Principal Technical Consultant, Safety

Lead Safe Startups. Build Operational Excellence. Shape the Future of Manufacturing.

If you are an experienced EHS leader who thrives in complex startup environments and enjoys influencing large-scale manufacturing projects from the ground up, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact. ERM is seeking a Principal Technical Consultant, Safety (Program Lead) to provide strategic leadership for health, safety, and environmental performance during the commissioning, qualification, startup, and operational readiness phases of a major manufacturing operation in Lebanon, Indiana. In this highly visible role, you will partner with client leadership, engineering teams, startup groups, and operations personnel to drive safe startup execution, strengthen risk management programs, and establish a culture of safety excellence across multiple facility areas.

Why This Role Matters?

Launching a new manufacturing operation safely and successfully requires more than compliance. It demands strong leadership, operational expertise, and the ability to bring teams together around a shared commitment to safety.

As the Startup EHS Lead, you will serve as the primary HSE leader for startup activities, overseeing a team of HSE professionals while guiding critical commissioning and operational readiness efforts. Your leadership will directly influence startup success, workforce safety, environmental performance, and long-term operational sustainability. This is an opportunity to shape programs, mentor professionals, and help bring a major manufacturing facility online safely and efficiently.

What Your Impact Is:

• Lead health, safety, and environmental activities supporting commissioning, qualification, startup, and operational readiness.
• Serve as the primary HSE leader for startup execution across multiple facility areas.
• Build strong partnerships with client leadership, startup teams, engineering organizations, and operations personnel.
• Drive safe startup practices through effective Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) programs, Safe Work Permit (SWP) programs, startup readiness reviews, and risk management processes.
• Oversee and develop a team of HSE professionals supporting complex startup operations.
• Establish consistent HSE expectations, processes, and field practices that support long-term operational success.
• Promote continuous improvement through auditing, performance measurement, incident prevention, and lessons learned programs.

What You'll Bring

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Safety, Engineering, Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Health, or related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 6-8 years (10-15 years preferred) of EHS experience.
• Minimum 5 years supporting one or more of the following:
  • Commissioning
  • Qualification
  • Startup
  • Operational readiness
  • Manufacturing operations
  • Capital projects
• OSHA 30-Hour certification.
• Experience leading or mentoring EHS professionals, contractors, or project teams.
• Experience with:
  • Lockout/Tagout programs
  • Incident investigations
  • Permit-to-work systems
  • Risk assessments
  • Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs/JSAs)
• Ability to work full-time onsite in Lebanon, Indiana.
• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.

Preferred

• Pharmaceutical, biotech, chemical, or other manufacturing experience.
• Startup or commissioning experience in regulated manufacturing environments.
• CSP, PE, CHMM, CIH, or equivalent certification.
• Experience with:
  • Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR)
  • Management of Change (MOC)
  • Process Safety Management (PSM)
  • Process Hazard Analysis (e.g., HAZOP) participation
  • Contractor safety programs
• Previous owner-side, embedded advisor, or secondment experience.
• Experience supporting greenfield manufacturing projects.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Program Oversight

• Provide day-to-day leadership for the onsite C&Q HSE team, comprised of 6-8 project leads and specialists.
• Establish consistent HSE expectations, processes, and field practices across all startup areas.
• Mentor and support Node Leads and HSE professionals.
• Interface directly with client startup leadership and project stakeholders.
• Lead coordination meetings and drive accountability for HSE deliverables.

Startup Safety & Operational Readiness

• Support safe commissioning, qualification, and startup of manufacturing systems.
• Participate in startup planning, readiness reviews, and operational transition activities.
• Support execution of pre-startup reviews for safety and environmental considerations.
• Identify startup risks and develop practical mitigation strategies.
• Provide field presence during critical startup evolutions.

LOTO & High-Risk Work Management

• Maintain and continuously improve LOTO and SWP strategies, standards, and guidance.
• Support development and review of complex isolation plans.
• Audit LOTO and SWP implementation and compliance.
• Provide oversight of high-risk work activities conducted during startup and commissioning.

Metrics, Auditing & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and report startup safety performance metrics.
• Conduct program audits and field assessments.
• Identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Drive closure of corrective actions and develop lessons learned.

Incident Investigation

• Lead investigations of incidents, near misses, and significant safety observations.
• Facilitate root cause analysis efforts.
• Develop corrective and preventive actions.
• Communicate lessons learned across project teams.

Environmental Support

• Coordinate with commissioning and qualification personnel, environmental specialists, and site personnel regarding startup-related environmental requirements.