Environmental Manager

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Date: Aug 4, 2026

Location: Sterling, IL, US

Company: Leggett & Platt

Sterling Steel Company produces over 500,000 tons of wire rod annually.   Customers have various uses for this rod, including Leggett & Platt making bed springs, which they invented. 

Leggett & Platt is not only our largest customer, but after purchasing Northwestern Steel & Wire in 2002, they are also the owner of Sterling Steel Company.

It is the mission of Sterling Steel Company to be the Safest and Lowest Cost provider of Quality Steel.    We are committed to conform to all established requirements and expectations of our customers and to a philosophy of Continuous Quality Improvement. 

Meeting these goals requires teamwork, dedication, and ongoing training from all our 275+ employees. 

Leggett & Platt’s overall mission is a commitment to enhance lives – by delivering quality products, offering empowering and rewarding careers, and doing our part in bringing about a better future.

Leggett & Platt’s inventive heritage and leadership in the residential products industry span more than 130 years. As The Components People, we are the leading supplier of a wide range of products and components for all areas of life, including mattress springs and carpet cushion, as well as bedding machinery and erosion-control products.

From aerospace tubing and fabricated assemblies to flooring underlayment and carpet cushion, Leggett & Platt has divisions that design, manufacture, and sell a variety of products. Our reliable product development and launch capability, coupled with our global footprint, make us a trusted partner for customers in the aerospace, hydraulic cylinders, flooring, textile, and geo components industries.

Learn more about the history of Leggett: https://leggett.com/history

 

Bedding

We are the world leader in bedding technology. Leggett & Platt has been the driving force in bedding components technology since inventing the bedspring in 1885. Now, we own more mattress industry patents than anyone in the world.

Springs, foam, adjustable beds, machinery – our Bedding businesses design, produce, and supply innovative sleep solutions that help you rest comfortably.  

Leggett & Platt’s overall mission is a commitment to enhance lives – by delivering quality products, offering empowering and rewarding careers, and doing our part in bringing about a better future. Leggett & Platt’s inventive heritage and leadership in the residential products industry span more than 130 years. As The Components People, we are the leading supplier of a wide range of products and components for all areas of life, including mattress springs and carpet cushion, as well as bedding machinery and erosion-control products. From aerospace tubing and fabricated assemblies to flooring underlayment and carpet cushion, Leggett & Platt has divisions that design, manufacture, and sell a variety of products. Our reliable product development and launch capability, coupled with our global footprint, make us a trusted partner for customers in the aerospace, hydraulic cylinders, flooring, textile, and geo components industries.

Learn more about the history of Leggett: https://leggett.com/history    Learn more about Bedding Components: L&P Bedding Group

The Environmental Manager contributes to Sterling Steel safely producing high quality products at the lowest cost by leading all environmental activities at an industrial manufacturing facility to assure compliance with State and Federal regulatory requirements

Responsibilities & Duties:
  • Prepare and submit environmental permit applications/renewals for new development and modification to existing processes and equipment, including but limited to Construction/Operation Air Permits, NPDES Permits for individual discharge and general storm water discharges, and an IEMA Radiation Permit.
  • Oversee activities related to Sanitary Wastewater Treatment Plant, Non-Transient Non-Community Potable Water Supply, and on-site Water Treatment.
  • Oversee the execution of ongoing environmental compliance records and reporting including, but not limited to, all Clean Air Act Permit conditions, annual hazardous waste reporting, air emission report, Greenhouse Gas, CEDRI, EPCRA Tier2, NPDES DMR, Toxic Release Inventory, and Radioactive Materials.
  • Coordinate transport and disposal for manifested hazardous and special waste shipments - primarily seven waste streams at ~ 2,500 trucks/year in total
  • Implement facility plans as required by various regulations and permits including but limited to SPCC plans, SWPP Plans, and Contingency Plans.
  • Compile and submit all required governmental and corporate reports.
  • Lead all environmental audits and inspections conducted by governing agencies regarding permit conditions and regulatory requirements.
  • Review and recommend improvements to existing environmental strategies.
  • Investigate environmental incidents and develop action plans, as necessary.
  • Oversee and advise environmental consultants in specific areas of necessity.
  • Involvement in renewable/alternative energies, and sustainability discussions.
  • Routinely attend Steel Manufacturing Association Environmental Committee meetings and Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group meetings.
  • Provide annual HAZWOPER or RCRA safety training for personnel.
  • Participate in weekly Management Staff meeting
  • Supervise Environmental Supervisor
  • Report to work as scheduled
  • Follow all related SJPs
  • Adhere to all Policies and work rules
  • Comply with all SSC Safety rules
  • All other duties as assigned

 

 

 

Experience/Education/Skill/Knowledge:
  • Effectively read, write, understand, and otherwise communicate in English
  • Willing and able to learn, retain and apply new information
  • HAZWOPER Certification, Potable Water Supply Operator, Class D/K Wastewater Operator, Radiation Safety would all be helpful knowledge, otherwise training will be offered.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with fundamental environmental concepts as they apply to spill prevention, water pollution control, air pollution emissions, waste generation, and hazardous material handling.
  • Effective project management and delegation skills
  • Ability to review and apply environmental regulations (local, state, and federal)
  • Experience reviewing engineering plans and contracts specifications is a plus.
  • Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, chemistry, engineering, or equivalent experience. 
  • 10+ yrs related experience preferred
  • Able to continually retain and apply new information 

 

Physical Demands:
  • Dexterity to operate office machinery
  • Ability to sit for long periods of time at desk/computer
  • Willing and able to safely enter production areas
  • Able to work in extreme temperatures (hot & cold) while wearing required PPE
  • Mobility to move to various areas (Admin Office, Rod Mill and/or Melt Shop)
  • Strength and stamina to walk long distances and remain standing for full shift
  • Walk up and down stairs safely
  • Lift up to 50 pounds occasionally
  • Communicate effectively in verbally and in writing
  • Above average computer skills  
  • Dexterity to operate necessary tools/machinery

 

Tool/Machines/Equipment Used:
  • Computer
  • Phone
  • Project specific gathering/testing/measuring devices

 

 

What to Do Next

Now that you’ve had a chance to learn more about us, what are you waiting for! Apply today and allow us the opportunity to learn more about you and the value you can bring to our team. Once you apply, be sure to create a profile, and sign up for job alerts, so you can be the first to know when new opportunities become available.

Our Values

Our values speak to our shared beliefs, and describe how we approach working together.

  • Put People First reflects our commitment to safety and care of each other, learning and development, and creating an environment of mutual respect, empathy and belonging.
  • Do the Right Thing focuses us on acting with honesty and integrity, delivering the results the right way, taking pride in our work, and speaking the truth – good or bad.
  • Do Great Work…Together occurs when we engage without hierarchy, collaborate as a team, embrace challenges, and work for the good of all of us.
  • Take Ownership and Raise the Bar demonstrates our responsibility to add value and make a difference, challenge the status quo and biases to make things better, foster innovative and creative solutions to drive impact, and explore new perspectives and embrace change.

Our Commitment to You

We're actively taking steps to make sure our culture, processes and practices promote equal opportunity for all. Join us!

We welcome and encourage all applicants to apply. We’d love the opportunity to consider you.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer

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