EHS Compliance and Permitting Supervisor

Job Description

Company Overview

AESC is a global leader in lithium‑ion and LFP battery technology, with a fast‑growing footprint across Japan, the UK, France, China, and the USA. It is now expanding in Spain with a €1‑billion gigafactory in Extremadura that will create up to 900 direct jobs in phase one. The Spanish facility is designed as the first net‑zero industrial park gigafactory in the country, in line with AESC's mission to pioneer sustainable battery manufacturing.

Role Purpose

Are you an environmental professional who enjoys taking a new plant from paper to start-up? As Compliance and Permitting Supervisor, you will own the environmental and industrial permits of AESC's new battery gigafactory in Navalmoral de la Mata , from the final construction stage, through commissioning, to the start of production. This is a role focused on permitting and the environment: environmental authorisation, water, emissions, waste and environmental reporting, together with the plant's EHS legal compliance and ISO 14001 / ISO 45001 management system.

Reporting to the EHS Head of Spain, you will be the day-to-day technical contact for the Junta de Extremadura and the local authorities, work closely with Construction, Engineering, Production, Corporate EHS in China and external consultants, and lead a small team of 2–3 people as the plant grows.

Key Responsibilities

Permits & authorities

- Own the plant's permit register and roadmap: prepare, submit, track and renew all required authorisations (environmental authorisation, water use and wastewater discharge, atmospheric emissions, waste, industrial registration and start-up, fire protection, municipal activity licence).
- Coordinate the technical documentation for each permit with Engineering, Construction, equipment suppliers and consultants, and make sure the installations match the permit conditions.
- Act as the main technical contact for the Junta de Extremadura, the river basin authority, the Navalmoral de la Mata municipality and fire services, and manage meetings, inspections, information requests and deadlines.
- Plan and follow up inspections by accredited bodies (OCA/ECA) and close out findings on time.

Environment

- Ensure compliance with the environmental authorisation and the environmental monitoring programme (emissions, wastewater, noise, soil and groundwater).
- Manage the waste framework: producer registrations, authorised waste managers, records and annual reports.
- Prepare environmental declarations and reports (e.g. PRTR) and support the plant's net-zero and carbon footprint objectives.

Legal compliance, management system & team

- Build and maintain the EHS legal register and the compliance calendar, and report compliance status to the EHS Head of Spain and Corporate EHS.
- Set up and run the EHS management system aligned with ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and AESC Corporate standards, including internal and certification audits.
- Support occupational health & safety compliance (prevention plan, coordination of contractors, Self-Protection Plan) together with the EHS team and the external prevention service.
- Build and lead a small compliance and permitting team as the plant grows.

Led by a diverse and experienced management team, AESC employs more than 14,000 professionals worldwide. The company combines state-of-the-art technology, Japanese craftsmanship and a strong track record in safety to deliver advanced battery solutions. AESC offers a comprehensive portfolio across various cathode chemistries and form factors, including LFP, NCM/MCA, and pouch, cylindrical and prismatic cell formats.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Don’t you want to be part of this cutting-edge and revolutionary company?

#LI-SD1

Requirements / Required skills

- Environment, Health, and Safety
- Environmental Compliance
- Environmental Education
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Impact Assessments
- Environmental Law
- Environmental Permitting
- Environmental Policy
- Hazard and Operability Study
- ISO 14001
- ISO Standards
- Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment
- Environmental Risk Assessment
- Environmental Degradation
- Environmental Impact Reduction In Footwear Manufacturing
- Environmental Claims
- Construction Permitting
- Highway Occupancy Permitting
- Environmental Certification
- Environmental Compliance Assessment
- Environmental Control

Qualifications

What we are looking for

- University degree. A degree in Environmental Sciences or Environmental Engineering is the best fit ; other engineering degrees, chemistry or related fields are also considered.
- At least 8 years of experience in EHS / environmental compliance , including at least 3 years in industrial environments (in-house, or in engineering or consultancy firms working for industrial clients) and at least 3 years managing permits with Spanish authorities .
- Proven experience leading the permitting of a new plant, start-up or major extension (in-house, engineering or consultancy).
- Track record of formal dealings with the Junta de Extremadura and local authorities , and knowledge of Ley 16/2015 de protección ambiental de Extremadura.
- Solid knowledge of environmental authorisation and impact assessment, wastewater discharge, atmospheric emissions, waste regulations (Ley 7/2022) and environmental reporting.
- Hands-on experience in ISO 14001 and/or ISO 45001 audits .
- Experience leading people, or clear readiness to lead a small team.
- Spanish: native or full professional proficiency.
- 5 days a week at the plant: based within approximately 45 minutes of Navalmoral de la Mata or willing to relocate. Valid driving licence and availability to travel to the authorities (e.g. Mérida).
- Excellent written and oral communication with public administrations; structured, precise and deadline-driven; able to influence without direct authority; high ethical standards; proactive and autonomous in a start-up environment; comfortable working with international teams.

Nice to have

- Experience on projects in Extremadura.
- Máster en Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Técnico Superior en PRL), ideally in all three specialities, and knowledge of Spanish OHS legislation (Ley 31/1995, CAE, RD 1215/1997).
- Hands-on EHS experience with the Self-Protection Plan, work permit systems, incident investigation or support to process hazard analyses (HAZOP, What-If).
- ISO 14001 / ISO 45001 Lead Auditor certification, experience setting up a management system from scratch, or NEBOSH.
- Experience with OCA inspections, fire protection, chemical storage (APQ), Seveso or ATEX files, and with high-risk industries (batteries, chemicals, automotive, energy).
- English at a professional working level; Chinese or experience with Chinese / Asian companies is a plus.