Director, Safety & Environmental

Job Description

Our Company is a trusted global leader in human and veterinary medicine, dedicated to preserving and improving health, well-being and performance. -Our Wilmington Biotech facility is a new state-of-the-art high potent biologics manufacturing facility for potent drug substance and drug product, including Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs), partnered closely with our Research & Development Division to commercialize, launch and supply innovative products with speed, agility and innovation.

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We are seeking a talented, self-directed Environmental Health & Safety Lead to build and lead the EHS function at our new site. As a key member of the Site Leadership Team and Global Safety & Environment (GSE), you will shape the site's EHS culture, drive compliance, and embed EHS excellence across all operations. This role requires strategic thinking, tactical execution, and strong collaboration within a highly matrixed organization.

Role Overview

As the EHS Lead, you will bring energy, knowledge, innovation, and leadership to ensure safe and environmentally compliant operations at our site. You will lead an EHS team, provide expert guidance, and drive continuous improvement to support both operational site initiatives and capital projects. You will be a key member of the Site Leadership Team, responsible for delivering EHS priorities aligned with corporate strategy and regulatory requirements.

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Main Responsibilities

• -------- Build strong relationship with Site Leadership and teams to plan, develop, and implement EHS programs compliant with local laws, company standards, and industry best practices to enable potent biologics manufacturing.

• -------- Build, lead and nurture EHS team to achieve compliance and high performance.

• -------- Set and communicate EHS priorities aligned with site and corporate strategies. Track performance to guide actions.

• -------- Support leadership and operational teams in developing and maintaining local EHS programs to achieve compliance. Conduct assessments to monitor program effectiveness and drive improvements.

• -------- Champion continuous improvement and innovation to drive sustainable EHS performance.

• -------- Advise on safe and environmentally sound operations, ensuring clear communication of regulatory and internal requirements.

• -------- Engage with and serve as the primary liaison with local regulatory agencies and insurance carriers on EHS matters.

• -------- Oversee EHS reporting to site, divisional, corporate management, and regulatory bodies.

• -------- Drive sustainability efforts to meet corporate sustainability goals through effective EHS program management.

• -------- Manage budgets and capital resources to support EHS activities, initiatives and projects.

• -------- Evaluate and oversee EHS requirements for new projects, process changes, and installations.

• -------- Ensure compliance with all site EHS permits and licenses.

• -------- Promote positive workplace behaviors by engaging all organizational levels, emphasizing a commitment and ownership of environmental and safety matters to drive positive EHS culture and continuous improvement.

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Education:

• -------- Required: Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Health and Safety, Engineering, or related technical field.

• -------- Preferred: Master's degree or MBA; relevant professional certifications (e.g., CSP, CIH, NEBOSH, PE, CQA).

Required Experience and Skills

Professional Experience

o --- Minimum 10 years of professional EHS experience in chemical, biotechnology, and/or pharmaceutical manufacturing environments.

o --- At least 8 years leading a site and 3 years leading the EHS function in large capital projects.

o --- Experience implementing and managing EHS programs and organizational change.

o --- Demonstrated success in delivering continuous improvement through Lean Production systems.

o --- Proven ability to support multiple projects and liaise with regulatory agencies and corporate functions.

Technical Knowledge

o --- Strong knowledge of high potent drug manufacturing and plant operations for potent drug substance and drug product.

o --- Deep comprehension of project management principles, and labor relations.

o --- Thorough understanding of applicable EHS regulatory requirements (OSHA, EPA, DOT, ISO, NFPA).

o --- Expertise in risk management, assessment, and implementation of appropriate controls.

o --- Experience developing and implementing sustainable EHS operational procedures and training programs.--

Leadership & Management

o --- Proven leadership, team-building skill and problem-solving skills.

o --- Ability to influence senior leaders and adapt quickly to changing situations.

o --- Skilled in managing complex programs balancing strategic and tactical needs.

o --- Experience in strategy development, tactical execution, and organizational change management.

o --- Demonstrated excellence in project management and continuous improvement initiatives.

o --- Models a strong compliance mindset and demonstrates high integrity.

o --- Highly independent with strong foresight to anticipate organizational needs and issues.

o --- Ability to make rapid, disciplined decisions and prioritize multiple assignments effectively.

• Commitment to fostering a positive safety culture and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

o --- Strong written and oral communication skills; capable of presenting complex information clearly at all organizational levels.

o --- Skilled at distilling complex data into clear, actionable messages.

o --- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and lead others effectively.

Required Skills:
Adaptability, Adaptability, Communication, Corporate Management, Detail-Oriented, EHS Auditing, EHS Program Management, Emergency Response Preparedness, Environment Health and Safety, Fire Safety Management, Hazard Communications (HazCom), Health Safety, Incident Investigations, Industrial Hygiene, Investment Risk Management, ISO 45001, Management Process, Mechatronics, Occupational Safety and Health, Oral Communications, Organizational Change Management, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Process Safety Management, Project Management, Regulatory Compliance {+ 5 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.--As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.- For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement•

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another's thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as "remote".

The salary range for this role is
$153,800.00 - $242,200.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.- Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at .

You can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: -We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: -We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully-
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. -No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.-

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:
Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Job Posting End Date:
11/18/2025
*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE -the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID: R372101