Senior HSE Specialist

Hovione is an independent family owned international group of companies. From the beginning, we have set ourselves above and apart through our innovative technological and productive capabilities, reaching a top spot in the world market as an integrated Contract Development and Manufacturing Company dedicated to helping Pharmaceutical Customers bring new and off-patent drugs to market.

Our people are the main asset for our continued success. Reaching over 1950 team members, from 36 different nationalities, that are located across Asia, Europe and North America (Portugal, US, Macao, Ireland, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, and Switzerland), including 4 production sites.

Working at Hovione means reaching for innovation and excellence in everything we do: for our clients, our partners and, above all, our patients. That is why we are In it for life.

• Lead the implementation of HSE & Sustainability management systems, policies, procedures, and standards across the site, ensuring alignment with applicable laws and corporate requirements (incl. ISO 14001 & ISO 45001); 

• Plan and perform risk assessments (e.g., Chemical Risk Assessment, Task Risk Assessment, PHA) and participate in HAZOP studies; define, track, and verify mitigation plans; 

• Coordinate incident/nearmiss investigations, conduct rootcause analysis, and ensure robust corrective and preventive actions with effective knowledge sharing; 

• Design and deliver HSE training and communications for diverse audiences; build materials and measure competency/effectiveness; 

• Lead internal audits and inspections; coordinate external/regulatory audits and ensure timely, effective closure of findings; 

• Establish HSE metrics, dashboards, and reports; analyze trends to make quality, datadriven decisions and drive continuous improvement; 

• Provide HSE leadership to engineering and construction projects (design to commissioning), embedding HSE Design Standards in Process Safety, Fire Safety, and Occupational Safety; 

• Manage, coach, and develop an HSE team (4 direct reports + 2 during startup), setting priorities, allocating resources, and ensuring delivery to plan; 

• Maintain GMP and HSE compliance, and steward procedures and documentation (COPs, HBR, SOPs, and related systems), ensuring effective implementation in operations; 

• Engage stakeholders (operations, engineering, quality, procurement, contractors, and community) to strengthen safety culture; anticipate risks, manage uncertainty, escalate roadblocks, and ensure emergency preparedness. 

• Degree in Engineering, Environmental/Occupational Health & Safety, or a related field; 
• At least 6 years of HSE experience in industrial environments; 
• Strong Process Safety background with HAZOP participation/facilitation, Chemical & Task Risk Assessments, and application of HSE Design Standards; 
• Hands‑on experience leading internal/external audits; solid knowledge of ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management systems and risk assessment tools; 
• Experience supporting or leading construction/commissioning projects; 
• Project management capability; able to manage complex analyses, prioritize effectively, and escalate roadblocks early; 
• Fluency in English. 

Hovione is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer

Inclusion and diversity are key to us. At Hovione, that means a work environment where differences are valued, and everyone is treated with fairness and respect. We want all our team members worldwide to feel supported, respected, and have the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of their age, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation or ethnicity.

Notice to Agencies and Search Firms Representatives

Hovione does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies or search firms for this job posting. Any resumes submitted to Hovione by a third-party agency or search firm without a valid written and signed search agreement will become the sole property of Hovione. No fees will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited referral.