Associate Director, Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE)

Our Frederick Manufacturing Center (FMC) creates life-changing medicines for people around the world and has been recognized by our local community as being a Top 50’ Business in Frederick and awarded Frederick County’s ‘Best Place to Work’. This distinctive biologic manufacturing facility, with over 800 employees, plays a direct role in treating patients with cancer, respiratory diseases, and autoimmune conditions globally.

At FMC, we are committed to delivering life-changing medicines while also creating a workplace where people feel valued and connected. From catered site events and friendly competitions to community outreach, environmental and wellness programs, and team-building activities, we make time to celebrate achievements and recognize the diversity of our workforce. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous learning through ongoing skill development and training opportunities for our employees.

Driven by our ambition to accelerate growth, improve patients’ lives, and shape the future of AstraZeneca Operations, there has never been a more exciting time to join our team.

Job Description

The Associate Director, Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving Safety, Health, Environmental, and Sustainability programs at FMC. This leader ensures compliance with government regulations and AstraZeneca global standards in a way that minimizes harm to people, protects the environment, reduces business risk, and aligns with both external and internal regulatory requirements as well as company values.

This role is on site 5 days per week (Monday through Friday).

Key Accountabilities

• Program Leadership: Develop, implement, and continuously enhance site SHE programs, policies, and management systems to meet or exceed regulatory requirements and corporate expectations. Regularly review and update systems to drive continuous improvement and maintain best-in-class SHE practices.
• Risk Management: Conduct comprehensive risk assessments, audits, and inspections to identify and control hazards. Lead data collection and analysis of risk trends and recommend proactive controls to strengthen hazard prevention.
• Investigations and Compliance: Participate in site investigations related to SHE incidents, support internal and external audits, develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs), and support tech transfer, capital projects, continuous improvement initiatives, job hazard analyses (JHAs), and HAZOPs to ensure robust evaluation and risk mitigation.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as the site’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) for SHE by developing, updating, and implementing programs, procedures, and guidelines across safety, health, environmental, and sustainability areas. Provide expertise and leadership for site projects, ensuring all initiatives meet SHE requirements and support site objectives. Maintain the site in an audit-ready state.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Partner with Facilities, Engineering, and other site functions to manage serious injury and fatality (SIF) prevention programs. Support both large and small capital projects by providing engineering design input, participating in HAZOPs and risk assessments, overseeing contractors, and providing field support to ensure compliance with SHE programs and standards.
• Contractor Oversight: Oversee and direct contractor staff and service providers, ensuring full compliance with site SHE programs and standards.
• Regulatory and Industry Awareness: Proactively monitor new regulations and evolving industry best practices to ensure the site maintains a future-ready SHE program. Integrate regulatory updates and innovations into site SOPs and training programs.
• Training and Culture: Develop, deliver, and continuously improve SHE training programs for all personnel to ensure understanding, engagement, and compliance. Foster a culture of learning, accountability, and empowerment across site teams.
• Strategic Support: Support the SHE Director in executing strategic and operational plans. Contribute to the development and management of the departmental budget and provide leadership to enhance overall SHE performance and culture at the site.

Essential Experience and Skills

• At least 8–10 years of relevant professional experience in safety, health, environmental, or related fields, including several years in progressively responsible leadership or management roles.
• Bachelor’s degree in Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, or a related scientific or technical discipline.
• Professional certification or demonstrated expertise such as CSP, CIH, or PE.
• Experience supporting compliance programs, risk assessments, audits, investigations, and training in a regulated manufacturing environment.

Desired Experience and Skills

• Advanced degree preferred.
• 10–15+ years of relevant experience.
• Process Safety Management (PSM) experience or background preferred.
• Experience in biologics, pharmaceutical, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments preferred.

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $126,596 to $189,894. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Date Posted

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.