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Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Manager

Generac · Sussex, WI · Full time

Posted Jun 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you had to get a safety culture initiative adopted by employees or leaders who weren't bought in yet.

What they are checking: ability to influence without direct authority, which this role heavily depends on

Tell me about an incident investigation you led where the root cause wasn't obvious. How did you get to the real cause and what changed afterward.

What they are checking: rigor in root cause analysis versus surface-level fixes

Tell me about a safety committee you've run. What made it actually effective instead of just a meeting people show up to.

What they are checking: whether they can build engagement structures rather than just check a box

This role talks about a 'Drive to Zero' culture. What does zero-incident culture actually mean to you in practice, and what have you done to move a site toward it?

What they are checking: understanding of proactive versus reactive safety management

Have you managed or mentored other EHS staff? How do you decide what to delegate versus handle yourself in a lean team?

What they are checking: leadership capability given the role includes overseeing EHS team members

What would you do

This site is a greenfield start-up, so there's no existing EHS program to inherit. Walk me through how you'd spend your first ninety days building one from scratch.

What they are checking: whether the candidate can sequence priorities and build infrastructure without relying on existing systems or precedent

Say a machine operator is injured on a task that passed a job safety analysis last month. Production is behind schedule and the floor supervisor wants to keep the line running while you investigate. What do you do?

What they are checking: willingness to prioritize safety over production pressure and how they handle pushback from operations

If you found that a corrective action from a past audit was never actually implemented, and leadership assumed it had been, how would you handle that conversation?

What they are checking: honesty and directness in surfacing compliance gaps to leadership

How do you balance building long-term EHS infrastructure with the day-to-day urgency of a start-up environment where things are moving fast and resources are limited?

What they are checking: realistic expectations about working in an under-resourced, fast-moving new facility

About the work

What's your experience with OSHA, EPA, DOT, and state-level regulations like Wisconsin DNR, and how do you stay current when rules change?

What they are checking: depth of regulatory knowledge across the specific agencies named in the posting

Describe a hazardous waste program you've managed. What did you do to keep it compliant day to day, not just at audit time.

What they are checking: hands-on familiarity with hazardous waste handling versus theoretical knowledge

Have you prepared Tier II, TRI, or other environmental reports before? Walk me through what that process looked like.

What they are checking: direct experience with the specific compliance reporting mentioned in the posting

How would you set up an industrial hygiene monitoring program in a facility that doesn't have one yet?

What they are checking: practical knowledge of exposure assessment and monitoring design

What lean or continuous improvement tools have you used to reduce waste or improve a safety process, and what was the result?

What they are checking: whether continuous improvement experience is real and measurable, not just familiarity with the vocabulary

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The full job description

As published by Generac.

We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most. For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future. Ready to Power a Smarter World with us? The EHS Manager is responsible for leading all environmental, health, and safety (EHS) activities at the facility to ensure a safe, compliant, and high-performing work environment. This role will support a new Generac Industrial Energy location in Sussex, WI, offering a unique greenfield opportunity to build EHS programs, processes, and culture from the ground up. The environment will operate with a start-up mindset, requiring agility, ownership, and hands-on leadership, while delivering high-impact contributions to Generac’s industrial power solutions portfolio. This role partners closely with cross-functional teams to implement best-in-class safety programmes, drive regulatory compliance, and advance a zero-incident culture. The EHS Manager plays a critical role in monitoring operations, mitigating risk, and ensuring adherence to OSHA, EPA, DOT, Wisconsin DNR, and other applicable regulations while promoting continuous improvement and operational excellence. Responsibilities • Lead and manage all EHS programmes, including hazard communication, compliance reporting, training, inspections, and recordkeeping. • Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local environmental and safety regulations; oversee environmental reporting and permit support activities. • Drive strategic EHS initiatives, including safety culture programmes and “Drive to Zero” efforts, to improve overall site performance. • Facilitate and lead safety committees while influencing employees and leadership to adopt best practices in health and safety. • Conduct audits, inspections, and job safety analyses to identify risks and implement corrective and preventative actions. • Lead incident investigations, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. • Manage hazardous waste programmes, industrial hygiene activities, and environmental monitoring efforts. • Assess and improve workplace ergonomics, safety processes, and risk controls to enhance employee wellbeing and productivity. • Drive sustainability and waste reduction initiatives, including recycling and supply chain partnerships. • Provide leadership and oversight to EHS team members and act as a key functional expert within the facility. Minimum Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; • 5 years of progressive EHS experience; • 3 years of implementation experience with safety related programs. Preferred Qualifications • Master’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or EHS-related field. • Experience within a manufacturing environment. • Strong understanding of waste management regulations and environmental compliance requirements. • Experience implementing lean principles and continuous improvement initiatives. • Professional certifications such as CHMM, CSP, CIH, or PE. • Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and data management systems. • Experience supporting FTZ/security requirements and preparing environmental reports (e.g., Tier II, TRI, emissions, hazardous waste reporting) Great Reason s to work for Generac : • Competitive Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, 401k and many more • State-of-the-art facility with an onsite gym, walking trails, café, free parking and many employee activities • Scheduled events throughout the year that allow our employees, both current and retirees, to gather together and enjoy their time with their families and co-workers • Pride! When a storm strikes, Generac employees always rise to the occasion. Each time a storm hits, many employees volunteer their time with the customer support team or on the production line , while others go right into storm-affected areas to repair generators • Make a positive impact. Generac has always been community-minded and dedicated to giving back. The company proudly offers a Volunteer Time Off program , inviting team members to participate in charitable volunteer opportunities on company time. Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls.  The employee is regularly required to stand and walk.  On occasion the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend or reach above the shoulders.  The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific conditions of this job include are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision and ability to adjust focus. “We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”

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