Safety Engineer

Avantor is seeking a dynamic and experienced EHS Engineer to collaboratively support Environment, Health, Safety, Security, and Sustainability (EHS&S) programs within our chemical manufacturing site in Paris, KY!

This is a full-time, onsite role based in Paris, KY. Open to candidates who are willing to commute or relocate to Paris or the surrounding areas.

What we are looking for

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s Degree is required; Related technical discipline is highly preferred (e.g., Environmental Science, Safety Engineering, Industrial Hygiene)
• Experience:
  • 3–5+ years of progressive EHS experience within chemical manufacturing, broader manufacturing environments, or other high-risk industries
• Core Skills & Competencies
  • Demonstrates solid decision-making skills to evaluate EHS risks and recommend practical solutions
  • Ability to identify hazards, perform risk assessments, and support corrective actions
  • Must have a strong working knowledge of operational and technical issues, including applicable regulatory standards.
  • Knowledge of OSHA and environmental regulations with the ability to interpret and implement requirements
  • Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly and influence, both verbally and in writing.
  • Well-developed organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects, coordinate tasks, and consistently meet deadlines.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • 24-hour or 40-hour HAZWOPER
  • First Aid/CPR/AED Certification
  • Process Safety Management (PSM) experience
  • Associate Safety Professional (ASP) or Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) certification

Key Responsibilities:

• Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
  • Ensure full compliance with local, state, and federal EHS regulations (OSHA, EPA, etc.)
  • Lead comprehensive risk assessments with a focus on identifying and mitigating process hazards and repetitive risks.
  • Assist with development of site risk register and drive corrective actions through root cause analysis and prioritization
  • Conduct regular audits, inspections, and incident investigations with a focus on systemic risk reduction
  • Demonstrate initiative and accountability in managing assigned EHS programs or tasks
• Training & Culture Building
  • Design and deliver targeted training programs on risk awareness, PSM, and JHA best practices
  • Partner to lead site-wide safety campaigns and employee engagement efforts to foster a proactive safety culture
  • Serve as a technical resource for hazard identification, PPE assessments, and safe work procedures
  • Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to recommend and implement process improvements
• Environmental Stewardship
  • Support environmental compliance activities for air, wastewater, waste management, groundwater, and stormwater programs, SPCC, CERCLA, and community right-to-know requirements.
  • Assist with maintaining environmental permits and help prepare and submit required regulatory reports in a timely manner.
• Emergency Preparedness
  • Coordinate emergency response planning and support alignment with internal teams and external agencies to ensure effective preparedness and response capabilities
  • Maintain HAZWOPER certification and actively participate in emergency response efforts, ensuring readiness for chemical spill or exposure incidents.
  • Perform post-incident analysis to identify root causes and drive continuous improvement efforts
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, HR, and Quality departments to integrate EHS into daily operations and capital projects.
  • Support contractor safety programs and ensure alignment with site protocols

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT (Under Typical Positions)

Office environment: Constant sitting while using the computer. Constant use of sight abilities while reviewing documents. Constant use of speech/hearing abilities for communication. Must be able to function well under peak activity periods. Occasional lifting up to 20-50 lbs.

Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.

The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.

We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!

EEO Statement:

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at recruiting@avantorsciences.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.

Privacy Policy:

We will use the personal information that you have submitted to us in order to consider your application for the relevant role.

Your privacy is important to us. Please click here for our Privacy Policy which explains the purposes for which we will use your personal information and the ways in which we will handle and retain your information. It also explains the rights you have in relation to your information, and how to contact us with any queries or requests.

3rd Party Non-Solicitation Policy:

By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation.