
Sr. EHS Business Partner
Abbott Laboratories
Summary
This position works out of our Madison, WI location in the Cancer Diagnostics division. As the Senior EHS Site Specialist, you'll lead site environmental, health, safety, and biosafety initiatives; drive regulatory compliance and risk reduction; and build a strong culture of employee engagement and accountability.
Job description
The Opportunity
This position works out of our Madison, WI location in the Cancer Diagnostics division. As the Senior EHS Site Specialist, you'll lead site environmental, health, safety, and biosafety initiatives; drive regulatory compliance and risk reduction; and build a strong culture of employee engagement and accountability.
What You'll Work On
- Serve as the biosafety officer for blood-processing laboratories.
- Lead the site in achieving environmental, health, and safety (EHS) goals and objectives while collaborating with cross-functional teams, including Human Resources, Operations, and Quality, to integrate EHS initiatives into everyday operations.
- Foster an engaged workforce that takes ownership of EHS performance and actively participates in safety and environmental initiatives.
- Serve as a subject matter expert in EHS best practices, regulations, and risk management.
- Provide actionable insights to site leadership and support informed decision-making at the site level.
- Analyze data from safety incidents, audits, inspections, and employee feedback to identify trends, root causes, and areas for improvement.
- Recommend corrective actions, monitor safety performance, drive continuous improvement, and refine EHS processes to ensure implementation of best practices.
- Establish, monitor, and report on EHS performance metrics, ensuring goals are met or exceeded.
- Oversee site compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and standards, including OSHA, EPA, DNR, CDC, DOH, CAP, CLIA, FDA, and New York requirements, and ensure timely and accurate preparation for regulatory inspections and audits.
- Manage regulatory reporting, including OSHA logs and environmental compliance documentation.
- Lead and manage interactions with regulatory agencies and serve as the primary contact during inspections and audits.
- Lead investigations of workplace incidents, identify root causes, and ensure effective corrective actions are implemented.
- Lead the annual update and implementation of risk assessments, job hazard assessments, internal audits, and required regulatory audits.
- Partner with leadership teams to establish goals and objectives based on key EHS risks.
- Lead required EHS training for site leaders and laboratory staff.
- Lead sustainability initiatives that reduce the company's environmental footprint, with a focus on waste reduction, energy efficiency, and water conservation.
- Oversee the development, testing, and maintenance of emergency response plans and procedures.
- Manage real-time responses to emergencies, ensuring effective communication and coordination with internal teams and external agencies.
- Lead and facilitate EHS engagement through teams and committees established to accomplish annual goals and objectives.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Health, or a related field as outlined in the essential duties; or an associate degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Health, or a related field and 2 years of relevant experience in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
- 5+ years of EHS experience, preferably within an industrial, manufacturing, or large-scale operational environment.
- Demonstrated basic understanding of relevant OSHA, EPA, DNR, CDC, DOH, CAP, FDA, New York, and CLIA regulations.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and basic computer skills, including email and internet navigation.
- Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.
- Demonstrated ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Preferred Qualifications
- 7+ years of EHS experience in a biotech manufacturing, medical device technology, clinical laboratory, or research and development environment.
- Experience interpreting and applying biosafety regulations.
- Advanced degree or professional certification, such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH).
- Experience supporting EHS during a period of rapid business growth.
- Professional working knowledge of creating and implementing new processes or procedures for varied employee groups.
- Professional working knowledge of leading projects from initiation through implementation and follow-up.
- Professional working knowledge of ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Health, or related field; or associate degree plus 2 years relevant experience
- 5+ years of EHS experience
- Basic understanding of OSHA, EPA, DNR, CDC, DOH, CAP, FDA, New York, and CLIA regulations
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and basic computer skills
- Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship
- Ability to perform essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation
Benefits
- Retirement savings plan
- Health and wellness benefits
- Career development
Company overview
Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare technology leader founded in 1888 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. As an international medtech and pharmaceutical company, Abbott operates in approximately 160 countries worldwide with a workforce of over 115,000 employees. The company is organized into four major business segments: Medical Devices (48% of revenue), Diagnostics (20%), Nutritional Products (19%), and Established Pharmaceutical Products (12%). Abbott's medical devices portfolio includes revolutionary technologies such as the FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring system for diabetes management, cardiovascular devices like the MitraClip and TriClip for heart valve repair, and neuromodulation systems for chronic pain management. The company's diagnostics division pioneered breakthrough tests including the first licensed HIV blood test in 1985. With a rich history spanning over 135 years, Abbott has consistently been recognized as one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies since 1984 and continues to drive innovation in healthcare technology to help people live healthier, fuller lives.