Q&A with Angelica Rotundo
Safety, Health, and Environment cares and looks after our people. At Apotex, our employees are our greatest asset and they are the ones that make everything possible. The Safety, Health and Environment team supports all efforts to prevent and mitigate hazards for our employees. They focus on organizational solutions that optimize the safety of processes and equipment while ensuring the solutions are viable for the sustainability and growth of the business.
As a new employee, we asked Angelica about her time so far with Apotex and what new employees should expect from a role on the team.
I lead strategic safety programs across the Signet site – in Toronto – focused on the prevention of workplace incidents and injuries, while ensuring compliance with legislative requirements. My role is highly dynamic and closely tied in with the businesses’ core operational activities. I partner with client groups to ensure that we identify, and control occupational risk related to changes and modifications of process, equipment, and the environment.
It’s been nine fantastic months since I joined Apotex, I can honestly say they’ve been filled with growth and great experiences. It is unlike any other organization I’ve worked at from the perspective that it is highly committed to quality and delivery of service. It is incredible to see how intricate Apotex is as an organization, with everyone fulfilling a crucial role in our mission to support patient accessibility to affordable medication.
At Apotex, people are given the opportunity to be a change agent. Apotex strives everyday towards continuous improvement and encourages employees to innovate and think outside the box because we understand that the market and economy is constantly changing, and we must be highly adaptable and agile. Apotex values and fosters individuality and diversity which makes it an ideal environment to develop as a professional. So, I would say to potential applicants, that if they are looking to chart their own path, Apotex is the perfect place for you.
I’ve learned that as a woman it is very important to create a sense of community and to support one another. Throughout history, women have faced many challenges in career advancement which has created at times an unhealthy sense of competition. In order to grow and evolve, we need to support one another, and we need to celebrate each other’s successes. It’s like the saying goes: behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women who have her back.
I previously worked for a hospital corporation where I saw firsthand the numerous challenges our healthcare system faces. Our hospitals are struggling to meet the ever-growing needs of our patients. In order to improve the system, we need to ensure patients can manage their illnesses through the appropriate medications. But not everyone has the same opportunities, which is why affordable high-quality generic medication is the best option. This goal is very near and dear to me as many individuals in my family have had organ transplants and anti-rejection drugs have allowed them to live healthy and happy lives. After hearing how Apotex supports these efforts, I knew I wanted to be part of this great work and contribution to making a difference in the lives of patients around the world.
The opportunities are endless! The leaders drive safety through everything they do, and they are constantly looking for optimal solutions to future challenges, making it a truly proactive safety culture. For a new safety professional coming in, the current environment and desire to elevate the safety culture, would allow them to “make their mark”. They will have a chance to learn a highly challenging and interesting business, while successfully participating in large scale solutions to safety issues and challenges. Learning begins at the end of our comfort zone, and Apotex is the ideal environment to do this in.
I enjoy working with the people. I love their sense of purpose, their dedication, and their commitment to continuous improvement. It is easy to see just how connected we all feel to the higher purpose we have as an organization. I also love the strong sense of community at Apotex, which stems from the fact that a lot of people have worked together for many years. Collaboration is deeply embedded in everything we do.
Are you looking to join a passionate, innovative team? Explore our open positions.
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