Senior Specialist, GWES EHS Compliance and Operations (West Point, PA)

Merck • Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Our Global Workplace and Enterprise Services (GWES) team delivers a safe, reliable, and compliant environment that supports research and production while protecting colleagues, communities, and the environment. The Senior Specialist, GWES EHS Compliance and Operations is a field‑facing, execution‑focused role responsible for day‑to‑day Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) compliance across assigned GWES operating areas in the SE Pennsylvania region. This role ensures reliable, compliant operations by simplifying regulatory and permit requirements, EHS standards, and site procedures into practical, site‑level processes; maintaining inspection and audit readiness; and closing commitments from permits, audits, incidents, and process safety reviews. The incumbent will lead inspections and GEMBA/Go‑See walks, conduct incident investigations and drive CAPA development, provide oversight for Management of Change (MOC) activities, and support projects and key EHS programs (loss prevention, chemical management, life safety). Working closely with operations, Integrated Facility Management (IFM) partners, union representatives, third‑party safety providers, GSEWP, and EHS councils, the Senior Specialist will implement practical improvements that simplify compliance, reduce operational burden, and strengthen risk controls.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Safety, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in EHS compliance, facilities/utility operations, engineering, or related technical roles in an industrial, research, or biopharmaceutical environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead EHS incident and near-miss investigations independently, perform root cause analysis, and drive CAPA development to closure.
• Proven experience executing compliance programs, performing inspections, and maintaining inspection/permit tracking with measurable results (e.g., improved inspection completion rates or CAPA closure timelines).
• Experience working in a union environment and effectively partnering with union personnel and representatives.
• Experience providing oversight to Integrated Facility Management (IFM) partners and third‑party contractors, including documenting contractual safety expectations and monitoring performance.
• Hands-on experience with Enablon, SMIS or similar EHS data systems for data entry, tracking and dashboard support.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret MOC and permit implications for operational work and recommend controls or escalate appropriately.
• Strong communication skills with experience delivering training and presenting EHS guidance to operational audiences.
• Proficiency with MS Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Nice To Haves

• Operations and EHS knowledge/experience, especially in high-risk work, and working around large-scale industrial equipment, site facilities, and laboratory equipment (boilers, turbines, chillers, cooling towers, storage tanks, pumps, fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, centrifuges, autoclaves, water treatment systems).
• Professional experience in engineering, facilities work, or related coursework.
• Demonstrated experience supporting permitting (e.g., Title V, RCRA) or process safety activities at the site level.
• Track record of driving process improvements that measurably reduced compliance burden or improved KPI performance.
• Certifications such as OSHA 30, HAZWOPER, CSP, CIH, CHMM, or Lean/Six Sigma Green/Black Belt are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Execute GWES Compliance priorities and support the Associate Director in implementing the GWES EHS compliance governance model across site/region councils and IFM partners.
• Serve as the compliance point-of-contact for assigned operations and run area-level EHS routines (inspections, tiers, GEMBA/Go‑See walks, and good-catch management).
• Lead and document day-to-day EHS programs and compliance activities (e.g., fall protection, competent person training, monthly inspection programs).
• Maintain and track commitments from permits, standards, incidents, audits, CAPAs, and PHAs; facilitate timely closure and escalate unresolved items per governance.
• Provide oversight and guidance for Management of Change (MOC) activities and ensure MOC documentation is maintained.
• Lead EHS incident and near-miss investigations; perform root cause analysis and coordinate CAPA development and closure with stakeholders.
• Manage good-catch entries, ensuring corrective actions and lessons learned are communicated and implemented.
• Support M1/Unit 12 operations, project engineering, and maintenance supervision to integrate compliance into work execution and capital projects.
• Support permitting and EHS impact assessments for area-level projects; help close commitments from inspections, audits, and PHAs.
• Enter and maintain EHS data (Enablon/SMIS) for sewering requests, MOC, CAPA tracking and other records; contribute to dashboards and KPIs that measure compliance performance.
• Drive process improvements that simplify compliance and reduce operational burden.
• Liaise with GSEWP, site operations, Legal, GSMG/GWES, GSE/GES, and EHS Councils to implement site compliance strategies and prioritize initiatives.
• Provide oversight (matrix/contractual) to IFM partners and on-site third-party safety personnel.
• Partner with union personnel and representatives to implement and sustain EHS programs while respecting labor agreements.
• Develop and deliver area-level safety meeting content and training to upskill operations on EHS requirements and best practices.
• Promote proactive EHS behaviors, visual management, and ownership at the floor level.
• Administer departmental learning systems and reporting (e.g., MyLearning), including generating and distributing reports.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days
• annual bonus
• long-term incentive

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees