Senior Director, Process Safety

The Opportunity:

Avantor is seeking a visionary and technically exceptional Senior Director of Process Safety to lead and continuously enhance our global Process Safety Management (PSM) and Major Hazard Risk programs. This role is instrumental in ensuring the safe manufacture, handling, storage, and distribution of hazardous materials that support critical industries such as biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, semiconductors, advanced materials, and healthcare.

As a senior leader, you will shape enterprise-wide process safety strategy while embedding a proactive, prevention-focused culture across Avantor’s manufacturing, laboratory, and distribution operations. You will partner closely with Executive Leadership, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, and EHS to protect our people, customers, communities, and brand—while enabling compliant growth and operational excellence.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

A seasoned process safety leader who combines deep technical expertise with enterprise leadership capability, thrives in highly regulated environments, and is capable of influencing decision-making at the highest levels of the organization. This position will be responsible for 1.) enterprise process safety policies, standards and performance targets 2.) risk management frameworks and risk acceptance criteria 3.) prioritization of risk mitigation investments and capital safety improvements 4.) regulatory compliance strategy, enforcement response and audit readiness and 5.) escalation of critical process safety risks to executive leadership.

EXPERIENCE:

• 12–15+ years of progressive experience in process safety, chemical engineering, or hazardous operations management

• 7+ years in senior leadership roles within life sciences, specialty chemicals, advanced materials, pharmaceutical, or industrial manufacturing

• Proven leadership of enterprise or multi-site PSM programs aligned with OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, CCPS, and international equivalents

• Hands-on experience supporting capital projects, new process introduction, and site expansions

• Direct experience leading high-consequence incident investigations and regulatory inspections

• Expert knowledge of PSM frameworks and standards, including OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, CCPS RBPS, and EU SEVESO (preferred)

• Advanced expertise in hazard identification and risk analysis techniques (HAZOP, LOPA, What-If, Bowtie, SIL)

• Strong understanding of chemical processing, batch operations, formulation, scale-up, and material handling risks

• Ability to translate complex technical and regulatory requirements into practical, business-aligned solutions

• Exceptional executive communication, influence, and change leadership skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Global experience supporting sites across North America, Europe, and Asia

• Background in pharmaceutical, biopharma, diagnostics, or semiconductor materials manufacturing

• Experience integrating process safety into ESG, sustainability, and corporate risk frameworks

• Familiarity with digital PSM tools, process safety KPIs, and leading/lagging indicators

• Demonstrated success building and mentoring high-performing technical teams

• Certified Process Safety Professional (CCPSC) strongly preferred

• Professional Engineer (PE) preferred

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or equivalent desirable

• Lean, Six Sigma, or Operational Excellence certification a plus

HOW YOU WILL THRIVE AND CREATE AN IMPACT:

• Establish and execute Avantor’s global process safety vision, strategy, and governance model

• Drive consistent implementation of PSM standards across manufacturing, laboratory, and distribution environments

• Proactively identify and mitigate high-consequence risks to people, products, and the environment

• Strengthen process safety culture through leadership engagement, training, and accountability

• Partner with Engineering and Operations to embed safety into design, projects, and operational excellence initiatives

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on risk tolerance, compliance posture, and investment decisions

• Lead organizational learning through rigorous incident investigation and knowledge sharing

   ENVIRONMENT

• Global travel required to support strategic initiatives

• Work in and around hazardous chemicals, high-energy processes, and controlled environments

• High-visibility, high-accountability role with material impact on safety, compliance, and business cont