Senior Safety Specialist – Engineering & Maintenance (M/F/X)
Engineering, Validation & Maintenance (EVM) – EHS / Occupational Safety
Role Summary
- Lead occupational safety activities within multidisciplinary engineering and maintenance projects
- Ensure safe preparation and execution of facility upgrades
- Act as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) practices
- Provide on-site supervision and coordination of contractors and project teams
- Drive continuous improvement of safety culture, systems, and procedures
Key Responsibilities
- Act as safety lead during both project preparation and execution phases
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate EHS requirements into project plans
- Serve as primary contact for safety-related topics with engineers, contractors, and stakeholders
- Supervise daily field activities, ensuring compliance with safety procedures and timelines
- Coordinate workers and subcontractors, assigning tasks and ensuring safe execution
- Develop and manage EHS plans, work permits, and safety documentation
- Monitor work quality and resolve technical and safety issues
- Ensure adherence to safety standards, procedures, and regulations
- Maintain and improve site safety processes (e.g., permit-to-work, LOTOTO, FARIP, working at heights)
- Conduct safety risk assessments and support project safety evaluations
- Lead or support incident investigations and implement corrective actions
- Develop and deliver safety training programs for employees and contractors
- Participate in internal and external audits (e.g., ISO 14001, regulatory inspections)
- Coach and mentor team members to strengthen safety culture
Required Qualifications (Non-Negotiable)
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Engineering, Safety, or a related field
- Minimum 7+ years of experience in construction management, civil engineering, or similar environments
- Strong experience with EHS systems and occupational safety practices
- Experience with international standards such as ISO 14001
- Fluent in Dutch and English (written and spoken)
- Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
Essential Experience & Skills
- Strong background in occupational safety within engineering or construction environments
- Experience supervising field activities and managing contractors
- Ability to conduct risk assessments and implement safety improvements
- Knowledge of safety systems such as permit-to-work and LOTOTO
- Experience working in complex, multi-level organizations during change
- Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills
- Ability to coach and influence teams toward long-term safety improvements
- Strong collaboration and cross-functional communication skills
Desirable Experience & Skills
- Certification as secondary safety expert (MVK) or equivalent
- Experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or regulated environments
- Experience leading safety programs and system improvements
- Background in training and developing safety competencies
- Familiarity with GMP environments and compliance requirements
Practical Details
- Location: Leiden, Netherlands
- Work Model: On-site / Project-based
- Start Date: ASAP
- Contract Type: +12 months