Director, Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S)

Join our Mission to Protect Humankind!

Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company engineering high-fidelity vaccines to protect humankind from the consequences of bacterial diseases, which have serious and costly health consequences when left unchecked. Working to eradicate or treat bacterial infections such as invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, periodontitis and Shigella is just the beginning. Our path to success is clear and well-defined, and Vaxcyte is set up to go the distance. 

WHAT we do is every bit as important as HOW we do it! Our work together is guided by four enduring core values:

*RETHINK CONVENTION: We bring creative and intellectual diversity to every facet of the work we do in order to innovate and re-innovate the way vaccines are delivered.

*AIM HIGH: We embody our collectively audacious goal to courageously make the most complex biologics ever attempted to protect humankind.

*LEAD WITH HEART: Everyone leads at Vaxcyte with a kindness-first, inclusive approach to collaboration and vigorous debate that advances our business objectives.

*MODEL EXCELLENCE:  The magnitude of our challenge requires our shared commitment to demonstrating integrity, accountability, equality and clarity across communications and decision making.

Summary:

Vaxcyte is seeking a talented, pro-active, and self-motivated individual to join our growing Facilities and Lab Operations Team. The Director, EH&S is a very hands-on role and is responsible for developing, implementing and oversight of Vaxcyte’s headquarter and global EH&S compliance programs for Vaxcyte laboratories, offices, co-share spaces, GMP facilities, manufacturing/clinical manufacturing sites including, general lab safety, global regulatory compliance, training, and ergonomics. The Director, EH&S is a critical point of contact for lab and office personnel, addressing safety questions and concerns, and helping to drive and maintain a culture of safety and compliance.

This role will be instrumental in ensuring our global facilities, lab operations, laboratories, and manufacturing sites are ready for growth with Vaxcyte’s current and projected product pipelines.  The Director will also be responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of EH&S programs for existing and additional US and international offices.  This department enables the labs to run efficiently and the scientists to focus on delivering their respective pipelines. This role will support this department’s transformational journey including centralizing lab operations, standardizing common services, consolidating supplies, implementation of GMP policies and procedures, and contracts and application of lean techniques (e.g., 5S, Kanban, visual management).  A successful candidate is well organized, flexible, creative and enjoys the challenges of managing a diverse and energetic office space. This is a full-time, on-site role that reports to the Senior Director of Facilities.

Note: 24x7 support is required of this role.  

• Develops and implements corporate EH&S programs, policies, procedures, training and reporting. This includes Vaxcyte’s Headquarters (HQ), North and South America, UK, APAC/APJ and EMEA. 
• Champions organizational compliance, evaluating workplace environments, equipment and practices of all safety standards and applicable regulations.
• Guides management of hazards associated with process safety management, ensuring a comprehensive program is maintained to integrate technologies, procedures and management practices.
• Responsible for chemical inventory management and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) documentation at all designated Vaxcyte sites.
• Develops and implements procedures to conduct chemical and SDS risk assessment as well as operations risk assessment to specific controls and other regulatory requirements are applicable.
• Develops and implements environmental strategies in the workplace, auditing and analyzing environmental practices fur sustainability (including workplace pollution control, waste management and recycling).
• Undertakes regular statutory compliance audits, job safety analysis, process safety management of safety programs and systems.
• Directs accident investigation programs, reports or reviews findings, note trends and develop programs (Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)) for improving performance.
• Responsible for providing and communicating employee and lab safety training, Emergency Response (Emergency Action Plan (EAP)), and health and safety plans.
• Responsible for all Environmental, Health and Safety programs including, but not limited to: Emergency Response, Emergency Action Plans (EAP), Respiratory Protection Plan (RPP), Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), Ergonomics, Hearing conservation, Medical Waste, Biological Safety and Exposure Control, Chemical Hygiene and Hazard Communication, etc.
• Sets department environmental and safety priorities and goals consistent with company objectives.
• Specifies EH&S guidelines and directives for internal governance and internal controls, working closely with Vaxcyte’s Director of Compliance.
• Establish cross functional team (safety committee) to coordinate delivery of compliance, safety performance.
• Defines solutions which support EH&S policy integration into office and lab operations.
• Determines improvement which provide reliable, successful EH&S programs.
• Serve as Vaxcyte’s Headquarter, US and Global EH&S program and policy owner.
• Develop waste collection and disposal procedures to meet evolving needs and regulatory requirements.
• Manage contracts with external service providers for chemical and biological waste and all other position related services.
• Coordinate with Radiation Officer to ensure all applicable Radiation Lab requirements and regulations are met and maintained.
• Responsible for ensuring and maintaining accurate waste records as applicable to Vaxcyte sites.
• Generate operational definitions that govern both safety and productivity.
• Partner with Biological Safety Officer to implement a Biological Safety Program.
• Maintains required lab and employee EH&S training records.
• Works with landlord to ensure Vaxcyte EH&S polices, practices and training align with property management requirements.
• Leads the HQ Emergency Response Team (ERT).
• Develops procedures and training for all Vaxcyte global offices.

• Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering related discipline.
• Minimum 12 years of progressive experience in laboratory operations experience managing and scaling lab operations in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical research environment. Ten (10) years with a master’s degree. Other combinations of education and/or experience may be considered.
• Previous experience in managing EH&S programs for both offices, laboratories and GMP sites.
• Global EH&S experience, mainly focused on North and South America, UK and EMEA required. APAC and APJ experience is a plus.
• Customer service oriented and has a track record of anticipating the needs of all customers, including bench scientists and office employees.
• Demonstrated drive, curiosity, scientific rigor, and excellent problem-solving skills across a fast-paced performance driven environment.
• Ability to operate effectively at both an operational and strategic level.
• Ability to constructively challenge, improve and develop lab operations practices and processes.
• Self-motivated with the proven ability to take ownership and deliver results in an environment with ambiguity and change.
• Ability to collaborate cross functionally and align stakeholders to a common problem or solution.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills – Oral, written and formal presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop new safety practices (from a blank sheet of paper) and standard operating procedures (SOP’s).
• Highly effective communication and organization skills.
• Proven collaboration and teamwork skills and experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Creative and proactive problem solver; keen ability to anticipate needs in a lab environment, solving problems with sound judgment.
• Experience managing and prioritizing inputs from diverse stakeholders to deploy a plan that meets the needs of the business.
• Proficiency planning and managing small projects.
• Proficient in GMP, GLP, and GDP process and procedures.
• CSP, CIH, or CHMM professional certification preferred.
• Ability to travel within North America and globally up to 10%.

Reports to: Senior Director, Facilities

Location: San Carlos, CA

Compensation:

The compensation package will be competitive and includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component.

Salary Range: $195,000 – $228,000

Vaxcyte, Inc.

825 Industrial Road, Suite 300

San Carlos, CA 94070

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.