Job Description

Roles & Responsibilities

The Health & Safety Country Manager provides strategic and operational leadership to drive a proactive, risk-based Health & Safety culture across the country, aligned with SGS global standards and business objectives. The role is accountable for embedding effective risk management, strengthening operational discipline, and ensuring that Health & Safety is integrated into all business activities to support sustainable and safe growth. Acting as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and leadership teams, the role influences decision-making and ensures strong governance, leadership accountability, and continuous improvement across all locations.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Provide strategic leadership by translating global and regional H&S strategy into a clear and actionable country roadmap aligned with business priorities.
• Drive a risk-based approach focusing on identification, assessment, and control of critical risks, ensuring effectiveness of controls rather than simple compliance.
• Lead the development of a strong safety culture, reinforcing leadership behaviours, accountability, and employee engagement across all levels of the organisation.
• Ensure robust incident reporting, investigation, and learning processes, with a focus on root cause analysis and prevention of recurrence.
• Build organisational capability through coaching, training, and development of H&S personnel and operational leaders.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and SGS standards, and support integration of H&S into acquisitions, projects, and operational changes.

CORE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Risk Leadership Anticipates, prioritises, and manages critical risks using data-driven insights and proactive approaches.
• Influencing & Engagement Builds trust, influences stakeholders at all levels, and integrates Health & Safety into business decision-making.
• Safety Culture Leadership Drives behavioural change, ownership, and accountability, fostering a positive and proactive safety culture.
• Operational Excellence Ensures consistent and effective implementation of the Health & Safety Management System with measurable performance outcomes.
• Team Leadership & Capability Building Develops high-performing teams and builds capability through coaching, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

Desired Candidate Profile

Degree in Health & Safety or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience. Minimum of 10 years experience in Health & Safety management, including leadership roles in complex or multi-site environments. Professional certification (e.g. NEBOSH, ISO 45001 Lead Auditor) is preferred. Demonstrated ability to lead change, influence senior stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement.