HSE Specialist (Occupational Health)

Novartis; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis in Durham, NC is seeking an HSE Specialist to lead the Occupational Health Program across a manufacturing and laboratory campus. You will develop and continuously improve Chemical Hygiene, Hazard Communication, Respiratory Protection, Ergonomics, Hearing Conservation, Confined Space, and Occupational Medical programs while partnering with site functions to drive performance and compliance.

As Chemical Hygiene Officer you will manage chemical inventory, risk assessments, control

Qualifications

• BS degree or higher in Occupational Health & Safety, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of HSE program development and management experience in manufacturing or laboratory environments.
• Strong technical knowledge across Health, Safety, and Environment disciplines.
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections, audits, and compliance activities.
• Excellent communication and technical writing skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and improve Occupational Health programs (Chemical Hygiene, Hazard Communication, Respiratory Protection, Ergonomics, Hearing Conservation, Confined Space, Occupational Medical).
• Serve as Chemical Hygiene Officer overseeing inventory, risk assessments, controls, and training.
• Partner with manufacturing, laboratory, warehouse, facilities, and support functions to improve HSE programs.
• Provide HSE technical expertise for new equipment, changing operations, and site changes.
• Lead training development and delivery to promote a proactive safety culture.
• Lead inspections, investigations, audits, and regulatory activities with corrective actions.
• Analyze HSE performance trends and drive continuous improvement.
• Assist with emergency preparedness and response activities.

Skills

HSE program development

Regulatory compliance

Technical writing

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health & Safety

Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)

Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

Job description

Summary

Location: Durham, North Carolina, United States

About The Role

Imagine serving as the Lead for the Occupational Health Program for a dynamic manufacturing and laboratory campus while helping protect associates and strengthen a proactive safety culture. As the HSE Specialist, you will develop and continuously improve critical programs such as chemical hygiene, hazard communication, respiratory protection, ergonomics, hearing conservation, confined space, and occupational medical. You will collaborate across site departments, provide technical HSE expertise for changing operations and equipment, support regulatory compliance and inspection readiness, and help ensure the successful implementation of Novartis Health, Safety, and Environment standards across the site.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and continuously improve Occupational Health programs, including Chemical Hygiene, Hazard Communication, Respiratory Protection, Ergonomics, Hearing Conservation, Confined Space, and Occupational Medical programs.
• Serve as the Chemical Hygiene Officer, overseeing chemical inventory management, risk assessments, control implementation, and employee training.
• Partner with manufacturing, laboratory, warehouse, facilities, and support functions to develop and continuously improve HSE programs and services.
• Provide HSE technical expertise for new equipment, changing operations, product transfers, and site change management activities.
• Support the development and delivery of HSE training programs while promoting a strong, proactive, and enabling safety culture across the site.
• Lead inspections, investigations, audits, and regulatory activities, ensuring effective corrective actions, audit readiness, and compliance with HSE requirements.
• Analyze HSE performance trends and drive continuous improvement initiatives that advance site HSE excellence and business performance.
• Assist with implementation of emergency preparedness and response activities.

Essential Requirements

• BS degree or higher in Occupational Health & Safety, Chemical Engineering, or related field, with 5+ years of HSE program development and management experience in a manufacturing or laboratory environment, preferably within the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Strong technical knowledge across Health, Safety, and Environment disciplines, including occupational health programs and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated proficiency in chemical and biological risk assessments, including development and management of effective risk control programs.
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections, audits, and compliance activities within a regulated manufacturing or laboratory environment.
• Strong influencing, collaboration, and relationship-building skills with the ability to work effectively across a matrixed organization.
• Excellent communication and technical writing skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable Requirements

• Professional HSE certifications such as Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) or Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or a desire to attain them.
• Experience supporting biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations and laboratory environments.

The salary for this position is expected to range between $89,600 and $166,400 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

Why Novartis:

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards:

Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.

Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)

EEO Statement

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.