JRG Partners is proud to partner exclusively with a world-renowned, multi-billion dollar Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) organization in their search for a transformative Vice President of Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS). This is a career-defining opportunity for a strategic leader to shape the future of safety, environmental stewardship, and sustainability for a company whose products are trusted in millions of homes globally. Based at their corporate headquarters in Cincinnati, OH, the VP of EHS will be a critical member of the senior leadership team, responsible for architecting and executing a global EHS vision that not only ensures compliance but also drives a culture of proactive risk management and operational excellence. Our client is committed to a ‘zero-incident’ philosophy and views this role as paramount to protecting their most valuable assets: their people and the planet.
Role Overview for VP, Environmental, Health & Safety with a Global CPG Co. – Cincinnati, OH
Reporting directly to the Chief Supply Chain Officer, the Vice President of Environmental, Health, and Safety is the organization’s foremost authority on all EHS matters. This executive will provide strategic direction, leadership, and technical expertise across a complex global network of manufacturing plants, distribution centers, R&D facilities, and corporate offices. The successful candidate will be tasked with transforming the existing EHS function into a world-class, integrated program that is deeply embedded in the company’s culture and daily operations.
This involves moving beyond traditional compliance-focused activities to a predictive, behavior-based model that anticipates risks and empowers every employee to be a safety leader. You will be responsible for developing long-range strategic plans, setting ambitious performance targets, and ensuring the resources, systems, and talent are in place to achieve them. This role requires a visionary leader who can influence at all levels, from the boardroom to the plant floor, and who can effectively articulate the business case for EHS investment. You will be the champion for a culture where safety and sustainability are not just priorities, but core values that drive competitive advantage.
Key Responsibilities of VP, Environmental, Health & Safety with a Global CPG Co. – Cincinnati, OH
Global EHS Strategy & Vision
Develop, articulate, and execute a comprehensive, forward-thinking global EHS strategy that aligns with the company’s overall business objectives. Establish a clear roadmap with measurable goals to achieve top-tier EHS performance and cultivate a zero-incident culture across all global sites.
Leadership & Team Development
Lead, mentor, and inspire a global team of EHS professionals. Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture, and build organizational capability through targeted training, professional development, and succession planning.
Regulatory Compliance & Governance
Ensure unwavering compliance with all applicable local, national, and international EHS regulations. Serve as the primary point of contact with regulatory agencies and maintain a deep understanding of the evolving regulatory landscape. Proactively monitor for changes in legislation and ensure the organization is prepared to meet new requirements. This includes mastery of standards set by agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
EHS Management Systems (EHSMS)
Oversee the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of a robust, standardized EHSMS, leveraging frameworks such as ISO 14001 (Environmental) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety). Drive standardization of policies, procedures, and best practices globally.
Risk Management & Mitigation
Champion a proactive, risk-based approach to safety and environmental management. Lead the implementation of comprehensive risk assessment methodologies (e.g., HAZOP, JSA, FMEA) to identify, evaluate, and control hazards in all operational areas.
Performance Analytics & Reporting
Establish and manage a sophisticated system for tracking, analyzing, and reporting on EHS key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) and Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR). Utilize data analytics to identify trends, pinpoint root causes, and drive targeted continuous improvement initiatives. Provide regular, insightful performance updates to the executive leadership team and Board of Directors.
Incident Investigation & Prevention
Lead a rigorous, transparent process for incident investigation, ensuring that root cause analysis is thoroughly conducted and that effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) are implemented globally to prevent recurrence.
Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility
Partner closely with the corporate sustainability team to drive environmental stewardship initiatives. Provide leadership on programs related to energy conservation, water usage reduction, waste minimization, pollution prevention, and reducing the company’s overall carbon footprint.
Executive & Stakeholder Engagement
Act as the senior EHS advisor to the executive team, providing strategic counsel and data-backed insights. Build strong, collaborative relationships with leaders across Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, HR, and Legal to ensure EHS is an integrated part of all business decisions.
Budget & Resource Management
Develop and manage the global EHS budget, ensuring strategic allocation of capital and operational expenses to address key risks and drive strategic initiatives.
Requirements for the VP, Environmental, Health & Safety with a Global CPG Co. – Cincinnati, OH
Educational Background
A Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related technical field is required. A Master’s degree (MS or MBA) is strongly preferred.
Executive Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in Environmental, Health, and Safety, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Director, Senior Director, VP) overseeing multiple sites within a global manufacturing organization.
Industry Expertise
Demonstrable experience within the CPG, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing industries is essential. A deep understanding of the unique EHS challenges within a fast-paced, high-volume production environment is critical.
Technical Acumen
Expert-level knowledge of EHS regulations (OSHA, EPA, etc.) and management system standards (ISO 14001, ISO 45001). Proven experience with industrial hygiene, process safety management (PSM), ergonomics, and environmental permitting.
Professional Certifications
Professional certification such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) is highly desirable.
Transformational Leadership
A proven track record of developing and implementing successful EHS strategies that result in measurable improvements in performance. Experience leading cultural change and driving the adoption of behavior-based safety programs is crucial.
Global Mindset
Significant experience managing EHS functions across different countries and cultures, with a nuanced understanding of international EHS regulations and practices.
Business & Financial Acumen
Ability to connect EHS initiatives to business performance and articulate the value proposition of a strong safety culture in financial and operational terms. Experience managing significant budgets is required.
Communication & Influence
Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. The ability to build credibility and influence senior executives, engage frontline employees, and represent the company effectively with external stakeholders.
Mobility
Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, approximately 25-35%, to engage with global teams and sites.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is dedicated to attracting and retaining top-tier executive talent by offering a holistic and highly competitive compensation and benefits package. This includes:
Executive Compensation
A competitive base salary, a significant annual performance-based bonus, and a meaningful long-term incentive plan (e.g., stock options, restricted stock units).
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your eligible dependents. Access to robust mental health resources, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and corporate wellness initiatives.
Retirement & Financial Security
A leading 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous company match, along with access to financial planning resources.
Generous Time Off
A substantial paid time off (PTO) package, including vacation, sick days, and company-paid holidays to support a healthy work-life integration.
Professional Development
A strong commitment to your growth, with opportunities for executive coaching, leadership training, and support for continuing education and professional certifications.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive, executive-level relocation package will be provided to the successful candidate and their family to facilitate a smooth transition to the vibrant Cincinnati metropolitan area.
Additional Perks
Employee discounts on company products, access to on-site amenities, and opportunities to engage in company-sponsored community service and philanthropic efforts.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is the exclusive retained search firm for this critical leadership position. We invite all qualified and interested candidates to submit their resume and a detailed cover letter outlining their qualifications and strategic vision for an EHS function. Your application will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
If you are a transformative EHS leader ready to make a global impact with an industry-leading CPG company, we encourage you to apply today. Due to the high volume of interest, only those candidates who meet the specified requirements will be contacted.
To explore other executive opportunities within our specialized practice areas, please visit JRG Partners’ Industrial and Manufacturing Executive Search page.
