Lead EHS, Facility and Maintenance specialist

Job DetailsJob Location: Chicago - Bedford Park, IL 60638Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: College GraduateSalary Range: $111,100.00 - $185,900.00 SalaryJob Shift: 1st Shift Position Summary The Lead EHS & Facilities Specialist is responsible for leading site Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) programs and facilities operations to ensure a safe, compliant, reliable, and productive working environment. This role partners closely with site leadership, union leadership, employees, maintenance, security, contractors, and external agencies to drive compliance, risk reduction, facility performance, and continuous improvement. In a unionized manufacturing/service environment, this role must build strong working relationships, support consistent application of site rules and collective bargaining requirements, and promote proactive employee engagement in safety, environmental stewardship, and workplace conditions. Key Responsibilities EHS Leadership Lead site EHS programs in compliance with applicable federal, state/provincial, local, and company requirements Drive a strong safety culture through visible leadership, employee engagement, training, and accountability Conduct risk assessments, job hazard analyses, ergonomic reviews, and incident investigations Lead corrective and preventive actions resulting from incidents, audits, inspections, and employee concerns Manage regulatory programs such as: Lockout/tagout Hazard communication PPE Machine guarding Confined space Powered industrial vehicles Fall protection Emergency response Industrial hygiene Environmental permitting and waste management Maintain EHS records, metrics, training documentation, and compliance reports Coordinate regulatory inspections and support responses to agency findings Lead emergency preparedness efforts including drills, response plans, and coordination with site teams and local responders Union Site Partnership Partner with union representatives and site leadership to support a safe, respectful, and compliant work environment Participate in joint safety committees, labor-management discussions, and site issue resolution as appropriate Ensure policies, practices, and site expectations are administered consistently and in alignment with the collective bargaining agreement Build trust and credibility with represented employees through responsiveness, fairness, and follow-through Support effective communication of EHS and facilities-related changes that impact the workforce Continuous Improvement Analyze trends in injuries, near misses, environmental events, work orders, downtime, and facility performance Identify and implement actions to improve safety, compliance, responsiveness, cost, and employee experience Develop standard work, visual management, audit routines, and action plans for sustained execution Support site operating rhythm with regular reporting, prioritization, and escalation of risks Qualifications Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in Environmental Health & Safety, Engineering, Facilities Management, Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Safety, or related field OR equivalent experience Significant experience in EHS, facilities, manufacturing operations, or site services Experience in a unionized environment Knowledge of applicable EHS regulations and facilities management practices Experience leading incident investigations, audits, corrective actions, and contractor management Strong communication, influencing, and problem-solving skills Ability to work across all levels of the organization, including represented employees, leaders, and external agencies Preferred Qualifications Professional certifications such as CSP, CIH, CHMM, or facilities-related credentials Experience in manufacturing, industrial, aerospace, or regulated environments Experience with environmental compliance programs and permitting Experience managing budgets, service contracts, and capital/facility projects Lean / continuous improvement experience Strong working knowledge of CMMS, EHS management systems, and Microsoft Office tools Key Competencies Safety leadership Regulatory compliance Union/labor partnership Facilities systems knowledge Incident investigation and root cause analysis Contractor and vendor management Project management Communication and influence Conflict resolution Continuous improvement mindset Working Conditions Primarily based in a manufacturing, shop, warehouse, or service site environment Regular walking of production and facility areas May require off-shift support, emergency response availability, and occasional travel Must be able to use required personal protective equipment and access industrial environments safely   Qualifications