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EHS Manager – Environmental Sustainability & Occupational Health

Takeda Germany Added on Jul 24, 2026
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This role centers on spearheading EHS excellence at a key pharmaceutical production site, where you will manage the intersection of environmental stewardship and workplace safety. You will own the local sustainability strategy, overseeing critical resources like water and energy while ensuring rigorous compliance with international standards such as ISO 14001 and 45001. Beyond daily operations, you will lead remediation projects for legacy sites and drive a proactive safety culture across the facility.

Sustainability in the pharmaceutical sector is high-stakes; here, your work directly translates to reduced carbon emissions and safer environments for thousands of employees. By optimizing waste management and energy usage in a large-scale manufacturing context, you contribute to a global healthcare leader’s decarbonization journey. This is a rare chance to blend high-level strategy with tangible, on-the-ground environmental impact at an award-winning workplace.

This suits someone who possesses a deep technical background in environmental sciences or engineering and thrives in complex industrial environments. You should be comfortable navigating both regulatory frameworks and cultural change-management to ensure safety and sustainability remain top priorities.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

As a site-level leader, you will be responsible for the development and execution of environmental and sustainability strategies focusing on waste, water, energy, and emissions. You will act as the primary guardian of compliance for ISO 14001, EMAS, and ISO 45001 standards, ensuring every operational process aligns with both corporate and legal mandates. Your mandate extends to the technical management of legacy site remediation projects, where you will coordinate with external service providers to mitigate historical environmental impacts. Additionally, you will lead the occupational health agenda by conducting risk assessments, accident investigations, and implementing corrective actions to maintain a zero-harm environment. Strategically, you will report directly to the Director Site EHS, providing the vital monitoring of environmental KPIs and sustainability disclosures. This involves collecting and analyzing complex data sets to drive continuous improvement measures that resonate with both local site goals and global corporate sustainability targets.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This position offers profound exposure to the rigorous compliance landscape of the pharmaceutical industry, providing hands-on experience with high-level reporting frameworks like EMAS and ISO 50001. You will deepen your expertise in managing the environmental footprint of large-scale industrial manufacturing, particularly regarding resource circularity and emission reduction. Furthermore, you will gain experience in large-scale remediation management, a niche and highly valued skill set involving the coordination of technical experts and regulatory bodies. The role also provides a platform to refine your leadership and change management skills as you drive EHS cultural transformation across a diverse workforce.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate holds a degree in environmental sciences, health and safety, or engineering, supported by several years of EHS management experience within the chemical or pharmaceutical sectors. You must possess a comprehensive understanding of German environmental law and international safety standards such as ISO 45001. Technical competence should be matched by strong analytical and communication skills in both German and English. Certifications like 'Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit' (SiFa) or NEBOSH are highly preferred, as they demonstrate the requisite technical authority to lead safety audits and training sessions effectively.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, emphasize your track record in industrial decarbonization or waste reduction projects. Takeda values innovation; providing specific examples where you implemented a sustainable solution that improved efficiency while maintaining safety standards will be highly persuasive. Given the site's 'Great Place to Work' status, demonstrate your alignment with Takeda's values of patient-centricity and societal responsibility. Prepare to discuss how you balance the high pressure of pharmaceutical production with an unwavering commitment to environmental and employee well-being.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role focuses heavily on operational environmental impact, specifically the reduction of CO2 emissions and the optimization of energy and water consumption at the Oranienburg facility. You will be at the forefront of the site's transition toward more sustainable manufacturing practices. Another critical focus is circular economy principles, particularly waste management and the legal handling of hazardous materials. Your efforts will ensure that the production of life-saving medicines occurs within a framework that minimizes the ecological footprint and prioritizes local biodiversity through remediation efforts.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

A primary challenge will be balancing production demands with strict sustainability and safety protocols in a 24/7 manufacturing setting. Integrating new EHS initiatives without disrupting supply chains requires exceptional stakeholder management and negotiation skills. Additionally, keeping pace with rapidly evolving environmental regulations in Germany and the EU can be taxing. You will need to remain agile and proactive to ensure the site stays ahead of compliance requirements rather than simply reacting to new mandates.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a site walk-through or safety audit to observe real-time operations and engage with floor staff regarding EHS protocols. You might then transition into a project meeting for an ongoing remediation case or a strategy session regarding energy reduction KPIs. Your afternoon could involve analyzing environmental data for a stakeholder report or designing a training module for new equipment. Interaction with the EHS Director and department heads is frequent, ensuring that safety and sustainability data are integrated into the plant's broader operational decision-making.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Within Takeda's global network, this role serves as a stepping stone to regional or global EHS leadership positions. The visibility of managing EHS at the Oranienburg site, Takeda’s largest German production facility, provides significant internal recognition. You may also move into specialized sustainability strategy roles or operational excellence tracks, leveraging your experience in continuous improvement and ISO system management to lead broader corporate transformation projects.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with production and plant managers to ensure safety and sustainability are embedded in manufacturing. You will also report directly to the Director Site EHS, providing critical data for site-level strategic planning. External stakeholders include regulatory authorities and environmental auditors, as well as specialized contractors performing remediation or waste disposal. Internally, you will also collaborate with HR on health initiatives and with global sustainability teams to align local actions with group-wide ESG targets.

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