Construction Safety Manager (Biotech Facility)

Construction Safety Manager

MMR Consulting is an engineering and consulting firm specializing in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology and highly regulated industries. Its services include Engineering, Project Management, and Validation.

MMR Consulting has offices across North America and Asia.

The Construction Safety Manager is responsible for ensuring that all construction activities within a major biopharmaceutical facility capital project are executed in compliance with Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) regulations, industry best practices, and company policies. This role plays a critical part in protecting workers, contractors, and the surrounding environment by enforcing safety protocols, mitigating risks, and fostering a strong safety culture throughout the construction phase.

The work will require working out of the client's facilities in Kankakee, Chicago Area, IL

Responsibilities

Safety Strategy & Compliance Oversight

• Develop and implement the construction safety plan, ensuring alignment with local, national, and international safety regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA, ISO 45001, and corporate EHS policies).
• Ensure that all construction activities comply with Good Construction Practices (GCP), permit-to-work systems, and site-specific safety standards.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies, auditors, and safety inspectors.

Risk Assessment & Hazard Management

• Conduct safety risk assessments (e.g., Job Hazard Analysis, Hazard and Operability Studies - HAZOP, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis - FMEA) for all construction activities.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate potential safety hazards, such as working at heights, confined spaces, hazardous materials, and heavy equipment operations.
• Establish and enforce Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and Energy Isolation procedures to prevent accidents during construction.

Contractor Safety Management

• Review and approve contractor EHS plans, training programs, and risk mitigation strategies before site mobilization.
• Conduct contractor safety orientations to ensure all workers understand site-specific safety protocols.
• Monitor contractor compliance through regular inspections, audits, and safety performance tracking.
• Enforce penalties or stop-work orders for non-compliance with safety policies.

Site Safety Inspections & Audits

• Conduct daily, weekly, and random safety inspections of the construction site to identify and correct unsafe conditions.
• Lead safety audits and work closely with project leadership to implement corrective actions.
• Ensure that all safety incidents, near misses, and violations are reported, investigated, and addressed through root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).

Emergency Preparedness & Incident Response

• Develop and implement emergency response plans for fire, chemical spills, structural failures, and medical emergencies.
• Conduct emergency drills and coordinate with site security, medical teams, and local emergency responders.
• Ensure proper documentation and reporting of all incidents, including OSHA recordkeeping and company-specific reporting requirements.

Safety Training & Culture Development

• Develop and deliver safety training programs for construction workers, supervisors, and project managers.
• Promote a zero-incident safety culture by leading toolbox talks, safety stand-downs, and awareness campaigns.
• Encourage proactive reporting of hazards and implement worker feedback mechanisms to improve site safety.

Environmental & Occupational Health Oversight

• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations, including waste disposal, air quality, water management, and hazardous material handling.
• Implement industrial hygiene programs to monitor noise, air quality, and exposure to hazardous substances.
• Work with the broader EHS team to integrate construction safety with overall site environmental and health policies.

Project Handover & Safety Lessons Learned

• Ensure that as-built safety documentation, risk assessments, and incident reports are compiled for project closeout.
• Conduct post-construction safety reviews to evaluate lessons learned and apply improvements for future projects.
• Support the transition from construction safety protocols to operational safety procedures as the facility moves into commissioning and startup phases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field
• 8–15+ years with experience on large construction project contracts (over $100M, preferably over $1BN); 5+ years focused on Environmental, Health and Safety
• Technical skills and knowledge of existing EHS standards and methodologies commensurate with assignments and current regulations.
• Intermediate computer skills in order to be proficient in the use of standard office software and EHS specific computer management systems.
• Communications skills must include the ability to provide timely and effective feedback to senior EHS staff and the ability to both receive and provide direction to help design and execute EHS risk assessments and measurement activities.
• Demonstrated ability to help identify and design various EHS risk assessment activities and associated follow-up communications with both EHS senior staff and customers in a timely and effective manner.
• Strong, detail oriented, along with a focus on customer service, continuous improvement, tact and diplomacy.
• Must have a demonstrated awareness and understanding of site and corporate EHS policies and management systems, including remaining current in EHS management system trends and methodologies.
• Effective organization and planning skills with the ability to multitask and maintain complex work schedules.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and work effectively as part of team.
• Experience in biotech/pharma or regulated industries preferred but not required.
• Experience managing the safety aspects for large construction sites
• On-site presence essential

Compensation: 100,000$-150,000$ per year based on industry experience

Equal Employment Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodations

MMR Consulting is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Our hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities globally. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please let us know the nature of your request.