Environmental, Health, Safety & Sustainability (EHSS) Auditor & Program Lead

Takeda•Lexington, MA

About The Position

This role sits within Takeda’s Enterprise Operational Risk Audit function, embedded within the Global Supply & Quality organization. The role leads and maintains the enterprise Corporate Environmental, Health, Safety & Sustainability (EHSS) audit program in collaboration with internal operational risk assurance domains and capabilities. It manages and continually improves the global program, conducts audits that evaluate corporate EHSS management systems and compliance, and supports mitigation of risks to Takeda. The role partners with the EHS Management Systems Lead to support compliance with the corporate EHS management system and works with corporate EHSS and Global Internal Audit to develop sustainability assurance criteria. It coordinates certification and surveillance audits with an external certification body, and manages external auditors and consultants. The role maintains risk- and compliance-based audit scoping and annual and long-range audit plans, ensures timely delivery and communication of corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), and maintains a qualified guest auditor program. It provides EHSS expertise for third-party due diligence, monitoring, and audits; coaches and trains internal and external audit participants; and develops guidance and training to strengthen EHSS risk identification and compliance capabilities. It also supports audit approaches for capital projects and contractor management, maintains EHSS audit controls and global standards, and leads adoption of digital and AI-enabled solutions to improve audit efficiency. The role reports audit outcomes to the Head of Enterprise Operational Risk Audits, develops insights to support risk escalation, and contributes to corporate EHS management system reviews. It works closely with corporate EHSS to communicate audit findings and inform decisions and technical standards. Travel is an essential requirement at 50%, domestically and internationally.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, life science, business, finance, or a related field.
10+ years of experience in EHS, including experience as an audit lead or auditor internally or as a consultant.
Experience building and leading programs, including strategic communication with leadership.
ISO 14001 or ISO 45001 lead auditor training and certification.
Expert knowledge of EHS management systems, including ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and PSM.
Experience and proficiency working in a global matrixed organization.
Broad audit experience in the USA, EU, and Japan, with knowledge of laws and regulations in these regions.
High proficiency with digital technologies and demonstrable use of AI to create audit efficiencies.
Ability to travel 50% domestically and internationally.

Nice To Haves

At least 5 years of experience in a highly regulated industry, such as biopharmaceuticals, chemicals, refining, or nuclear.
Specialism in one or more technical areas, such as health, safety, industrial hygiene, or environmental compliance.
Experience and certification in sustainability assurance, such as IIA.
Auditing certification, such as BEAC or equivalent.
Project management certification.

Responsibilities

Manage, maintain, and continuously improve the global EHSS audit program in accordance with its roadmap.
Lead the program and conduct audits evaluating corporate EHSS management systems, compliance with standards and regulations, and risks to Takeda.
Partner with the EHS Management Systems Lead to support compliance with the corporate EHS management system.
Coordinate required surveillance and certification audits with the external certification body and collaborate on maintaining relevant ISO certifications.
Coordinate and supervise external consultant auditors; manage the external third-party registrar and external consultant auditors.
Collaborate with corporate EHSS and Global Internal Audit to establish and embed sustainability assurance criteria in the EHSS audit program.
Ensure the program meets internal and external stakeholder needs, including timely delivery and communication of CAPAs.
Establish and maintain a qualified guest auditor program supporting annual and long-range audit plans.
Collaborate on risk- and compliance-based audit scoping methodology and annual and long-range audit planning.
Provide EHSS subject-matter expertise for third-party due diligence, monitoring, and audit programs.
Coach and train internal teams, site EHS staff participating in audits, and external audit consultants.
Develop guidance materials and training to build EHSS risk identification and compliance capability for internal, external, and third-party operations.
Collaborate with stakeholders to establish audit approaches for CAPEX projects and contractor management.
Maintain EHSS audit control documents and global standards.
Lead identification and implementation of digital solutions, including AI and technology, to improve and streamline the audit program and process.
Report audit outcomes to the Head of Enterprise Operational Risk Audits and develop insights to support risk escalation through enterprise risk management and other channels.
Contribute to the corporate EHS management system Management Review process.
Communicate audit-program strengths and weaknesses with corporate EHSS to inform and influence decisions and technical standards.