Job Title:

Associate Director - Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)
Location: North Carolina (site-based, e.g. Holly Springs/Durham area)

Position Summary

The Associate Director, EHS will lead the implementation and continuous improvement of world-class environmental, health, safety, and sustainability programs at a fast‑growing biomanufacturing site. Acting as the operational EHS lead, this role maintains a proactive, high‑reliability safety culture, while ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Leadership & Strategy

  • Develop, deploy, and manage EHS and sustainability strategies, policies, and procedures aligned to organizational goals.

  • Act as site lead for EHS compliance and sustainability roadmap.

• Regulatory Compliance

  • Oversee adherence to EPA, OSHA, DOT, NFPA, NEC, and other applicable requirements.

  • Conduct regulatory impact assessments and ensure timely implementation of corrective actions.

• Safety Culture & Training

  • Foster a culture of safety and well‑being throughout operations.

  • Design and deliver EHS training programs across all levels of staff.

• Audit & Risk Management

  • Lead internal and external audits, site inspections, risk assessments, and corrective/preventive action plans.

  • Identify hazards, manage hazardous waste programs, and participate in emergency response planning.

• Team Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Serve as liaison with site leadership, operations, engineering, and regulatory agencies.

  • Work closely with cross‑functional partners on construction safety, new facility launches, and engineering safety initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred)

• Minimum of ~5-10 years of progressive experience in EHS leadership roles (pharmaceutical, biotech, chemical manufacturing environments preferred)

• In-depth working knowledge of regulatory frameworks including OSHA, EPA, DOT, NFPA, and NEC

• Relevant certifications (e.g. CSP, CIH, NEBOSH) highly desirable

• Proven experience planning and executing EHS audits, training programs, and culture-building initiatives

Working Conditions & Environment

• On-site role supporting manufacturing and laboratory operations

• Occasional travel to other company facilities or regulatory agency meetings may be required

• May involve shift support or extended hours during launch or audit periods

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Strategic yet hands-on leader who excels in fast-paced, regulated environments

• Strong communicator and influencer able to engage operational teams and regulators alike

• Passionate about creating sustainable safety cultures that promote compliance, risk reduction, and continuous improvement

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

Asha Longman