EHS Specialist / EHS Specialist

Location

Zurich, Switzerland | Thoratec Switzerland GmbH (Abbott)

About Us

At Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, part of Abbott’s medical device division, we design and manufacture life-saving heart pump systems used by patients with advanced heart failure around the world. Our products — including CentriMag and HeartMate 3 — are developed and produced at our Zurich site and support patients every day in critical care settings.

With around 140 colleagues across Development, Quality, and Production, our Zurich site combines deep technical expertise with a strong sense of purpose and teamwork. As we continue to grow, we are looking for an EHS Specialist who enjoys collaboration, learning, and leading with care, while contributing to work that truly makes a difference.

About The Role

The EHS Specialist will be responsible for implementing internal and external standards regarding environment, health and safety as well as physical security. The successful candidate will continuously monitor, report, sustain, update and implement new requirements and represent the site’s program to auditors and government officials. In this cross-functional role, you’ll report to the plant's head of operations and collaborate with a global EHS team.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of site EHS metrics.
• Develop and lead onsite Emergency Response programs.
• Adapt and rollout global EHS training programs.
• Ensure EHS documentation is accurate and compliant with internal standards and Swiss laws and regulations.
• Act as the point of contact for EHS matters at Abbott Heart Failure’s Zurich site.
• Support Company initiatives as identified by management in support of Safety Management Systems, Environmental Management Systems (EMS), and other regulatory requirements.
• Promote work safety on site and act as Spezialisten der Arbeitssicherheit (ASA) and facilitate periodic safety audits.
• Organize and manage compliance with Abbott EHS standards via assessment of site programs and documents.
• Incorporate duties of a Swiss SiBe (Sicherheitsbeauftragter).

Required Qualifications/Technical Skills

• Bachelor/Master’s degree in a Science or Engineering discipline.
• Professional certification preferred, including Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), ISO14001 Lead Auditor.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in EHS Management, ideally in a global, American corporation.
• Able to work in a matrix environment with minimal supervision.
• Experience within the Med-Tech or pharmaceutical industry is desired.
• Efficient hands-on project experience, with a proven ability to execute tasks effectively.
• Excellent communication skills, adaptable to all levels.
• Structured, rigorous, and analytical approach.
• Excellent command of English with German proficiency preferred, both written and spoken.

Reporting/Supervisory Structure

The role reports directly to the Director of Site Operations, with a dotted line to the Division Environmental Health and Safety Leader.

Why Join Abbott / Thoratec?

At Abbott, we believe people do their best work when they feel supported, respected, and able to grow. You can expect:

• Work that directly improves and saves lives.
• Long-term career development in a global healthcare organization.
• A stable, crisis-resilient industry.
• A collaborative, international, and highly skilled team.
• A modern workplace in the heart of Zurich.
• An inclusive culture where diverse perspectives are valued.

Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.