continuous improvement.
• Manage corporate level respiratory protection and hearing conservation programs, and others, as needed.
• Participate, as requested, on related corporate programs such as the Crisis Communication Team
• Assist the company with the Management of Change process.
• Oversee Emergency Response, Safety meetings and training events.
• Participate in industrial hygiene & ergonomic evaluations including Job Hazard Analyses,
• Liaison with security company for alarm system, scheduling service, changing alarm codes and gate/door access codes as needed or recommended by corporate RC.

Experience/Qualifications:

• 3-5 years’ experience in the listed principal responsibilities in an operationally diverse EHS environment.
• Advanced proficiency with MS Office software, particularly Excel and PowerPoint preferred.
• Superb interpersonal & communication skills with a confident, concise and clear style.
• Strong analytical and strategic problem-solving capabilities.
• Familiarity with laboratory operations, basic chemical process equipment or similar.
• Experience with Industrial Hygiene techniques and ergonomic evaluations and improvements
• Proven organization, project management and time management skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Effectively communicate EHS principles and requirement though a variety of training situations, and media.
• Ability to recognize onsite risk factors and take appropriate action with firmness and tact.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of team.
• Understanding of and ability to acquire information, to stay current, on applicable federal, state, local and company regulations.
• The following items would be beneficial:
  1. Certified First Aid/CPR/AED Trainer
  2. OSHA 10 hour or 30-hour Certification
  3. Certified forklift operator Trainer

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Health or other related scientific disciplines preferred
• Certification as CSP, CHMM or CIH is preferred

Travel: Travel up to 10% may be required including potential but limited international travel.

• Valent BioSciences LLC and Mycorrhizal Applications LLC are Equal Opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and/or identity, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, disabilities, or protected veteran status.