New

Director of EHS

Vaco
$140,000.00 - $160,000.00 / yr
401(k), retirement plan
United States, Tennessee, Afton
Feb 26, 2026
Vaco is hiring for an EHS Director position in Afton TN Direct Hire Salary: 140-160,000/yr + Bonus GENERAL SUMMARY: This position is responsible for defining and leading the execution of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) strategies and programs across U.S. business units. These strategies and programs are designed to support ESG goals by managing, mitigating, and, whenever possible, eliminating EHS risks to associates, business partners, and surrounding communities. Responsibilities include ensuring program and regulatory compliance, providing technical support, strategy development, and training assistance at all levels of the organization. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Develop, communicate, and implement policies, programs, processes, and systems to ensure proactive EHS compliance, improve performance, and drive EHS values. Fulfill the role of an in-house expert by staying abreast of regulatory standards and ensuring that compliance processes relating to inspections, audits, and regulatory agency engagement are fully implemented. Advise on technical support, regulatory assistance, and training to all levels of the organization. Lead the development and deployment of organization-wide training on safety and environmental issues. Drive and monitor EHS success toward performance indicators and goals. Lead incident investigations including root cause analysis for corrective and preventative actions. Establish and monitor a consistent approach for reporting injuries and investigation results. Responsible for facility environmental, health, and safety audits. Analyze results and recommend corrective actions. Govern computer-based EHS management systems and applications. Oversee and promote use by business units and global partners for a consistent, simplified approach to compliance and cost savings. Serve as primary EHS representative for field organizations, corporate, and supplemental office staff. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of worker's compensation laws and translate them into proactive processes and practices. Collaborate with Corporate Risk Management to reduce worker's compensation risks and costs. Lead and participate in sustainability initiatives and reporting. Respond to customer ESG/EHS surveys and audits. Oversee the application and reporting processes for environmental permitting and waste management at facilities to avoid violations and potential fines. Oversee and implement training and development opportunities for facility EHS personnel in conjunction with department manager. Assume responsibilities of facility EHS personnel in their absence or open positions. Establish an active exchange of best practices and other information between U.S. locations, business units, global partners, ownership stakeholders, and peers. Interface with plant EHS, corporate staff attorneys, employee relations, and compliance to develop programs and processes that meet multiple needs and governing disciplines, including due diligence and emerging issues. Consult with product leaders/attorneys on product safety initiatives when requested. Manage EHS due diligence for acquisition and divestiture initiatives. Perform special projects as assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties. Required Education: BS Degree in a technical field, preferably EHS (experience with certificate programs, seminars, and CEUs acceptable). MS in a technical discipline and/or an MBA preferred. Technical certifications, e.g., ISO 14001, CSP, PE preferred. Required Length & Type of Experience: 10+ years of applicable experience. Extensive knowledge of manufacturing processes along with Federal, State, and Local EHS regulatory compliance. Experience in all facets of EHS including specialized advanced training, regulatory interpretation, remedial investigation, property cleanup of contaminated materials, hazardous materials management, regulatory permitting, employee health and safety, and industrial hygiene. Proficiency in EHS legal matters, financial reporting, and risk management required. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Mastery of Federal, state, and local safety, health, and environmental regulations and compliance. Proficient with standard business software applications. Strong organizational skills managing multiple ongoing projects. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Knowledge of basic chemical properties and attributes. Understanding of manufacturing processes with focus on EHS programs and interventions. Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products. Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. EEO Notice Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law. Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal. By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. Privacy Notice Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies. California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here. Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here. Residents of all other states may access our policies here. Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here. Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: the individual's skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certification requirements; office location and other geographic considerations; other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.