Environmental Health and Safety Lead

Abbott•Caguas, PR

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Environmental Health and Safety Lead supports Abbott’s Medical Devices / Structural Heart business at its on-site location in Caguas, Puerto Rico. The role supports the development, implementation, and maintenance of health, safety, and environmental management systems in accordance with recognized standards and Abbott policies. It partners with operational leadership to set EHS targets and objectives and provides leadership and support for compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including OSHA, EPA, DOT, IATA, DHS, MPCS, and IFC. The position oversees environmental and safety activities, regulatory compliance, permits, reporting, audits, emergency response updates, corrective actions, and management reviews. It also provides work direction to EHS Specialists/Engineers, supports department budgeting and staffing, and helps maintain a safe and professional work environment. The role requires independent management of complex projects and daily responsibilities, collaboration across a matrixed organization, and travel to company, vendor, field, and customer locations, including international travel. The posted travel details state both 25% in the qualifications and 15% in the job details.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 5 years of experience in the health and safety field and program management.
Knowledge of safety program management and environmental reports.
Good verbal and written communication skills in English, Spanish, and regulatory language.
Ability to navigate and interpret OSHA regulations, fire codes, and applicable regulations.
Ability to work with little direction and independently drive complex projects to completion.
Solid understanding of technical skills needed for traditional EHS duties at a higher, more independent level.
Ability to manage multiple projects and daily responsibilities successfully.
Ability to discern and appropriately communicate sensitive issues.
Ability to work in a highly matrixed and geographically diverse business environment.
Strong leadership skills, including setting goals and giving respectful, constructive feedback to build relationships and improve business results.
Ability to work effectively within a team in a fast-paced, changing environment.
Strong organizational, planning, and follow-up skills, and ability to hold others accountable.
Ability to travel; the description states 25%, including international locations, and separately lists 15% travel.
Keyboard use for at least 50% of the workday.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a broader enterprise or cross-division business-unit model.
Master’s degree in occupational health and safety or a related field.
OSHA 30-hour training.
HAZWOPER.
Potable water certification.
RCRA.

Responsibilities

Ensure consistent establishment of objectives and processes in accordance with Abbott safety and environmental policies.
Ensure EHS performance meets or exceeds operational legal and policy requirements.
Ensure occupational health and safety risks are controlled and established monitoring methods are effective.
Support development of division EHS policies and programs.
Participate with Operations in developing EHS targets and objectives aligned with corporate objectives.
Communicate site EHS targets and objectives and provide performance input and recommendations for improvement.
Review, critique, and update environmental response plans; communicate environmental emergencies to GEMR.
Manage compliance permits and periodic reports and communicate EMS expectations.
Assist with CAPA closure and determining root causes and corrective-action effectiveness.
Investigate nonconformities, ensure root-cause analysis, and review completion.
Provide input and support for the Management Review process.
Support legal and regulatory compliance audits and other regulatory activities; review operations for compliance.
Manage or oversee day-to-day environmental activities to ensure compliance.
Provide work direction and support to EHS Specialists/Engineers.
Maintain knowledge of federal, state, and local regulatory requirements affecting Abbott operations.
Develop EHS databases to manage environmental health and safety initiatives.
Support management of the department budget.
Hire and retain a diverse, qualified staff; provide ongoing performance feedback.
Set goals aligned with department plans and manage their execution through coaching and mentoring.
Maintain a safe and professional work environment.
Support company initiatives and comply with QMS, EMS, FDA regulations, other regulatory requirements, company policies, procedures, processes, and task assignments.
Maintain positive, cooperative communication and collaboration with employees, customers, contractors, and vendors at all levels.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Use standard office equipment, telephone, cellular phone, and personal computer; operate a motor vehicle for work-related travel and commute to airports for airline travel.