Director, Environmental Health & Safety

Avid Bioservices, Inc.; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 166,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

Avid Bioservices is seeking an EHS Director to design and implement comprehensive Environmental, Health, and Safety systems across multiple sites. You will drive compliance with OSHA, OCSD, OCFA, AQMD, and biosafety requirements, including BSL-2 lab safety and chemical hygiene.

You will build training plans, supervise EHS staff, manage budgets, and lead audits with internal and client stakeholders to maintain top safety standards and company-wide visibility.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in IH, Safety, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology or Molecular Biology with the stated experience.
• Experience with biosafety, environmental science, toxicology, industrial hygiene, and lab practices (BSL-2).
• Strong knowledge of safety programs, regulatory compliance, and decision defense.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement EHS programs, policies, and procedures.
• Monitor regulatory changes (OSHA, DOT, EPA, European regs) and advise updates.
• Oversee respiratory protection, lockout/tagout, training, and PPE programs for compliance.
• Conduct EHS audits and implement corrective actions.
• Lead client EHS audits and update programs as needed.
• Manage EHS department budget and track costs.
• Coordinate cross-site safety communications and leadership initiatives.

Skills

Industrial Hygiene

Safety

Chemistry

Biology

Microbiology

Molecular Biology

cGMP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in IH/Safety/Chemistry/Biology/Microbiology/Molecular Biology

Job description

Looking to join a passionate team dedicated to developing and manufacturing life-saving biopharmaceuticals? Avid Bioservices is a leading clinical and commercial biologics CDMO focused on creating innovative solutions to meet the needs of our clients and improve patient outcomes.

Your Role:

The EHS Director will create and implement EHS systems across multiple sites for Avid Bioservices. You will be responsible for implementing and managing a comprehensive EHS program that includes compliance with regulations such as OSHA, OCSD, OCFA, and AQMD; the Injury and Illness Prevention Program; the Employee Medical Monitoring Program; Chemical Hygiene; Lab Safety Standards up to BSL-2 environments; Hazardous Materials; Bloodborne Pathogens; Emergency Response and Evacuation; and Respiratory Protection.

You will build detailed development plans that include new and existing employee training, efficient multi-department interactions, and company-wide visibility, so the most appropriate training is delivered and the highest level of safety is maintained. The role includes routine walkthroughs of manufacturing, laboratory, and administrative areas to confirm ongoing compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement EHS programs, policies, and procedures.
• Monitor changes in the regulatory environment (OSHA, DOT, EPA, European regulations, and others) using established channels such as databases and journals, and make recommendations to the management team for changes to internal policies and procedures.
• Oversee existing EHS programs, including respiratory protection, lockout/tagout, training, and PPE, to ensure compliance with company policy, standards, and regulations.
• Conduct EHS audits and implement appropriate changes to correct findings and comply with regulations, standards, and company policy.
• Assess client requirements and provide recommendations with existing programs
• Establish EHS department budget and track costs
• Lead client EHS audits to ensure compliance and revise programs/procedures if necessary.
• Lead EHS program Q & As for any regulatory inspections.
• Communicate effectively across internal functions to resolve problems in a timely manner and identify alternate solutions when needed, with leadership skills that generate cooperation and progress at all sites.
• Lead, implement, and update the safety program as needed.
• Direct the activities of functional areas for direct reports and supervise EHS staff and their assigned duties.
• Provide technical and professional guidance to EHS staff, and select, assign, train, and evaluate department staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. in Industrial Hygiene, Safety, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or Molecular Biology with at least 7 to 10 years of industry experience developing and implementing safety and environmental programs in a biopharmaceutical, chemical, or other process manufacturing environment; or an M.S. in one of those fields with 5 to 7 years of that experience.
• Experience in comprehensive practices of biosafety, environmental science, toxicology, industrial hygiene, or chemistry, and laboratory practices including BSL-2 laboratories.
• Applicable industry knowledge of safety, perseverance to achieve complete compliance, decisiveness, and the reliability to defend decisions.
• Working knowledge of cGMP practices and their application in the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Proactive, ground floor, hands-on approach to safety.
• Experience and working knowledge with chemicals, gases, steam, heat, and electrical hazards.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This role is a full-time onsite position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday unless otherwise stated by Supervisor. The employee must also have the ability to work overtime and/or weekends when necessary.

Compensation:

We offer competitive compensation packages for this role, including a base salary, performance-based bonuses, and comprehensive benefits such as health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) matching, and paid time off.

The compensation range for this role is $166,400 to $208,000 annually depending on experience and qualifications. Additionally, we offer opportunities for career growth and development as well as a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Who you are:

• You have a "bring it on!" team player approach and an unshakable positive attitude, always ready to tackle anything that comes your way.
• Your written and verbal skills are out of this world, and you communicate with clarity and confidence.
• You have exceptional multitasking skills and an unparalleled attention to detail that ensure the smooth running of everything.
• You are a master at building relationships, capable of establishing connections with anyone, be it team members, clients, vendors, or suppliers.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

In this dynamic role, expect a blend of regular activities like sitting, standing, and walking, with occasional physically engaging tasks such as lifting objects up to 25 pounds. The work environment might expose you to electrical shocks, toxic chemicals, vibrations, or loud noise levels occasionally. However, reasonable accommodations are available to enable individuals with different abilities to perform effectively, ensuring a supportive and adaptable work setting. Your visual acuity, including close, distance, and color vision, will be essential in navigating through the diverse day-to-day demands of this position.