SHE Manager Technical Center

Job description

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products. At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy. The SHE&S Manager will oversee the safety, environmental, and health initiatives for the Synthomer Akron Technology Center as well as other sites and company initiatives as assigned. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Coordinate the Akron Technology Center SHE&S/RCMS management system and serves as facilitator of site safety committee. Establish and maintain site specific SHE&S policies, programs and procedures that ensure compliance with all applicable Synthomer, federal, state, and local regulations and corporate standards. Maintains and monitors current information and educates site leadership and employees to ensure site compliance on government SHE regulations and corporate policy. Tracks reported hazards, action items, and ensures timely follow up and communication to stake holders regarding corrective actions. Prepares required reports, plans, and other government SHE&S filings and ensures timely and accurate submission. Maintains the environmental compliance programs including hazardous waste. Ensures industrial hygiene monitoring for identified hazardous risk such as air, noise, dust, etc. Evaluate jobs (JSA’s) for possible ergonomic and other safety improvements and engineering improvements and implement these work design changes with appropriate team members. Actively investigate all incidents and near misses, identifies root causes, risk rank all corrective/preventive and ensures they are implemented. Lead the Emergency Response Team and maintain an up-to-date emergency response procedure. Coordinates and ensure execution of sites’ safety efforts including training, audits, required health screens, workman’s compensation, accident investigations, and general safety awareness. Supports the local site management team with development and achievement of SHE&S annual performance goals; OSHA and regulatory requirement compliance; coordination of site safety committee initiatives and behavioral/area audits; hazard analysis and recognition; risk ranking and execution of critical safety projects Actively participate in projects and SHE efforts at other sites as requested Interact with the site workforce at all levels to demonstrate, educate and enforce safe work practices. Other duties and projects as assigned. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s Degree required. Chemistry, Polymer Engineering, or similar science or engineering degree preferred. Minimum of 5 years demonstrated safety experience required. Preferably in a manufacturing or laboratory environment. Minimum of 1 year of laboratory experience (including intern/co-op) required. Must be proficient in serving as a change agent and working with the organization/ management to change safety culture. High energy, productive, team player Working knowledge of OSHA regulations. Ability to read, analyze and interpret regulations, professional journals, technical procedures and technical results. Strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills. Must be an independent, self-motivated individual with the ability to multi-task and administer a broad range of duties. Ability to coach, teach and counsel and be comfortable speaking to groups at different organizational levels. Must be able to work independently without day-to-day supervision. Must be comfortable in dealing with SHE&S issues in the laboratory environment and working with all levels of employees (from front-line employees to senior management). Competent with the Microsoft Office suite of programs (i.e. Word, Excel, and Outlook) and safety and health management systems. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential. Must be able to compose clear and concise written communications without error or omission. Must be able to verbally communicate with a wide range of people in a clear and concise manner. Must be able to address team using terminology of laboratory environments. Must be watchful and highly vigilant, maintaining high ethical standards. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience with effective health and safety management systems including RCMS and ISO Able to understand and execute processes including risk ranking, rapid problem solving, effective project management, hazard analysis, permitting, management of change (MOC), pre-start up safety review (PSSR), and required permitting RCRA Hazardous Waste Generator Training HazWoper Training 🌍 Global Benefits Overview 💰 Competitive, market-aligned compensation 🎯 Discretionary global bonus scheme 📈 Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions 🚗 Company car or car allowance – varies by region and role 🩺 Healthcare – tailored to regional locations 👶 Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies) 🏡 Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs 📚 Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers 💙 Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives 🌱 Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country 🤝 Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive 🏆 Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes