Manager, Chemical Safety Operations

About the role

We are seeking a Manager, Chemical Safety Operations who will serve as the on-site subject matter authority for chemical safety while partnering closely with management and external vendors to translate program requirements into disciplined daily practice across the laboratory. This is a highly visible, hands-on opportunity for a life sciences professional who brings strong chemical safety judgment and a practical approach to lab operations. The role offers meaningful breadth: protecting people and the integrity of the work while also supporting purchasing, vendor coordination, inventory control, and general laboratory readiness. You will help ensure research teams operate safely, efficiently, and with the infrastructure needed to advance a demanding therapeutic mission.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary on-site resource for chemical safety, providing practical guidance, education, and day-to-day support to laboratory and operations staff.
• Act as the principal internal liaison to the external safety vendor, coordinating site visits, audits, training sessions, action items, and implementation follow-through to ensure safety recommendations are executed effectively on site.
• Maintain the chemical inventory system, including accurate SDS records, compliant labeling, and proper storage and segregation of chemicals across laboratory spaces.
• Oversee accumulation areas and routine hazardous waste handling in coordination with the external safety vendor and internal stakeholders.
• Conduct regular safety walk-throughs, identify hazards, document observations, and drive corrective actions in partnership with your manager.
• Lead or support chemical safety onboarding and refresher training for new and existing laboratory personnel, using established EHS frameworks and site-specific practices.
• Manage PPE inventory and availability, ensuring appropriate selection, use, and replenishment across laboratory environments.
• Support chemical spill response and safety incident documentation, including root-cause follow-up and corrective action tracking with external EHS partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, or a closely related life science field.
• 4–7 years of experience in a laboratory environment with clear responsibility for chemical safety functions such as chemical inventory management, SDS administration, hazardous waste handling, hazard assessments, and safety training.
• Working knowledge of OSHA HazCom, chemical segregation and storage, PPE selection, spill response, and waste management requirements, including RCRA principles relevant to laboratory operations.
• Demonstrated ability to apply biology and chemistry knowledge with strong science, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to identify risk and translate requirements into practical lab guidance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to document findings, communicate corrective actions, and partner effectively with scientists, operations colleagues, vendors, and external EHS consultants.
• Experience using judgment and decision-making in a regulated or quality-minded environment, with comfort managing competing priorities and resolving issues with discretion and urgency.
• Comfortable operating in an ambiguous, fast-moving environment; willing to step outside defined responsibilities and support the broader team as priorities shift.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn EHS software, inventory tools, and lab informatics platforms quickly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in biotech, pharmaceutical, or CRO settings.
• Exposure to outsourced EHS partnership models.
• Familiarity with purchasing, vendor management, equipment coordination, or growth-stage laboratory operations.
• Professional development in EHS, such as coursework toward CSP, CHMM, or a related credential.