HSE Specialist (Facility Safety)
Novartis
Summary
Support the implementation and continuous improvement of site HSE facility and contractor safety programs in alignment with local, regional, and global requirements. This position will assist in management of potential risks to human health and/or the environment resulting from activities involving facility maintenance operations.
Job description
Key Responsibilities
- Supports development and implementation of facility safety and compliance programs (e.g., confined space, LOTO, hot work, fall protection, electrical safety), including commissioning safety with project teams and managing contractor resources.
- Drives safety-critical preventive maintenance, inspection programs, and participates in self-inspections with corrective action implementation.
- Supports contractor safety program administration, including contractor pre-qualification, training, and HSE assessments for capital projects (new facilities and decommissioning).
- Participates in hazard assessments across facility and scientific operations to ensure safe project and operational environments.
- Support compliance with site facility fire protection systems and code compliance programs.
- Participates in coordination with FM Global and supports tracking of recommendation & implementation action plans.
- Leverages risk assessment insights to recommend and implement control strategies and HSE program improvements.
- Acts as key HSE contact—driving incident investigations, ensuring compliance documentation, and partnering with stakeholders to implement programs.
Essential Requirements
- 1-3 years of relevant HSE program experience, preferably with knowledge and experience with facilities-based safety programs and contractor safety programs.
- A working knowledge of pharma industry and the nuances of pharma HSE issues is a plus.
- Highly motivated self-starter with a proven ability to assume accountability & responsibility, take ownership for his/her work, and intelligently challenge the status quo.
- Competency in analytical and problem solving skills.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to collaborate and build relationships with internal stakeholders as well as key external vendors.
- Demonstrates willingness and capacity to learn and apply HSE regulatory requirements in a dynamic environment.
Desirable Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a safety management, industrial hygiene, environmental science, occupational health and/or medicine, chemistry, or related field.
- Experience working in a research laboratory environment a plus.
- Fluent in English (oral and written).
Requirements
- 1-3 years of relevant HSE program experience
- Knowledge and experience with facilities-based safety programs
- Knowledge and experience with contractor safety programs
- Working knowledge of pharma industry and pharma HSE issues
- Highly motivated self-starter with accountability and ownership
- Competency in analytical and problem solving skills
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to collaborate and build relationships with internal stakeholders and external vendors
- Willingness and capacity to learn and apply HSE regulatory requirements
- Bachelor's degree in safety management, industrial hygiene, environmental science, occupational health and/or medicine, chemistry, or related field
- Experience working in a research laboratory environment
- Fluent in English (oral and written)
Benefits
- Performance-based cash incentive
- Annual equity awards
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Disability benefits
- 401(k) with company contribution and match
- Vacation
- Personal days
- Holidays
Company overview
Novartis is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, dedicated to reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. As an innovative medicines company, Novartis focuses on developing high-value treatments that address society's greatest disease burdens through technology leadership in research and development. The company operates across five core therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases; immunology; neuroscience; oncology; and hematology. With a workforce of approximately 75,883 employees worldwide, Novartis reaches nearly 300 million patients across 118 countries. The company leverages advanced technology platforms including targeted protein degradation, cell therapy, gene therapy, radioligand therapy, and xRNA to develop breakthrough treatments. Novartis maintains a strong portfolio of oncology drugs and generics while continuously expanding its pipeline through strategic acquisitions and internal research. The company's commitment extends beyond drug development to ensuring global access to medical innovations through novel access approaches and patient assistance programs.