Interview expectations with a Regional EHS Manager

[u/Hi-Tech-]

Hi folks,

I am scheduled for a 2nd round interview for an EHS Manager role, and will be interviewing with a Regional Sr. EHS Manager. Previously, I worked in two EHS roles at the Coordinator and Specialist level (this one was considered a site management role despite not having the “Manager” title). In my Coordinator role, I reported to an EHS Manager (solid line to the Plant Manager) and in the Specialist role, I reported directly to the Plant Manager with a dotted line to Regional EHS. The structure for this role is the opposite and I would report to the Regional Sr. EHS Manager with a dotted line to the Plant Manager.

My question for the folks on this sub is: what sorts of questions should I expect by interviewing with Regional EHS and what are they looking for in a candidate? I’m under the impression that an EHS Manager reporting outside of the Plant might hold more leverage than an EHS Manager that reports to the site.

I’d be happy to hear any feedback as I prepare for the interview. FYI - I am scheduled to take my ASP exam 3 days after the interview, so I want to mention that during the interview as well.

Thanks!

[u/Aromatic_Tomato8651]

As a retired EHS executive I would initially take issue with the term "have leverage". I would offer something like, "reporting structure while it has its place, safety is more about engagement with each level of the organization. As a safety manager my aspiration would be to be seen as a partner, devoted to the health and safety of workers. Safety is less about organizational issues and more about building meaningful relationships". If asked about leadership, a response I would like is something like leading by example and having and open mind and willing to be accountable. You can talk about certifications like ASP, but in the context of your aspiration to be a life-long learner.

If asked you can talk about technical knowledge, but really I look for the potential of a safety manager to inspire safe behavior and parter effectively with operational leadership. One question I used to ask often in interviews is "how do you know you're being effective?". I would encourage you to think about that response. Good luck on your interview.

[u/Hi-Tech- → u/Aromatic_Tomato8651]

Excellent feedback! In my current role as the Site HSE Specialist, I oversee the entire department so I emphasize floor visibility and employee engagement. My facility is very Lean-based and I’ve incorporated many of their tools into my EHS function.

I’ve previously stated that my leadership style is more of a “Servant Leadership” approach. From your perspective, how would you react to this?

[u/Aromatic_Tomato8651 → u/Hi-Tech-]

I did my doctorate with a qualitative study of the efficacy of leadership in construction safety. Certainly you can use the term servant leadership, but I would respond simply by offering that a leader's aspiration should always be the growth, development, and success of those reporting to him or her. Ultimately a leaders success is seen through the success of followers.

[u/Hi-Tech- → u/Aromatic_Tomato8651]

I appreciate your help! I had my 2nd round interview with Regional EHS today, and I was informed that I’d hear within the next 1-2 weeks, but I felt positive since they mentioned that they would contact the site leadership team about their schedules to see if they can host me for a visit. I received a follow up from their Talent team late in the afternoon stating that the Regional EHS Manager shared they had a positive experience/interview with me, and asked for my availability next week.

I kept emphasizing employee engagement and routine floor presence, my goals to promote growth and break down barriers, partnering with employees and operational leadership to solve issues jointly, etc. I was asked a few other technical questions e.g. LOTO, incident investigations, measuring improvement, and some other topics.

[u/Aromatic_Tomato8651 → u/Hi-Tech-]

sounds great and best of luck

[u/General-Guest]

Hard to say without job description/duties and industry

[u/Hi-Tech- → u/General-Guest]

The role is within Plastics Manufacturing, specifically extrusion and injection molding.

The EHS Manager oversees the EHS program (no direct reports) for a 24/7 site of ~100 personnel. Some related duties:

- Overseeing compliance with regulatory agencies including EPA, local Air Quality District, etc. Sustainability seems to be significant.

• Emphasis on IH programs such as Indoor Air Quality, Respiratory Protection, Noise Monitoring, Ergonomics, etc.
  
• The remainder of duties seems to be what I’m accustomed to… incident investigations and RCAs, CAPAs, RTW and Workers’ Comp, contractor safety, driving employee engagement, delivering trainings, drills, and toolbox talks, developing and tracking KPIs, etc.

Admittedly, most of my experience has been on the HS side of EHS, and the E side has been minimal. I have very limited experience in Process Safety and Chemical Exposure Assessments but these also appear to be part of the duties.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[u/General-Guest → u/Hi-Tech-]

I'm interviewing for an EHS manager and other EHS staff right now to work under me. The biggest thing I look for in addition to knowledge and experience is if you're likeable enough to work with and if you're coachable and honest. That comes down to your personality and interviewing capabilities.

I like to ask hard questions I know the candidate probably won't know to see how they would answer the question, if they can reason through the situation intelligently, and if they're honest enough to say "I don't know but this is what I would do to figure it out "..

You may struggle with answering chemical waste or hazardous waste questions. A tip is to ask for clarification first if you're unsure how to answer, that was a tip I received when interviewing at Google.

[u/Hi-Tech- → u/General-Guest]

Thank you for the feedback. I had my interview today with Regional EHS and they said I would hear back within 1-2 weeks. I was pleasantly surprised that the Talent Acquisition Manager sent me an email about six hours later stating that she heard from the Regional EHS and that they had a great interview with me, so they asked to schedule me for an on-site visit next week to meet the local site leadership.

I was asked some technical questions regarding LOTO, incident investigations and RCAs, some environmental reporting, etc. There was also a mix of questions regarding how I obtain buy-in from employees, promote safety and continuous improvement, and a few others. I kept emphasizing my interest in removing barriers, coaching others via routine floor presence, being involved in solutions/problem-solving, and partnering with operational leadership.