Associate Director Safety & Environment

Job Description

Step into a pivotal leadership role where you will cultivate talent and transform our Safety & Environment team into strategic partners, enhancing collaboration and elevating EHS standards across our organization.

For our Animal Health location Boxmeer, we are currently recruiting an Associate Director Safety & Environment

Welcome in our team

Our Environment, Health and Safety department in Boxmeer provides safety and environmental support for our Animal Health organization at the Boxmeer and De Bilt facilities in order to drive towards world class EHS performance. The department (25 employees) covers all the essential EHS expertise. The Safety & Environment team (8 employees) is tasked with developing and implementing safety compliance strategies at the Boxmeer and De Bilt locations. Their responsibilities encompass the management of EHS programs that prioritize Process and High-Risk Work Safety, Chemical Management, Environmental Stewardship, Water and Waste Management, and Sustainability initiatives. Due to the promotion of the current manager, we are looking for an Associate Director Safety & Environment.

About the role

Reporting to the Director of Environment, Health, and Safety, you will play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with regulatory and company standards in Safety and Environmental topics. Your primary responsibilities include supporting operational activities and project development while strengthening the team's capabilities. This involves empowering team members, facilitating effective collaboration on projects, and promoting best practices that enhance safety and environmental performance across the organization. You will evolve the team into strategic partners, working closely with site leadership to elevate EHS standards, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and corporate policies, and drive sustainable growth while enhancing operational efficiency. Additionally, you will actively contribute to complex investment projects and foster a culture of continuous improvement in EHS practices.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Cultivate a high-performing team by identifying, coaching, and developing talent, while enhancing the team's position from advisors to partners with site leaders.
• Actively participate in complex investment projects at growth-oriented sites, ensuring EHS considerations are integrated into project planning and execution.
• Lead initiatives aimed at continuously improving the EHS culture across the site, promoting safety and environmental stewardship as core values.
• Plan, develop, and implement S&E programs to ensure compliance with local and national legislation, corporate standards, and industry best practices.
• Investigate and mitigate risks related to environmental, safety, and sustainability opportunities, ensuring comprehensive change management for all S&E initiatives.
• Provide strong leadership by setting clear expectations for EHS requirements, demonstrating accountability, and acting as a visible advocate for EHS practices.
• Align with other teams within the EHS Department to drive continuous improvement and share best practices.
• Build a network of S&E sponsors and support both on-site and with global organizations, serving as a key member of the Site Leadership team.
• Ensure timely completion of required reports to site, divisional, and corporate management, as well as regulatory agencies.
• Oversee budgetary and capital needs to support S&E initiatives, projects, and programs.
• Serve as the primary interface with local governmental EHS agencies and insurance carriers.
• Advise site management on the safe operation of all S&E processes and communicate complex technical and regulatory information effectively to all levels of staff.
• Lead the development and delivery of required EHS training programs to enhance employee knowledge and compliance.
• Conduct internal audits and self-assessments to monitor program effectiveness and implement corrective actions for continuous improvement.

Your profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Health and Safety, Engineering, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree (such as in Management of Safety, Health, and Environment) or relevant certifications (e.g., NEBOSH, CSP) are highly preferred.
• A minimum of 7-10 years of experience in EHS management, including at least 3 years in a leadership role within a manufacturing or industrial environment, with a proven track record in managing and developing teams.
• Strong leadership- and communication skills with a proven ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to drive a culture of continuous improvement in EHS practices, with experience in implementing best practices and innovative solutions.
• Excellent command of the English language.
• Proximity to Boxmeer, as this role requires on-site presence at least four days a week.

What we offer

An opportunity to utilize your leadership skills to engage effectively with diverse teams and functions, fostering collaboration and a shared vision while guiding site management and stakeholders through complex regulatory landscapes and promoting a culture of safety and environmental excellence. Our benefits are very competitive, and the summary below will give you an idea of what you can expect.

• Competitive salary and a 3% year-end allowance.
• 35,5 days of leave.
• Attractive collective health care insurance package with considerable reduction rates.
• Solid Pension Plan.
• Annual bonus based on own and company performance.
• Travel allowance for commuting.
• Numerous training, coaching and e-learning modules for long term job opportunities and development.

Animal Health

Our Animal Health Division is a trusted global leader in veterinary medicine, dedicated to preserving and improving health, well-being, and performance of animals and the people who care for them. We are a global team of professionals working together to make a positive difference in animal care and the world’s food supply and have a deep sense of responsibility towards our customers, consumers, animals, society, and our planet.

Through our commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, we offer veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability and monitoring products. We invest in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. We are present in more than 50 countries, while our products are available in some 150 markets.

For questions about this vacancy

Please send an email including the vacancy number and job title to the following email address: RecruitmentNL@MSD.com

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Budget Management, Budget Management, Corporate Governance, Corporate Management, Driving Continuous Improvement, EHS Compliance, EHS Management Systems, EHS Program Management, Emergency Response Preparedness, Environment Management, Executive Business Management, Fire Safety, Incident Investigations, Industrial Hygiene, Interpersonal Relationships, Management Process, Mitigated Risks, Occupational Health and Safety Management, Project Leadership, Project Sustainability, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Management, Safety Audits, Safety Management, Site Safety {+ 5 more}

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

07/18/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID: R352490