Overview

Work at ROCKET PHARMA and help cure rare diseases!

Rocket Pharma is a fully integrated, clinical-stage company advancing gene therapies with curative potential for multiple rare childhood diseases. Rocket places enormous value on people and considers team member progress and well-being to be as important as the progress of its pipeline. We are looking for hands-on team players who enjoy collaborating with colleagues. We share a passion for seeking gene therapy cures for devastating diseases and making a difference for patients. This is an opportunity to become an integral part of a small, highly productive team and to help grow an entrepreneurial, scientifically driven organization that is increasingly recognized as a leading biotechnology innovator. In addition to a competitive compensation package featuring a generous 401K match and stock options, the position includes excellent health benefits.

Position Summary

Rocket Pharma is seeking a high-energy, self-motivated candidate for Manager, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) to take over an established EHS program. They will be responsible for scaling the EHS function to meet the organization’s global EHS compliance obligations, as well as executing all EHS operational needs for the Cranbury, NJ facility. Position has emphasis on biosafety and physical areas include offices, wet laboratories, and manufacturing cleanrooms, including but not limited to production, maintenance, warehousing, engineering, and testing. All work must be within the bounds of quality and regulatory requirements suitable for cGMP manufacturing of clinical- and commercial-grade drug product.

The ideal candidate will have a strong passion and curiosity for science and gene therapy, and a demonstrated, genuine interest and curiosity in biological research and science is highly valued. They will possess strong leadership skills, a strong understanding of EHS and biosafety principles, a proven track record in growing programs and processes, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally and to influence management.

Responsibilities

Managing the EHS function and providing oversight to the team responsible for all EHS and biological safety practices; providing daily on-site direction of EHS programs and projects
Maintain and continually improve an established program where employees are encouraged, empowered, and enabled to communicate EHS-related questions and concerns
Technology:
- Manage the Learning Management System (LMS): maintain global EHS training compliance; provide ad hoc training sessions; and author, design, develop, implement, and evaluate all EHS training
- Implement the new EHS management system, specifically for chemical inventory management and eventually for other EHS concerns
- Manage the EHS SharePoint site as internal interface with customers: incident reporting, chemical waste pickups, safety blog for relevant topics of interest, SDS library, and more as needed
- Manage all digital and physical paperwork and records across various websites for all EHS functions such as waste manifests, permits and renewals, and EHS training
- Navigate the Quality Management System and manage all EHS-related GMP SOPs
EHS vendors and EHS contractors management:
- Manage and coordinate contractors for hazardous waste management program, LMS and training development contractors, biosafety risk assessment contractors, and training contractors as needed
- Manage vendors for first aid kit restocks and AEDs checks, prescription safety glasses, safety shoes, emergency alert systems, occupational health providers, etc.
- Manage EHS budget and track costs for all of the above
Manage all environmental and biological permitting, maintaining timely compliance with NJDEP, MCUA, Township, and other regulatory environmental permitting and licensure requirements, as well as USDA import/export permits and CDC permits
Manage and grow the Occupational Health program: HBV vaccinations and PEP
Managing global incident and near-miss/good-catch investigation and management processes, including OSHA 300 log (TRCR and DART), RCAs, Safety CAPAs, and trending and metrics thereof; routinely communicate trends, metrics, KPIs, and interpretations to leadership and other key stakeholders
Facilitating and providing support for the Rocket Safety Committee and subcommittees:
- Safety Walkthroughs: work with committee and chairperson to implement safety audits, inspection results, and statistics
- Fire Safety Team: work with committee and chairperson to effect fire drills and foster fire safety training and educational initiatives
- Safety and Wellness Week: work with committee and chairperson to foster Rocket awareness of and engagement with EHS by offering creative safety and wellness opportunities, including annual Flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics
- Opportunity to implement Rocket’s official Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) to support our pipeline and ongoing projects with appropriate risk assessment and approval processes
- Opportunity to implement Rocket’s first official Ergonomics initiatives
Taking ownership of engagement initiatives: work cross-functionally to maintain high visibility and accessibility for the EHS program
Continuing to document, align on/get buy-in for, issue, execute, and train staff upon all EHS plans, policies, and guidelines
Serving as point person and liaison for all EHS-related regulatory audits and audit follow-up activities
Providing EHS input on relevant new projects and modification programs
Providing support for ongoing construction projects, including updated and circulating the HASP and contractor safety training
Building on and implementing industrial hygiene strategy and processes
Ensure policies and procedures are in place to manage emergencies and ensure business continuity

Qualifications

Master’s degree in science/engineering, Industrial Hygiene, or equivalent
10+ years of experience implementing biosafety and EHS programs: biosafety, biologics manufacturing, hazardous waste determination and management, occupational health, IH, environmental permitting, DEP, DOT, and OSHA
Additional professional EHS credentials: CSP and/or CIH highly preferred
Proven track record in, and strong understanding and working knowledge of, biosafety, biologics manufacturing, EHS management systems, incident command system, business continuity, incident investigation, EHS auditing techniques
Familiarity with federal, state, and local biosafety and EHS requirements
Familiarity with Learning Management Systems and training deployment logic preferred
Outstanding interpersonal skills with ability to work independently as well as part of a team
Willingness to work hard, pivot quickly, execute on multiple deliverables, and persevere, all with a customer-service mindset
Outstanding MS Office and writing skills; the ability to present to leadership with poise, to communicate complex information succinctly and comprehendibly, to engage positively, and to communicate kindly
Ability to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraints

Physical requirements: must be able to:

Work in laboratory and CGT manufacturing cleanroom setting with biological hazards and various chemicals
Wear appropriate PPE, e.g., safety-toe shoes, clean-room gowning/no cosmetics, face masks, etc.
Work in environment with variable noise levels
Stand, sit, walk for prolonged periods of time
Lift, push, and/or pull 50lbs occasionally
Crouch, bend, twist, and reach
Have clear vision and ability to identify and distinguish colors
Perform activities with repetitive motions
Climb ladders and/or stairs
Work in variable temperatures and in inside/outside working conditions

EEO Statement

A diverse workforce fosters innovation and strengthens Rocket’s business. We ensure equal opportunity without discrimination or harassment in the workplace on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, citizenship, status as a protected veteran, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Rocket Pharmaceuticals

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Manager, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S)