Process Safety Specialist (HAZOP/LOPA Facilitation Lead)
Location: Geel, Belgium (with occasional travel to another local site)
Contract Duration: ASAP - 31 December 2026 (extension possible)
Work Authorization: No sponsorship available - candidates must have valid EU right to work
Overview
We are seeking an experienced HAZOP/LOPA Lead to join a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing site in Belgium. You will be part of a dedicated process safety team responsible for delivering safety studies across the full lifecycle of manufacturing equipment.
This role supports both capital projects (from basic engineering through to as-built) and remediation of existing installations, ensuring robust process safety standards across complex chemical and pharmaceutical operations.
As a HAZOP/LOPA Lead, you will play a key role in analysing, structuring, and justifying safety decisions across new and existing equipment, acting as a subject matter expert and sounding board for process safety topics.
Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end HAZOP and LOPA studies (preparation, facilitation, documentation, and reporting)
- Conduct safety reviews for new projects and existing installations, including remediation activities
- Analyse and support safety decisions for equipment such as reactors, dryers, centrifuges, tanks, and utilities systems
- Ensure periodic review and updating of safety studies in line with regulatory and internal standards
- Collaborate closely with process engineers, safety specialists, and HAZOP scribes
- Provide expert guidance on process safety methodologies and risk mitigation strategies
- Drive identification and development of innovative technical solutions to safety challenges
- Ensure high-quality documentation using tools such as PHA-Pro
Requirements
- Proven experience leading HAZOP and LOPA studies within industrial environments
- Minimum 2+ years experience as a HAZOP/LOPA Lead
- Strong understanding of process safety principles and a clear commitment to safety excellence
- Experience in both project environments and remediation of existing systems
- Familiarity with PHA-Pro (required)
- Strong communication skills; able to facilitate workshops and challenge constructively
- Fluent in English and Dutch (spoken and written)
- Based in Belgium or able to work onsite in Geel
Preferred:
- Experience with functional safety, ATEX, pressure relief (PSV/RD/orifice calculations), or machine safety
- Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Process Safety Engineering
- Background in pharmaceutical or chemical manufacturing environments