Environmental Health & Safety Manager

About the role

We make pet food taste great! For over 30 years, AFB International has been providing pet food solutions that enrich the lives of pets and their people. Our palatants are specially designed to make pet foods, treats and supplements taste better, ensuring pets receive the vital nutrients they need. We know wagging tails, licking whiskers and empty bowls equal happy pets and happy pet parents.

Join AFB and you'll be a part of a team of highly skilled professionals that provide the greatest contribution to our success as an organization. Our team members are diverse, creative, passionate experts who are genuinely dedicated to our mission, our customers, and the pets we serve worldwide.

About the role

Are you a strategic safety leader who believes that operational excellence starts with a culture of zero incidents? Do you thrive in environments where you can influence change, build strong partnerships, and drive meaningful impact across an organization?

We are seeking an experienced Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Manager at our site in Aurora, Missouri to champion our safety-first culture while advancing environmental stewardship and regulatory excellence. This is more than a compliance role - it's an opportunity to shape strategy, empower teams, and create a workplace where people and performance thrive together.

The Impact You'll Make

As our EHS Manager, you will serve as a trusted advisor to leadership and a passionate advocate for employees. You will design and lead programs that protect our people, safeguard the environment, and support operational success.

Strategic Leadership & Culture Building

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve EHS strategies, programs, and policies.
• Champion a proactive Zero Incident culture through engagement, visibility, and leadership collaboration.
• Lead safety committees and cross-functional teams to drive measurable improvements.
• Track and communicate leading and lagging indicators to inspire performance and accountability.

Risk Management & Continuous Improvement

• Lead hazard identification, risk assessments, industrial hygiene monitoring, and job safety analyses.
• Drive incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective actions that prevent recurrence.
• Ensure proper selection and implementation of engineering controls and PPE.
• Manage EHS budgets and capital investments to support long-term safety and environmental initiatives.

Training & Workforce Development

• Design and deliver impactful EHS training for employees, supervisors, new hires, and contractors.
• Coach and influence leaders at all levels to strengthen safety ownership and accountability.

Environmental & Regulatory Excellence

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations (OSHA, EPA, DOT, etc.).
• Serve as the primary liaison for regulatory agencies, inspections, and audits.
• Manage environmental programs including waste, emissions, stormwater, hazardous materials, and wastewater.
• Maintain permits, reporting requirements, and compliance calendars.
• Drive environmental sustainability and continuous improvement initiatives.

Emergency Preparedness & Business Continuity

• Lead emergency response planning and drills.
• Partner with Operations and Quality to maintain crisis management and business continuity plans.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Science, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5-7 years of progressive EHS experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of EHS leadership experience in industrial/manufacturing environments.
• Experience in wastewater management.
• Demonstrated success leading cultural transformation initiatives.

The Leader We're Looking For

You are

• A confident decision-maker who leads with both courage and collaboration.
• Highly knowledgeable in safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Skilled at influencing without direct authority.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Customer-focused while holding firm on safety standards.
• Responsive, proactive, and able to balance thoughtful planning with urgency.
• Able to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical, actionable solutions.

Why This Role Matters

This position plays a critical role in protecting our people, strengthening our operations, and reinforcing our commitment to environmental responsibility. You'll have the visibility, autonomy, and executive partnership needed to drive meaningful change.

If you're ready to lead from the front, inspire a culture of safety, and leave a lasting impact - we'd love to connect with you. Apply today and bring your expertise, leadership, and passion for safety to a team committed to operational excellence and environmental stewardship.