Safety Officer – Pharmaceuticals

Legacy HR Consultancy • JAFZA, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Legacy HR Consultancy is seeking a meticulous and high-integrity Safety Officer specializing in the Pharmaceutical and Production sectors. Based in the strategic Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) , this role is critical for maintaining the stringent safety standards required in medicinal manufacturing.

The successful candidate will act as the primary guardian of workplace health, ensuring that production lab environments, chemical handling, and waste management systems meet both international Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and local UAE regulatory frameworks. This is a “hands-on” operational role requiring a blend of technical engineering knowledge and rigorous administrative discipline.

Key Responsibilities

The Safety Officer is responsible for the end-to-end safety lifecycle of a pharmaceutical production facility:

Legal Compliance & Regulatory Control: Lead all activities related to OFC (Operations Fitness Certificate) renewals and ensure all fire systems meet Dubai Civil Defense approvals.
Pharma GMP Safety: Implement and monitor safety requirements specific to Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) , ensuring zero contamination and maximum operator protection.
Hazardous Materials Management: Oversee the identification, storage, and disposal of industrial hazardous waste, maintaining strict environment and waste management protocols.
Emergency Management: Coordinate firefighting drills, maintain emergency response equipment, and lead the facility’s emergency evacuation strategies.
Workplace Health & Lab Safety: Conduct regular audits of manufacturing floors and specialized laboratories to mitigate chemical, biological, and physical risks.
Documentation & SOPs: Draft, update, and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for safety, ensuring all documentation is “audit-ready” for federal inspections.

Required Qualifications & Skills

Our client seeks a candidate who combines formal technical education with internationally recognized safety certifications:

Academic Foundation: Bachelor’s Degree in Safety, Engineering, Environmental Science , or a closely related technical field.
Professional Certification: Must hold valid NEBOSH (IGC) certification. Additional certifications in OSHA or IOSH are highly preferred.
Industry Experience: 3–4 years of total experience, specifically within Pharmaceuticals, Perfumes, FMCG, or heavy Production industries.
Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of fire suppression systems, chemical spill response, and industrial ventilation requirements.
Regulatory Familiarity: Proven experience dealing with JAFZA authorities and UAE Labor Law safety mandates.

About the Company: Legacy HR Consultancy

Legacy HR Consultancy is a premier talent solutions provider in the UAE, specializing in technical and industrial placements for the country’s free zones. By partnering with leading pharmaceutical and FMCG manufacturers in JAFZA , Legacy ensures that critical infrastructure roles are filled by professionals who prioritize “Safety First.” The client company is a prominent manufacturer offering long-term stability and a structured benefits package for dedicated industrial professionals.

Market & Industry Context

The Pharmaceutical industry in the UAE is a cornerstone of the “Operation 300bn” strategy, which aims to position the Emirates as a global hub for life sciences. In 2026, safety officers in JAFZA are at the front lines of this expansion. With increasing global scrutiny on supply chain integrity and environmental sustainability, a Safety Officer’s ability to manage Hazardous Waste and Workplace Safety directly impacts a company’s license to operate and its ability to export to international markets.

Career Growth & Progression Path

A Safety Officer role in a JAFZA-based pharma firm offers a clear path towards senior EHS leadership:

Senior Safety Officer: Taking on larger facility responsibilities and mentoring junior inspectors.
EHS Manager (Environment, Health & Safety): Strategic oversight of multiple production sites and corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting.
Compliance Auditor: Transitioning into a specialized role auditing international GMP standards for global pharma groups.
HSE Consultant: Providing third-party advisory services to the burgeoning industrial sector in the GCC.

Interview Preparation Insights

Expect the interview to focus on high-stakes scenario testing and regulatory knowledge:

GMP Deep-Dive: Be prepared to explain how safety protocols differ in a “Clean Room” environment compared to a standard warehouse.
The “OFC” Process: Detail your direct experience with JAFZA or Civil Defense inspections. What were the challenges, and how did you resolve them?
Chemical Spills: Walk the interviewer through your immediate response plan for a high-volume hazardous chemical leak in a lab setting.
Safety Culture: How do you convince production-line workers to strictly follow PPE protocols when they feel it slows down their work?

Estimated Salary & Benefits

Pay: AED 3,800 – AED 4,000 per month (Full-time).
Comprehensive Benefits Package:
- Accommodation: Company-provided bachelors’ accommodation.
- Transportation: Company-provided transportation to and from the site.
- Meals: One meal provided on duty.
- Leave: 30 days of paid Annual Leave with an AED 1,500 cash allowance for airfare.
- Visa & Insurance: 2-year residency visa and health insurance provided.
- Onboarding: All onboarding costs covered by the employer.
- Overtime: Paid overtime provided whenever required.

Work Environment & Location Insights

JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone), Dubai: You will be working in one of the world’s most efficient industrial ecosystems. The environment is fast-paced, highly regulated, and requires an “In-Person” presence on the manufacturing floor. JAFZA is a diverse, multicultural hub where professional conduct and adherence to strict corporate hierarchies are valued. The role follows the standard UAE industrial work week, with the potential for overtime during peak production cycles or audit seasons.

Compliance & Equal Opportunity Note

This recruitment process adheres to the UAE Labor Law . Legacy HR Consultancy is an equal-opportunity facilitator. All hires are subject to a clear criminal record check (Good Conduct Certificate) and the successful attestation of educational degrees by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

Advanced Core Summary: Safety Officer (Pharmaceuticals)

Category	Details & Key Data
Organization	Legacy HR Consultancy (Client: Pharma/Production)
Location	JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone) , Dubai
Monthly Salary	AED 3,800 – AED 4,000
Total Experience	3–4 Years in Pharma, Perfume, FMCG, or Production
Required Education	Bachelor’s in Safety, Engineering, or Environmental Science
Certifications	NEBOSH , OSHA , or IOSH (Mandatory)
Employment Type	Full-time, In-person
Visa & Contract	2-Year Visa (Onboarding costs covered by company)

Key Responsibilities & Regulatory Scope

Pharma Standards: Maintaining GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) safety requirements and specialized Lab Safety protocols.
Compliance: Managing OFC Renewals , Fire System Approvals, and general UAE Legal/Regulatory control.
Risk Management: Handling industry hazardous materials, waste management, and environmental impact controls.
Emergency Response: Coordinating fire-fighting measures and comprehensive Workplace Safety / Emergency Management.
Documentation: Developing and enforcing Safety SOPs and maintaining all related health and safety documentation.

Structured Benefits & Allowances

Benefit Item	Provision Details
Accommodation	Provided by Company (Bachelor status)
Transportation	Provided by Company
Airfare	AED 1,500 cash for annual ticket
Annual Leave	30 Days Paid Leave
Health Care	Medical Insurance provided
Meals	1 Meal provided on duty
Overtime	Applicable where required

To apply for this job please visit legacyhrc.com.