Head of Health and Hygiene & Biosafety

R2857052 Head of Health and Hygiene & Biosafety

Location: Toronto, ON (Onsite)

About the job

Join a global network that powers how Sanofi delivers — seamlessly, purposefully, and at scale. In Manufacturing & Supply, you’ll help reimagine how life-changing treatments reach people everywhere, faster. 

The Head of Health and Hygiene & Biosafety is responsible for ensuring strategic oversight and implementation of the biosafety/biosecurity (bio risk) and industrial hygiene (IH) programs at the Sanofi Toronto facility. This includes leadership and direction on the programs and ongoing compliance for operations. This position works closely with and provides leadership to department Directors and Managers, the site Biosafety Committee and HSE Risk Committee. This position will report to the Head of Site HSE ​ and provides leadership to management on bio risk and IH and assures compliance and maintenance of the site biosafety HPTR licenses to operate.  

This position works closely with the site Occupational Health Centre to ensure all biohazard and chemical risks are assessed and that appropriate medical surveillance is in place. This position is also responsible for keeping the HSE site outbreak and pandemic program up-to-date and participating in site pandemic/outbreak response activities as necessary. 

This position manages a team of biosafety and industrial hygiene personnel, which includes internal employees and contracted resources as needed. 

About Sanofi

We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. 

Main Responsibilities:

Biosafety Program Management (40%) 

• Assure compliance with the applicable requirements of the Canadian Biosafety Standard and the conditions of the Human Pathogens and Toxins Licences as issued by the Public Health Agency of Canada. 

• Responsible for appointment, direction and supervision of a biosafety officer, to work collaboratively with Directors and senior managers, and provide leadership and guidance to manufacturing, quality, research and development operations. If no biosafety officer is appointed, to act as the site biosafety officer. 

• Lead the development and improvement over a comprehensive, site-wide biosafety/biosecurity program and ensure compliance with applicable federal, provincial, and Sanofi regulations and requirements. 

• Maintain a close working relationship with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with a variety of provincial and federal legislation 

• Design and oversee site biosafety inspections/audit program to verify procedures and standards are rigorously followed, and to ensure corrective actions are taken for any non-compliances. 

• Lead the development and delivery of training related to applicable biosafety and biosecurity compliance, risks, policies, standards and practices. 

• Provide technical support, advice and guidance on biosafety and biosecurity matters related to facility containment/design, operational procedures, practices and biocontainment equipment. 

• Lead and facilitate biosafety risk assessments to identify risks and support the implementation of applicable controls. 

• Reviews the import/export of biohazardous materials to/from the site to ensure compliance with all permitting requirements 

• Develop site Biosafety metrics and key performance indicators 

• Organize and run the site Biosafety Committee 

• Participate in the global Sanofi Biosafety (Tribio) program, including participation in global biosafety committee meetings and biosafety audits of other Sanofi sites 

Industrial Hygiene Program Management (50%) 

• Responsible for appointment, direction and supervision of an industrial hygiene manager to work collaboratively with Directors and senior managers, and provide leadership and guidance to manufacturing, quality, research and development operations and continually monitor and improve the site’s IH program, including assurance of compliance with Sanofi and other regulatory standards and requirements 

• Develop site IH metrics, key performance indicators, and continual improvement goals 

Medical Surveillance and Occupational Health Liaison (10%) 

• Work directly with the Occupational Health Manager to regularly review and update medical surveillance procedures, as applicable, to ensure biosafety and hygiene-related risks are addressed and mitigated 

• Ensure Medical Surveillance Standard Operating Procedures are kept updated, including assessing new/changing biological and chemical risks as needed 

• Participate in incident investigations and provide expert biosafety and hygiene advice to Occupational Health Centre 

• Manage the HSE Outbreak Preparedness and Response Program, including updating the program and SOP as needed, providing advice to the site crisis team during an outbreak or pandemic situation, developing educational tools and training, and coordinating site response activities, in accordance to Sanofi and local requirements 

Other HSE Duties: (as needed) 

• HSE Team Support. Act as an HSE contact for client/departmental support as needed, participate in HSE on call rotation to ensure 24/7 coverage of site operations. 

• Hire and manage temporary and contracted resources (e.g., coop students, contingent workers) 

• Responsible for oversight of and budgeting for the biosafety and industrial hygiene programs to ensure they are consistently deployed 

• Other HSE duties as assigned. 

About You

• Bachelor's degree required, OR Advanced degree (MSc) highly preferred. 

• Certified Industrial Hygiene (CIH) designation highly preferred.

• 5-10 years of practical HSE experience, with experience managing a biosafety program

• Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP), or equivalent professional credential, preferred (or ability to obtain credential within a year of hire) 

• Experience managing the biosafety program for a Containment Level 3 (CL3/BSL3) facility preferred.

• Strong Industrial Hygiene management experience. 

• Knowledge of Canadian safety, biosafety, and other regulatory requirements are required.

• Previous pharmaceutical and/or GMP laboratory experience is highly preferred. 

Why Choose Us?

• Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team. 

• Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally. 

• Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact. 

• Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs.​ 

All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs, and additional benefits information can be found here.

Toute compensation sera déterminée en fonction de l'expérience démontrée. Les employés peuvent être admissibles à participer aux programmes d'avantages sociaux de l'entreprise. Des informations supplémentaires sur les avantages sociaux peuvent être trouvées ici.