Clean Utility Specialist / HSE Champion

Location: Pearl River, NY

About the role

The Utilities Specialist - HSE Champion is responsible for managing utilities operations and supporting Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) initiatives at the Pearl River site. This role ensures compliance with regulatory and internal standards, supports critical utility systems, and fosters a strong culture of safety across all levels of the organization.

Responsibilities

Utilities Specialist

• Provide technical and subject matter expert (SME) support for utility operations, including equipment troubleshooting and process issue resolution.
• Ensure systems operate in compliance with internal procedures and cGMP requirements.
• Perform detailed root cause investigations for utility system and equipment failures.
• Define corrective actions and oversee implementation.
• Develop and implement efficiency and reliability improvements.
• Design, review, and maintain critical GMP documentation.
• Create and modify preventive maintenance (PM) programs to ensure alignment with cGMP requirements.
• Submit and manage work orders.
• Submit and approve Safety Work Permits.
• Monitor critical utility systems daily to ensure reliability and compliance.
• Participate in after-hours on-call rotation.
• Provide logistics support as required.

HSE Champion

• Cascade monthly HSE updates, KPIs, audit results, and program changes.
• Share best practices and lessons learned across departments.
• Facilitate area-specific risk assessments and Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs).
• Support site programs related to industrial hygiene, biosafety, fire and life safety, occupational safety, process safety, and environmental compliance.
• Attend and actively participate in monthly HSE meetings.
• Maintain and update JHAs and annual risk maps.
• Coordinate product stewardship activities, including SDS updates and chemical inventory management.
• Ensure compliance with medical surveillance requirements and task-based risk assessments.
• Support regulatory compliance programs, including hazardous waste management, spill response, Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs), Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and contractor safety.
• Initiate and manage accident and incident investigations within Qualipso.
• Perform root cause analyses and ensure timely implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Own and track action plans and ensure incidents are linked to relevant risk profiles.
• Conduct internal audits and inspections to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory and corporate requirements.
• Lead Gemba walks and support Managing for Safety & Value (MSV) initiatives.
• Support coactivity planning, permit-to-work processes, and emergency response drills, including fire, spill, MERT, and biohazard exercises.
• Deliver onboarding and safety training for non-GMP areas.
• Maintain and update safety maps and visual management tools.
• Act as a liaison between area managers, HSE, and maintenance teams for escalations and issue resolution.
• Identify, recommend, and escalate continuous improvement opportunities.
• Monitor and trend key safety and performance metrics, including SRR, MSV, injury rates, and incident performance.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications (one of the following):

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering, Safety Science, Occupational Health, Environmental Health & Safety, or a related technical discipline with 3+ years of experience in a pharmaceutical environment.
• Associate's degree in Engineering, Safety Science, Occupational Health, Environmental Health & Safety, maintenance, or equivalent technical certification with 5+ years of experience in a pharmaceutical environment.
• High school degree with 8+ years of experience in a pharmaceutical environment.

Preferred Certifications:

• OSHA 30-Hour Certification (General Industry or Construction).

Skills

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Power BI, iObeya, Qualipso, and EHS Desk.
• Familiarity with MSDS Online, SEDDA, and risk assessment tools.
• Knowledge of chemical and biological safety principles.

Soft Skills

• Strong communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders without direct authority.

Benefits

Sanofi offers a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact. Benefits include high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs, and at least 14 weeks of gender-neutral parental leave. Employees may be eligible to participate in company employee benefit programs.