Environmental Health & Safety Manager

Job Type: Location Type: On-site

 

Why Hydranautics?

As part of the global Nitto Group, you’ll contribute to cutting-edge water treatment solutions while working within a culture that values innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration. This role offers unique exposure to Japanese business practices and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on both local and global operations.

Hydranautics is a part of the Nitto Group of companies and a global leader in the field of integrated membrane solutions which includes reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and microfiltration for water, wastewater and process treatment and applications. Currently used on seven continents throughout the world for diverse applications such as seawater desalination, industrial high-purity water, surface water treatment, wastewater treatment and specialty process applications.

Here at Hydranautics, we believe that diversity is key to our competitive advantage. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, domestic partner status or medical condition. We are proud to be a Drug-free, E-Verify and EEO employer.

We are proud to offer a generous compensation and robust benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, life insurance plans, F.S.A. and H.S.A plans, Retirement plans (401k and ROTH), (12) Paid company holidays, generous PTO, tuition reimbursement and career development, Employee Assistance Plan, and more. This is an onsite position in our Oceanside, CA facility.

About the Opportunity

Join Hydranautics as our EHS Manager and become a vital bridge between our U.S. operations and our Japanese parent company, Nitto Group. This is more than a compliance role-it’s an opportunity to lead environmental, health, and safety initiatives across cultures while making a meaningful impact on sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

We’re seeking a strategic leader who thrives in cross-cultural collaboration and can seamlessly integrate EHS excellence across our Americas operations and our global Nitto family.

What You’ll Do

Lead with Global Impact

• Develop and execute comprehensive EHS, environmental sustainability, and corporate social responsibility programs aligned with Hydranautics and Nitto Group standards.
• Serve as the primary EHS liaison between Hydranautics and Nitto entities in the Americas and Japan.
• Represent the company in interactions with regulatory agencies, community partners, and industry organizations.

Drive Excellence Across Borders

• Implement Nitto Group initiatives, regulations, and key environmental and safety programs including RoHS, REACH, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, and the Green Procurement Guidelines.
• Integrate EHS and sustainability principles into all operational activities through strong cross-functional partnerships.
• Lead regulatory negotiations, inspections, and high-level agency meetings while managing permit updates and maintaining accurate documentation to ensure full compliance during regulatory reviews.
• Oversee all required regulatory reporting, including the Biennial Hazardous Waste Report, Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) submissions, emissions inventories, and other federal, state, and local reporting obligations.

Champion Environmental Sustainability

• Drive initiatives to reduce CO₂ emissions, improve recycling programs, and support long-term sustainability goals.
• Collaborate with global teams to align environmental performance with Nitto Group’s sustainability commitments.

Strengthen Safety & Operational Integrity

• Ensure robust equipment safety programs within a manufacturing environment, including machine guarding, lockout/tagout, and equipment-specific risk assessments.
• Support and enhance industrial hygiene programs, including exposure monitoring, hazard assessments, and employee health protection initiatives. (Industrial hygiene experience is a strong plus.)

Build and Inspire Your Team

• Lead, mentor, and develop EHS specialists, establishing clear goals aligned with company strategy.
• Manage budgets, resources, and project priorities to support EHS and sustainability initiatives.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and environmental stewardship across the organization.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Sciences, or Engineering
• 5-7 years of progressive EHS experience in manufacturing environments
• Expert knowledge of Cal-OSHA regulations and their practical application
• Experience with EPA, Cal/OSHA, air quality districts, water agencies, and hazardous materials programs
• Proven experience with environmental reporting (TRI, DTSC, CUPA, wastewater/stormwater)
• HAZWOPER and DOT HM 191 Certification
• CPR/First Aid Certification
• Valid driver’s license

What Sets You Apart

• Cross-cultural communication skills – ability to work effectively with Japanese colleagues and navigate cultural differences with sensitivity and professionalism
• Experience working with Japanese companies or international organizations – understanding of Japanese business culture is highly valued
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills at all organizational levels
• Leadership capabilities with a collaborative, partnership-building approach
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
• Industrial Hygiene experience is a plus.

Work Environment

This dynamic role combines strategic office work (50-60%) with hands-on factory floor engagement (30-40%). You’ll need to:

• Manage both desk-based analysis and on-site facility assessments
• Occasionally lift equipment up to 25 pounds
• Work with PPE in environments with varying temperatures, noise, fumes, and chemicals
• Respond to emergencies in our 24-hour operation
• Travel internationally up to 10% (primarily to Japan and other Nitto locations)
• Maintain flexibility for overtime as business needs require
• Multitask projects and daily duties.

Ready to Lead Across Cultures?

If you’re an EHS professional who sees beyond borders and is energized by cross-cultural collaboration, we want to hear from you.