Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist II

Kyowa Kirin North America•Sanford, NC

13h•$79,000 - $118,500•Onsite

About The Position

Kyowa Kirin is a fast-growing global specialty pharmaceutical company that applies state-of-the-art biotechnologies to discover and deliver novel medicines in four disease areas: bone and mineral; intractable hematologic; hematology oncology; and rare disease. A Japan-based company, our goal is to translate science into smiles by delivering therapies where no adequate treatments currently exist, working from drug discovery to product development and commercialization. In North America, we are headquartered in Princeton, NJ, with offices in California, North Carolina, and Mississauga, Ontario. The EHS Specialist is responsible for supporting the implementation of the EHS program. This includes developing and maintaining EHS compliance programs and continuous improvement projects for the KKNA Manufacturing Facility. As an individual contributor, you will take a compassionate and people-focused approach to your work. You will proactively collaborate with others to create a supportive and inclusive environment, always acting in line with the organization’s values. By using strong interpersonal skills, you will work effectively with diverse viewpoints, manage relationships thoughtfully, and make decisions that meet both individual and team needs. You will be accountable for delivering results, adapting to challenges, and helping achieve business goals. Additionally, you will take ownership of your tasks, act with initiative, and continuously seek opportunities to learn and grow. You will handle change with resilience and clarity, staying flexible in a fast-paced environment while keeping the needs of patients at the center of your efforts. This role reports to the Sr. Manager, Environmental, Health and Safety

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an occupational health and safety or related field and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience as an EHS professional in manufacturing.
Relevant training and/or certification in regulated EHS activities.
Hazardous/biohazardous waste management
DOT hazardous materials shipping
Emergency response
Results-oriented and able to navigate ambiguity.
Set clear outcomes, track progress, follow through on commitments, and ensure actions lead to measurable results that advance organizational objectives.
Respond promptly, take accountability, and manage tasks efficiently.
Adapt to change with clarity, patience, and understanding, guiding teams through evolving challenges.
Exhibit strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a solid work ethic while demonstrating cultural sensitivity and the ability to foster alignment in a global environment.
Communicate with care by actively listening and considering others' perspectives, fostering productive, engaging interactions, and managing relationships with kindness.
Embrace personal growth through continuous learning and knowledge sharing, maintaining a growth mindset.
Promote inclusive collaboration by respecting diverse perspectives and creating a welcoming work environment.
Contribute positively by recognizing achievements and encouraging a healthy work-life balance.
Collaborate with respect, integrity, and humility, prioritizing collective success over individual gain.
Resourceful and proactive, challenge the status quo, drive innovation, and develop creative solutions.
Apply an enterprise-wide, holistic mindset, working beyond siloed thinking to deliver cohesive, integrated solutions.
Must be able to work in a regulated manufacturing environment, including construction/start-up phases, with appropriate PPE.
Requires up to 5% of domestic travel, based on business needs.
This position follows a Monday–Friday day shift (8AM to 4:30 PM).
Regularly works in environments with exposure to machinery, noise, and physical hazards. Appropriate PPE is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with start-up and operation of biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes is a plus.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include: incident response, reporting, and investigations; environmental permit management; and risk management.
Supports implementation of all applicable EHS programs for the site such as: Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO), Confined Space Entry, Industrial Hygiene, Hazard Communication, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Workers Compensation, Emergency Management, etc.
Coordinates with operations to identify and mitigate risks by implementing effective engineering controls, procedures, training, and PPE.
Interface with staff: High visibility in all workspaces to support a positive, practical, safe, and compliant work environment.
Interface with Management: Communicate regularly with system owners or area managers to provide status reports, plan program activities, and review EHS program effectiveness. Co-chair the EHS committee.
Assessments and Inspections: Supports regular internal self-audits and inspections of EHS systems.
EHS Incidents: Respond to reported observations, near misses, injuries and spills, support all reporting, assist employees and supervisors with investigations and corrective and preventative actions (CAPAs). Help maintain regulatory reporting systems.
Regulatory Compliance: Participate during Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), Department of Transportation (DOT), Fire Marshal, or other regulatory inspections. Ensure that staff members understand requirements and operate the site in a compliant manner.
EHS Procedures: Draft, review, and revise EHS policies, procedures, and manuals to ensure that EHS practices are consistent with the applicable regulations and promote safe and compliant behavior.
Employee Training/ Records Retention: Coordinate and provide training as needed for EHS programs. Support the management of EHS records including, but not limited to, waste management, chemical inventory, training, permits, inspections, OSHA Logs, and testing.
PPE: Assess appropriate PPE for each applicable task. Provide training and monitor use.
Waste Management: Support all waste activities including storage, treatment, disposal, reporting, and record keeping.
Emergency Preparedness: Maintain EHS supplies, equipment, materials, and training as specified by EHS procedures or programs.
Industrial Hygiene (IH): Assist with the development, execution, and evaluation of IH monitoring, data reporting, employee notification, and implementation of any necessary improvements to reduce/eliminate employee exposure to chemical and/or physical hazards.
Other assigned duties.
Individual contributor, with responsibility to lead or work with cross-functional project teams.

Benefits

401K with company matching
Annual Bonus Program (Sales Bonus for Sales Jobs)
Generous PTO and Holiday Schedule which includes Summer and Winter Shut-Downs, Sick Days and, Volunteer Days
Healthcare Benefits (Medical, Dental, Prescription Drugs and Vision)
HSA & FSA Programs
Well-Being and Work/Life Programs
Long-Term Incentive Program (subject to job level and performance)
Life & Disability Insurance
Concierge Service
Pet Insurance
Tuition Assistance
Employee Referral Awards