Environmental Manager

Columbus, GA (Hybrid Remote: 2 days per week from home) Salary: $100,000 – $140,000 / year + Bonus + Paid Relocation

Are you an experienced Environmental Manager with a passion for driving compliance and fostering a safe workplace in a dynamic manufacturing environment? We're seeking a proactive and skilled leader to join our plant leadership team and ensure the highest standards of environmental management. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on a 24/7, Title V manufacturing operation, working closely with both plant and corporate environmental leaders.

About Our Plant

Our facility operates 24/7 and is a leading manufacturer of diverse mineral wool insulation products, including industrial boards, commercial building batts, and a wide range of pipe insulation. We are committed to operational excellence and environmental stewardship.

Your Impact

As the Environmental Manager, reporting directly to the Plant Manager, you will be pivotal in maintaining and enhancing our environmental systems and compliance. Your responsibilities will span a broad range of critical areas, ensuring we not only meet but exceed regulatory requirements while supporting a productive and safe work environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Regulatory Compliance & Interpretation: Provide expert technical and regulatory compliance support, interpreting state and federal environmental regulations (including ADEM, EPA, Health Department, and local city requirements). Represent the company in interactions with government agencies, managing all communications, permits, and environmental program inquiries.

• Air Permitting & Compliance: Establish and maintain robust programs for air emission sources, including daily monitoring of our NESHAP system, interpreting alarms, reporting deviations, conducting root cause analyses, and updating OMM and SSMP plans. You'll also develop and review procedures to ensure adherence to environmental program requirements.

• Water Management & Pollution Prevention: Ensure proper management of process waters to protect groundwaters and surface tributaries. This includes conducting weekly and monthly SWPPP inspections and following up on corrective actions.

• Waste Management: Oversee the proper disposal of hazardous waste and lead plant-wide initiatives to minimize solid waste through reduction, reuse, and recycling. You'll conduct weekly inspections and inventories of universal and hazardous waste, manage disposal, and maintain waste profiles and records.

• Auditing & Training: Coordinate site-wide environmental audits, analyze results, and drive the completion of action items. Develop and deliver comprehensive employee training programs on environmental compliance, emergency preparedness, and hazard awareness.

• Strategic Leadership: Play a key role in developing, reviewing, and revising regulatory compliance programs. Monitor and prevent chemical, physical, and biological hazards. Support and drive productivity improvements, manage the environmental budget, and provide approval authority for capital expenditures related to environmental initiatives.

• Emergency Response & Safety: Fulfill duties defined in the Plant's Emergency Response Plan and be on-call 24/7 for serious environmental concerns. Actively participate in the Plant's Safety Committee and ensure all process additions and changes comply with environmental standards. Cross-train with the Health & Safety Manager to provide mutual support and backup.

• Communication & Collaboration: Establish and implement plant-wide communications to ensure employees are aware of potential hazards. Foster regular, two-way conversations within a flat organizational structure to maximize engagement.

• Continuous Improvement: Conduct root cause assessments and develop corrective action plans for environmental concerns. Drive initiatives for industrial hygiene across the campus, including an offsite warehouse.

What You Bring to the Team

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering or a related field.

• Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in environmental programs, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing environments.

• Regulatory Expertise: Thorough knowledge of Local, State, and Federal environmental regulations (e.g., 40 CFR, 49 CFR for Hazardous Waste Transportation).

• Technical Skills: Demonstrated experience with air permitting (especially Title V), water pollution prevention, solid and hazardous waste management, spill prevention and countermeasures control (SPCC/SWPPP), GHG, TRI Programs, and EPCRA.

• Leadership & Influence: Strong leadership skills with the ability to direct personnel and processes, influence multi-disciplinary teams, and collaborate effectively with all levels of the organization, from production workforce to upper management.

• Problem-Solving: Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities, including root cause analysis (RCCA, 5-Whys).

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly.

• Initiative: Demonstrated drive and initiative to complete assigned tasks, investigate, and seek out improvement opportunities.

• Software Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access.

Preferred Additional Skills / Experience:

• ISO 14001 Experience

• SAP Experience

• Lean Manufacturing Principles

• Prior Safety Specific Training (e.g., OSHA 30 Hour, Confined Space)

• Public Speaking or Training Experience

Work Environment & Physical Demands

This role is primarily Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM, but occasional adjusted schedules are required for projects or emergencies. You will spend approximately 30% of your time in the plant, an industrial, manufacturing environment with heavy machinery, moving parts, and mobile equipment. The environment is not climate-controlled and may involve extreme temperatures, high noise levels, vibration, fumes, and airborne particles. You must be prepared to wear all required personal protective equipment (safety-toed shoes, ear protection, eye protection, and potentially dust masks, gloves, respirators, or head protection). The ability to reach all work areas, including climbing ladders and negotiating catwalks at heights up to 50 feet, and lift/twist/turn up to 50 lbs., is required.