Senior Director, EHSS & Global Quality

Company: Sumitomo Chemical Group Companies Of America
Location: Libertyville
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

About Us: Valent North America LLC is the shared services organization of Valent U.S.A. LLC and Valent BioSciences LLC, which are part of the Valent group of companies. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Valent North America unites the corporate Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal, and Environmental Health & Safety functions to maximize service delivery practices across the Valent group of companies. Valent U.S.A. engages in the development, registration, sales, and marketing of integrated technological solutions for crop production and pest management that deliver value for customers and stakeholders. Valent BioSciences is a worldwide leader in the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of biorational products for the agriculture, public health, and forest health markets. Sumitomo Chemical is one of Japan’s leading chemical companies, offering a diverse range of products globally that support a wide variety of industries and help enhance peoples’ daily lives. Position Summary The Senior Director of Environmental, Health, Safety, Security, and Global Quality (EHSSQ) for Sumitomo Biorational Company LLC, provides strategic leadership and oversight for all programs under the intent of Responsible Care thus related to environmental stewardship, employee health and safety, regulatory compliance, and product quality across the company’s biological and chemical research, development, and manufacturing operations. This executive will establish and drive the company’s EHSSQ vision to ensure compliance with global regulatory standards supporting the Sumitomo Responsible Care management system while promoting a culture of safety, quality, compliance, and continuous improvement. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Develop and execute the company’s EHSSQ strategy aligned with corporate objectives and growth plans. Serve as a trusted advisor and leader for reporting to executive leadership on EHSSQ risks, opportunities, and regulatory trends within the biorational group. Accountable and responsible for the company to be in full alignment with Sumitomo Chemical Company’s (parent company) responsible care strategy, including the parent company's responsible care audit program. Integrate EHSSQ principles into all stages of product lifecycle, from R&D through manufacturing and commercialization. Environmental, Health, Safety, and Security (EHSS) Management Champion the implementation of environmental and occupational health programs that comply with federal, state, and international regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA, CDC, NIH, and local biosafety guidelines). Ensure robust biosafety and biosecurity programs for all laboratory and manufacturing operations, including compliance with BSL-1 to BSL-2 containment requirements as applicable. Champion initiatives to reduce environmental impact, including waste minimization, water conservation, and sustainable energy use. Promote a proactive safety culture through leadership visibility, employee engagement, and targeted training programs. Ensure the adequacy of programs related to risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective action implementation. Quality Management Provide strategic oversight of Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) programs to ensure compliance with GMP, GLP, GCP, and ISO standards. Champion continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product consistency, reliability, and regulatory compliance. Ensure the adequacy of programs related to internal and external audits, including those by the FDA, EMA, ISO registrars, and other regulatory bodies . Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to ensure quality integration across all business processes. Maintain oversight of supplier quality and qualification programs to ensure integrity of raw materials and components. Compliance and Risk Management Ensure company-wide compliance with applicable EHSSQ laws, regulations, and industry standards. Ensure the preparation and submission of all required environmental and regulatory reports. Champion emergency preparedness, business continuity, and crisis management programs. Accountable for data collection, reporting, and performance metrics to monitor EHSSQ effectiveness and continuous improvement. People and Culture Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary EHSSQ team across multiple research and production sites. Build an organization-wide culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous learning. Foster collaboration between quality, operations, supply chain, research, regulatory affairs, and commercial teams. Qualifications Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline (Master’s or Ph.D. preferred). Minimum 20 years of progressive experience in EHSS and Quality roles within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or life sciences industries. At least 5 years of executive or senior leadership experience managing multi-site EHSSQ functions. Demonstrated success managing GMP-compliant manufacturing and biosafety programs. Skills and Competencies Deep understanding of FDA, EMA, ISO 9001/14001/45001 , and other global regulatory frameworks. Strong knowledge of biological and chemical hazard management , biosafety levels, and containment controls. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence at all organizational levels. Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Experience with digital EHSSQ management systems and data analytics preferred. Performance Metrics Full adherence to Sumitomo Chemical Company RC standards. Reduction in safety incidents, environmental non-compliances, and audit observations. Maintenance of chemical industry compliance as well as GMP/biosafety compliance across all facilities. Continuous improvement in product quality metrics and right-first-time performance. Positive trends in safety culture and employee engagement. Successful execution of sustainability and operational excellence initiatives. What We Offer We recognize that compensation and benefits play a crucial role in your career decisions. That’s why we’re dedicated to equitable pay practices and transparency in how we reward our employees. Base Salary: The estimated annual base salary for this position ranges from: $210,000 to $260,000. Individual pay is based upon location, skills, experience, and other relevant factors. Incentives: All full-time employees are eligible for an incentive program or profit-sharing program in addition to their base salary. Benefits: High-quality healthcare coverage starting on day one, with options for medical (HSA/HRA), vision, and dental plans 5% company contribution to your 401(k), plus a quarterly discretionary bonus Immediate 100% vesting of all retirement contributions Financial assistance programs to support your goals Life and disability insurance for added security Generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and volunteer days Flexible work arrangements available Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future At Valent Group of Companies, we’re proud to power a sustainable future through our work. Sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) have been at the core of our culture since the beginning. Today, they continue to drive everything we do. Join us in making a meaningful impact and contributing to a better world. Valent U.S.A., Valent North America LLC, Valent BioSciences LLC and Mycorrhizal Applications LLC are an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and/or identity, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, disabilities, or protected veteran status. LI-HYBRID

Keywords: Sumitomo Chemical Group Companies Of America, Schaumburg , Senior Director, EHSS & Global Quality, Science, Research & Development , Libertyville, Illinois