Manager, Global Security & Emergency Preparedness

The Opportunity:

At Avantor, people are the most important part of our success because they drive our global performance. That’s why our Operations, Lab Services, Sales, and many other Avantor teams rely on our talent acquisition initiatives to attract, engage and hire the right talent. Avantor’s EHSS&S vertical is a crucial part of this mix, enabling all our internal teams worldwide to grow beyond their limits.

The Global Manager, Security & Emergency Preparedness is responsible for the strategic development, implementation, governance, and continuous improvement of enterprise-wide security and emergency preparedness programs. This role ensures the protection of employees, contractors, visitors, facilities, assets, information, and business operations across global locations through proactive risk management, emergency planning, incident preparedness, and resilience strategies.

As a key member of the Global EHS&S organization, the position partners closely with Operations, Facilities, Human Resources, Supply Chain, Regional EHS&S teams, Legal, Business Continuity, and executive leadership to identify, assess, and mitigate security threats and operational vulnerabilities. The role drives a risk-based, prevention-focused approach that strengthens organizational resilience, enhances emergency readiness, and supports business continuity objectives across all regions.

The incumbent serves as the enterprise subject matter expert for physical security, emergency preparedness, workplace violence prevention, crisis response, and security risk management, ensuring programs align with regulatory expectations, industry best practices, and organizational objectives.

What we’re looking for:

- Education: Bachelor's degree in Security Management, Emergency Management, Criminal Justice, Occupational Safety, Risk Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Military Science, or a related field. One or more of the following certifications: Certified Protection Professional (CPP)
- Physical Security Professional (PSP)
- Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)
- Associate Emergency Manager (AEM)
- Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP)
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
- Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) training

- Experience: 8-12 years of progressive experience in physical security, emergency management, risk management, law enforcement, military operations, industrial safety, or related fields. Minimum 5 years of leadership experience supporting multi-site, regional, or global operations.
- Experience developing and managing enterprise security and/or emergency preparedness programs.
- Experience conducting security risk assessments, vulnerability analyses, and mitigation planning.
- Experience leading emergency response exercises, drills, and preparedness initiatives.
- Experience influencing and collaborating with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Experience supporting manufacturing, laboratory, distribution, logistics, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or industrial operations.

Preferred

- Experience supporting global operations across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
- Experience integrating security, crisis management, business continuity, and emergency preparedness programs.
- Experience managing security service providers and contracted security personnel.
- Experience utilizing security technology platforms, analytics tools, and incident management systems.

Who are you:

Knowledge

- Physical security systems and program management.
- Security risk assessment methodologies and threat analysis.
- Emergency preparedness, emergency response, and crisis management principles.
- Incident Command System (ICS) and emergency management frameworks.
- Workplace violence prevention and threat assessment practices.
- Business continuity and organizational resilience concepts.
- Regulatory requirements and industry standards related to security and emergency preparedness.
- Manufacturing, laboratory, warehouse, logistics, and industrial operating environments.

Skills

- Strategic planning and program development.
- Risk identification, analysis, and mitigation planning.
- Crisis leadership and emergency decision-making.
- Project management and execution.
- Data analysis and performance measurement.
- Budget management and resource allocation.
- Change management and organizational influence.
- Training facilitation and presentation delivery.
- Vendor and contractor management.

Abilities

- Translate complex risks into practical business solutions.
- Build strong partnerships across all levels of the organization.
- Influence without direct authority across global and cross-functional teams.
- Maintain composure and effectiveness during emergencies and high-pressure situations.
- Prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
- Analyze incidents and identify root causes and corrective actions.
- Communicate effectively with employees, leadership teams, regulators, and external agencies.
- Drive continuous improvement and long-term program sustainability.

How you will create an impact and thrive:

Enterprise Security Strategy and Governance

- Develop, implement, and continuously improve the global security strategy, standards, policies, and governance framework.
- Establish enterprise-wide security objectives, key performance indicators, and reporting mechanisms.
- Define security requirements and minimum standards for all global facilities and operations.
- Present significant security risks, trends, and mitigation recommendations to senior leadership.
- Ensure consistency and compliance of security programs across all regions.

Security Risk Assessment and Mitigation

- Lead enterprise-wide physical security risk assessments, threat analyses, and vulnerability reviews.
- Develop risk prioritization methodologies and mitigation strategies based on business impact and likelihood.
- Partner with site and regional leaders to implement corrective actions and risk reduction initiatives.
- Evaluate emerging security threats and recommend proactive measures to prevent business disruption.
- Establish processes for regular reassessment of security risks and controls.

Emergency Preparedness and Response Program Management

- Develop and maintain global emergency preparedness standards, procedures, and response protocols.
- Establish governance and oversight of site emergency response plans for all facilities.
- Ensure emergency plans address natural disasters, severe weather, workplace violence, civil unrest, supply disruptions, hazardous material incidents, and other operational emergencies.
- Coordinate review and validation of emergency response plans to ensure effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
- Promote alignment between emergency preparedness, business continuity, and crisis management programs.

Crisis Management and Incident Response

- Provide leadership and guidance during significant security incidents, emergencies, and business disruptions.
- Participate in crisis management teams and support enterprise response activities.
- Coordinate post-incident reviews, root cause analyses, corrective actions, and lessons learned processes.
- Develop escalation protocols and communication processes for significant security or emergency events.
- Support investigations related to security breaches, workplace violence incidents, theft, vandalism, and other significant events.

Workplace Violence Prevention and Security Awareness

- Develop and manage workplace violence prevention programs, policies, and response protocols.
- Support threat assessment processes and multidisciplinary response teams.
- Lead security awareness campaigns and training programs to improve employee preparedness and risk awareness.
- Foster a culture of security vigilance, preparedness, and accountability throughout the organization.

Emergency Exercises, Drills, and Training

- Design, coordinate, and evaluate emergency response drills, tabletop exercises, and crisis simulations.
- Assess organizational readiness and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Develop training materials, guidance documents, and preparedness resources for employees and leaders.
- Ensure sites maintain appropriate emergency response capabilities and competencies.

Security Technology and Program Administration

- Evaluate and recommend physical security systems and technologies including access control, visitor management, surveillance, alarm monitoring, and threat detection solutions.
- Monitor program performance through metrics, audits, dashboards, and benchmarking activities.
- Oversee relationships with third-party security providers, consultants, and service partners.
- Support budgeting, resource planning, and strategic investments in security and preparedness programs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

- Partner with Operations, Facilities, Human Resources, IT, Supply Chain, and EHS&S leaders to integrate security and preparedness into business operations.
- Conduct program audits, assessments, and management reviews.
- Identify industry best practices and emerging trends to strengthen security and emergency preparedness capabilities.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance organizational resilience and operational reliability.

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!

Pay Transparency:

The expected pre-tax pay for this position is

$97,500.00 - $156,975.00

Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

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 [email protected]  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 .

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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.

Avantor offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellness programs, health savings and flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with company match, and an employee stock purchase program. Employees also receive 11 paid holidays, accrue 18 PTO days annually, are eligible for volunteer time off and 6 weeks of 100% paid parental leave (except in states that offer paid family leave). These benefits may not apply to employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement or those subject to other eligibility rules.