HSE Manager

Location: Saudi Arabia

Experience: 7–13 Years

Industry Preference: Pharmaceutical / Healthcare / Manufacturing

Department: Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

Job Summary

The HSE Manager will be responsible for leading and managing the Health, Safety and Environmental function across pharmaceutical manufacturing, warehouse, laboratory, and office operations. The role is responsible for developing and implementing HSE strategies, policies, procedures, risk management programs, emergency preparedness, and compliance initiatives to ensure a safe and environmentally responsible workplace in accordance with Saudi regulations and international best practices.

The position will work closely with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Facilities, HR, Supply Chain, and senior management to promote a strong safety culture and continuously improve HSE performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the company’s HSE strategy, policies, procedures, and management systems.

• Ensure compliance with Saudi Arabian occupational health and safety requirements and applicable regulatory standards.

• Conduct and oversee Risk Assessments, Job Safety Analysis (JSA), HAZOP, HIRA, and workplace inspections.

• Identify hazards associated with pharmaceutical manufacturing, laboratories, cleanrooms, warehouses, chemical handling, and facility operations.

• Develop and maintain emergency response, fire prevention, evacuation, business continuity, and crisis management plans.

• Lead investigations of accidents, incidents, near misses, occupational injuries, and unsafe conditions, including root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).

• Establish and monitor HSE KPIs, including incident rates, near misses, safety observations, corrective actions, training completion, and inspection performance.

• Develop and deliver HSE training programs, toolbox talks, safety inductions, emergency response training, and awareness campaigns.

• Ensure appropriate selection, availability, and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

• Manage contractor HSE requirements, contractor induction, permits, audits, and performance monitoring.

• Conduct regular workplace inspections and HSE audits and ensure timely closure of identified findings.

• Coordinate occupational health programs, medical surveillance, and workplace health assessments where applicable.

• Support investigations and management of chemical, biological, ergonomic, electrical, fire, and other occupational hazards.

• Ensure safe management, storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous chemicals and pharmaceutical-related materials.

• Work closely with Quality and Production teams to ensure HSE requirements are integrated into pharmaceutical manufacturing and laboratory activities.

• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems.

• Maintain HSE documentation, records, reports, permits, risk assessments, inspection reports, and compliance registers.

• Prepare periodic HSE performance reports and present key findings and improvement plans to senior management.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing workplace incidents, improving safety culture, and minimizing environmental impact.

• Ensure employees are informed of workplace hazards and adequately trained in applicable safety procedures and controls.

Pharmaceutical Industry Responsibilities

• Ensure HSE controls are effectively implemented within pharmaceutical production areas, cleanrooms, laboratories, warehouses, utilities, and maintenance areas.

• Manage risks related to hazardous chemicals, solvents, compressed gases, pharmaceutical substances, laboratory chemicals, and biological hazards.

• Support safe handling and storage of raw materials, finished products, chemicals, and hazardous waste.

• Ensure appropriate controls for exposure to hazardous substances, dust, vapors, noise, and other occupational hazards.

• Participate in facility modifications, new equipment installations, and projects from an HSE perspective.

• Support GMP-related activities where HSE requirements intersect with pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.

• Coordinate with Quality Assurance and other departments during audits, inspections, and corrective-action programs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health, Engineering, Industrial Safety, or a related field.

• 7–13 years of progressive HSE experience, preferably within pharmaceutical manufacturing, healthcare, chemical, FMCG, or other highly regulated industries.

• Previous experience managing HSE teams and implementing HSE programs across multiple operational areas.

• Strong knowledge of Saudi occupational health and safety requirements.

• Experience with ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.

• Strong knowledge of risk assessment, incident investigation, emergency management, fire safety, and occupational health.

• Experience with HSE audits, inspections, contractor management, and regulatory compliance.

• Strong analytical, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent written and spoken English; Arabic is highly desirable