PPC Flexible Packaging is seeking an Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Manager for our two Kansas City, Kansas facilities.
Position Summary:
PPC Flexible Packaging is seeking an Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Manager for our two Kansas City, Kansas facilities. This role provides leadership and oversight of EHS activities across both sites’ flexographic printing, converting, and warehousing operations, and will divide time between the two locations.
The EHS Manager reports directly to the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety, with a dotted line to the Plant Managers, ensuring alignment between corporate EHS initiatives and plant-level execution.
The role is approximately 75% safety and 25% environmental. The EHS Manager is responsible for compliance with federal OSHA, U.S. EPA, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), and local requirements, as well as PPC’s internal policies and programs. The role also works with insurance carriers, brokers, loss-control engineers, consultants, and service providers to implement and continuously improve EHS systems, training, and fire and property protection.
This is a hands-on role that combines strategic planning, administrative oversight, and a visible, daily presence on the production floor to maintain a workplace that is safe, compliant, and sustainable.
Position Responsibilities:
The EHS Manager will be responsible for leading, developing, and implementing programs to maintain a safe and compliant workplace. Specific responsibilities include:
Compliance & Program Management
- Develop, implement, and maintain written EHS programs that meet or exceed federal, state, and local requirements, including Hazard Communication, Lockout/Tagout, Machine Guarding, Powered Industrial Trucks, Hearing Conservation, Respiratory Protection, Confined Space, and Emergency Action/Fire Prevention.
- Create and manage the annual EHS training plan for both sites, including new-hire orientation, forklift operator certification, and required refresher training.
- Conduct job hazard analyses and risk assessments and drive corrective actions, with emphasis on press, laminator, and slitter nip points, rotating equipment, and roll handling.
- Oversee the safe handling and storage of flammable solvents and inks, including bonding and grounding, static control, and flammable storage areas.
- Ensure site emergency response and contingency plans are current and regularly drilled.
- Serve as site lead during regulatory inspections (OSHA, EPA, KDHE, fire marshal) and insurance loss-control visits, maintaining inspection readiness at both sites.
Environmental Compliance
- Manage the RCRA hazardous waste program, including generator status, accumulation areas, labeling, manifests, waste profiles, employee training, and waste vendor oversight.
- Maintain air permit compliance, including VOC and solvent usage recordkeeping, emissions calculations, control device (thermal oxidizer) monitoring, and required reports to KDHE and local air agencies.
- Manage stormwater permit and SWPPP requirements, SPCC (as applicable), and annual EPCRA Tier II and TRI reporting.
- Lead waste reduction, recycling, and sustainability projects, and serve as the local Green Team representative.
Safety Leadership & Culture
- Lead the sites’ safety committees and Behavior-Based Safety (BBS)/safety observation program.
- Serve as the EHS subject matter expert for both sites, mentoring supervisors and employees and promoting safe work practices across all shifts.
- Incorporate EHS goals into yearly site plans and actively participate as a member of each Plant Leadership Team.
- Lead investigations of incidents, accidents, and near-misses, including root-cause analysis and tracking corrective actions to closure.
- Manage workers’ compensation claims in partnership with the insurance carrier and occupational clinic, including case management, return-to-work/transitional duty, and OSHA 300/300A recordkeeping.
Fire & Property Protection
- Track insurance Risk Improvement recommendations through to closure and report status to the Director of EHS.
- Administer the sprinkler impairment and hot work permit programs, and coordinate inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire protection systems, including press CO2 suppression systems.
- Ensure routine inspections (e.g., fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, machine guards, warehouse racks, grounds) are carried out and documented.
Operational Support & Oversight
- Ensure PPE, machine guarding, and equipment safeguards (e.g., forklifts, overhead cranes, hoists) are in place, properly maintained, and used correctly.
- Manage contractor safety and management of change (MOC) reviews for new equipment, press installations, and process changes.
- Work with cross-functional teams to integrate EHS considerations into every part of operations.
Reporting & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain all required safety, injury, and environmental records and documentation in VelocityEHS.
- Develop and share an EHS Scorecard tracking lagging (TRIR, DART) and leading (near-misses, hazard IDs, corrective action closure) indicators and keep each Plant Leadership Team updated on performance and compliance status.
- Attend monthly EHS meetings with site and corporate personnel.
- Serve as the local representative for the company’s Safety Center of Excellence (COE).
- Perform other related duties assigned to support the success of the EHS program.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health, Environmental Science or Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience: 5+ years of EHS experience in a manufacturing environment, including at least 2 years in a leadership or site-lead role. Experience in printing, packaging, converting, or other solvent-based operations is strongly preferred.
- Environmental: Hands-on RCRA hazardous waste management experience is required. Experience with air permits and VOC recordkeeping, stormwater, and EPCRA (Tier II/TRI) reporting. Knowledge of Kansas (KDHE) and Missouri regulations is preferred.
- Safety Programs: Working knowledge of OSHA general industry standards, including machine guarding, lockout/tagout, and powered industrial trucks. Experience with a Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) or safety observation program is preferred.
- EHS Management Systems: Experience with Environmental, Health & Safety management systems (VelocityEHS or similar).
- Committees & Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead safety committees and influence across multiple sites, shifts, and departments.
- Training: Proficient in creating and conducting EHS training for diverse groups. Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred.
- Organization & Technology: Ability to identify, prioritize, and meet multiple expectations across two sites; proficient in Microsoft Office and company software systems.
- Certifications (Preferred):
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Associate Safety Professional (ASP)
- Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry or OSHA 510/511
- Or other industry-recognized certifications.
Working Conditions and/or Physical Requirements:
- Work is performed in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, solvents and inks, moving machinery, and forklift traffic. Required PPE must be worn; respirator use may require medical clearance and fit testing.
- Must be able to occasionally lift and properly handle items up to 50 pounds.
- Requires physical dexterity to bend, stand, climb stairs and ladders, flex, and reach as dictated by job tasks, and to walk production areas for extended periods.
- Standard work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with flexibility to work beyond normal hours as needed.
- Must be able and willing to support all shifts, including occasional early, late, or weekend presence for training, audits, and incident response.
- Regular travel between the two Kansas City sites; occasional travel to other PPC locations (up to 10%).
- Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.
Compensation & Benefits:
- FLSA Status: Exempt
- Pay Range: Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications, plus bonus eligibility.
- Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off
Equal Opportunity Employer:
PPC Flexible Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
To apply for the job:
Interested candidates are welcome to contact me directly:
Norman Enix
Director of EHS
PPC Flexible Packaging
423-484-9096