Role Overview for VP, Environmental, Health & Safety with a Chemical Co. – Baton Rouge, LA
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, innovation-driven chemical manufacturing company in their search for a transformative Vice President of Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS). Based at their flagship operations hub in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this executive leadership role is critical to the company’s long-term success, operational integrity, and commitment to corporate social responsibility. Our client is a leader in the specialty chemicals sector, renowned for its cutting-edge products and unwavering dedication to safety and environmental stewardship. This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned EHS executive to shape and embed a world-class safety culture across a complex, multi-site organization.
As the VP of EHS, you will be the principal architect and champion of the company’s comprehensive EHS strategy. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, providing strategic guidance, technical expertise, and inspirational leadership to ensure the well-being of all employees, the protection of the environment, and full compliance with all regulatory standards.
The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with a deep understanding of the chemical manufacturing landscape, a proven track record of driving cultural change, and the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical, effective, and sustainable operational practices. You will be responsible for not only mitigating risk but also for positioning EHS as a competitive advantage and a core tenet of the company’s brand and values.
Key Responsibilities of VP, Environmental, Health & Safety with a Chemical Co. – Baton Rouge, LA
Strategic Leadership & Vision
- Develop, articulate, and execute a forward-thinking, long-term EHS vision and strategic plan that aligns with the company’s overall business objectives, growth targets, and values.
- Serve as the primary EHS advisor to the CEO, COO, and Board of Directors, providing regular updates, data-driven insights, and strategic recommendations on EHS performance, emerging risks, and regulatory trends.
- Champion a ‘zero-incident’ culture across the enterprise, fostering a proactive, interdependent safety mindset where every employee feels empowered and accountable for EHS excellence.
- Establish key performance indicators (KPIs), metrics, and objectives to monitor and drive continuous improvement in all aspects of EHS performance, including lagging and leading indicators.
- Oversee the allocation of capital and operational budgets for the EHS function, ensuring resources are deployed effectively to address key risks and strategic priorities.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure unwavering compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal environmental, health, and safety regulations, including those from the EPA, OSHA, DOT, and other relevant agencies.
- Maintain expert-level knowledge of the complex regulatory landscape affecting the chemical industry, including deep familiarity with OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) standards, RCRA, the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act.
- Lead the development and implementation of robust EHS management systems (e.g., ISO 14001, ISO 45001) to ensure systematic and consistent management of EHS risks and obligations.
- Oversee comprehensive risk assessment programs, including Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), job hazard analyses, and environmental aspect/impact assessments, to identify, evaluate, and mitigate potential risks.
- Direct a rigorous incident investigation process, ensuring root cause analyses are thoroughly conducted and effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) are implemented to prevent recurrence.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies during inspections, audits, and inquiries, fostering a professional and transparent relationship.
Operational Excellence & Team Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team of EHS professionals across all company sites, fostering a culture of collaboration, expertise, and continuous learning.
- Standardize EHS policies, procedures, and best practices across the organization while allowing for site-specific customization where necessary.
- Oversee the development and delivery of comprehensive EHS training programs for all levels of the organization, from new hires to senior leadership.
- Direct the company’s emergency preparedness and response programs, ensuring that all sites are equipped and trained to effectively manage potential crises.
- Partner with Engineering, Operations, and R&D on management of change (MOC), capital projects, and new product introductions to ensure EHS considerations are integrated from the design phase forward.
- Drive sustainability initiatives that reduce the company’s environmental footprint, conserve resources, and enhance its reputation as a responsible corporate citizen.
Requirements for the VP, Environmental, Health & Safety with a Chemical Co. – Baton Rouge, LA
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Environmental Science, Chemical Engineering, Occupational Health & Safety, or a related technical field is required.
- Master of Science (M.S.) degree in a relevant discipline is highly preferred.
- Professional certification such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) is strongly desired.
Experience & Expertise
- A minimum of 15 years of progressive EHS experience, with at least 7 years in a senior, multi-site leadership role (Director, Sr. Director, or VP level).
- Direct experience within the chemical manufacturing, petrochemical, or oil & gas industries is essential. Deep familiarity with batch or continuous chemical processing environments is required.
- Demonstrated track record of developing and implementing successful, enterprise-wide EHS strategies that resulted in measurable improvements in safety performance and compliance.
- Extensive, hands-on experience with Process Safety Management (PSM) is non-negotiable.
- Proven experience managing relationships and negotiations with regulatory agencies like the EPA and OSHA.
- Experience leading EHS due diligence for mergers and acquisitions is a plus.
Leadership Competencies & Personal Attributes
- Exceptional leadership and people management skills with the ability to inspire, influence, and motivate teams at all levels of the organization.
- Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical and regulatory information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences, from the plant floor to the boardroom.
- Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities. Must be able to see the big picture while also being attentive to critical details.
- High level of personal integrity, ethics, and credibility. Must be a trusted advisor and a role model for the company’s values.
- A collaborative and engaging style; able to build strong relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Resilient, adaptable, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic manufacturing environment.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier executive talent and offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package, including:
Competitive Base Salary
An attractive salary commensurate with executive-level experience and market standards.
Executive Bonus Program
A significant annual incentive bonus tied to company and individual performance.
Long-Term Incentives
Meaningful equity or long-term cash incentives to reward long-term value creation.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premium medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage for you and your family.
Retirement Savings
A robust 401(k) plan with a generous company match.
Generous Paid Time Off
A competitive vacation, holiday, and sick leave policy.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the successful candidate and their family.
Professional Development
Support for continuing education, professional memberships, and conference attendance.
How to Apply
This is a retained search being conducted exclusively by JRG Partners. We invite qualified and interested candidates to submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their suitability for this critical leadership role. Due to the high volume of interest, only those candidates who meet the specified criteria will be contacted. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
To be considered for this exceptional opportunity, please apply through our dedicated portal. If you wish to learn more about our expertise in this sector, please visit the JRG Partners’ Chemicals & Materials executive search practice page. We look forward to reviewing your qualifications and discussing how you can make a lasting impact with our esteemed client.
