Head of Health and Safety

Devenish is seeking a Head of Health, Safety and Environment to join our team.

Devenish Nutrition is a fast growing, innovative, international agri-food technology business, supplying innovative environmental, animal and human health solutions to the farm, feed and food industry internationally. Headquartered in Belfast, Devenish have five manufacturing sites in the UK and four in the United States, from where they supply innovative nutritional solutions and technical expertise to producers through the farm, feed and food industry in UK, Ireland, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Mexico and the USA.

The Role

Reporting to the Group HR Director, you will have responsibility for leading on the group health, safety and environment strategy and in ensuring compliance and good practice is in place for the organisation and all employees to promote a positive proactive HSE culture. In conjunction with the relevant Managing Directors, you will provide strategic direction on company health, safety and environmental matters including but not limited to developing and implementing the EHS strategy for the organisation.

You will have line management responsibilities for the HSE Officer and functional oversight of Health, Safety and Environmental site leads.

Key areas of responsibility and duties include:

Health and Safety

• Providing oversight and direction in relation to investigations, near misses and accidents and ensuring appropriate follow up action is taken to identify root cause and prevention of re occurrence
• Ensure all relevant Policies and Procedures are in place and define requirements of relevant legislation and standards (e.g., ISO) to ensure compliance
• Establishing company performance indicators and KPIs in relation to EHS and reporting against same
• Lead on auditing, monitoring and addressing gaps
• Lead, develop and implement behavioural safety programmes, ensuring clear and consistent communication across all areas
• Work in collaboration with local site H&S representatives and relevant managers and support in the promotion of H&S culture
• Ensuring risk assessments are undertaken and safe systems of work developed and implemented, to eliminate or reduce risks to the health and safety of employees or other persons
• In conjunction with HR ensure all appropriate and relevant H&S training is in place and delivered
• Management of relationship with external bodies in relation to H&S matters. Establish and maintain a working relationship with external stakeholders notably the HSE.
• Assistance in the claims management process with the legal and HR teams
• Ensuring the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) at all sites.
• Ensuring compliance with fire and emergency evacuation procedures

Environment

• Ensure company policies and procedures are developed and maintained on environmental matters in line with applicable legislation and regulations and good environmental management practice
• Driving improvements in our internal environmental performance to deliver against key targets eg water, energy, transport usage with consideration of the UN Sustainability Goals
• Support the creation of a Corporate Social Responsibility report from an environmental perspective in conjunction with other business leads
• Conduct environmental monitoring and auditing and report on same and follow-up on remedial actions

Essential Criteria:

• NEBOSH (H&S) certification or equivalent
• Previous experience of responsibility for HSE and reporting to Board level
• Solid experience of H&S requirements and legislation
• Experience of carrying out internal audits
• 3 years management level experience
• Experience of driving a significant change or safety programme
• Ability to think strategically
• Experience of undertaking investigations and decision making
• Experience of data collection and analysis to drive improvements
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills with the ability to present information to a range of stakeholders both internal and external and to different audiences
• Ability to communicate effectively using influencing and negotiation skills to gain the commitment of stakeholders
• Ability to robustly and appropriately challenge the status quo to implement change and drive improvements in EHS
• Resilient – works well under pressure
• Strong analytical problem-solving abilities
• Results driven with sound business judgement
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build constructive working relationships and work collaboratively
• Prepared to travel to various sites across GB, NI and RoI as required
• Full driving licence and access to a car

Desirable Criteria:

• Degree in Health, Safety or Environmental discipline
• Other relevant Diploma (e.g., NEBOSH / NCRQ)
• Internal auditor training
• First Aid trained
• Experience of HSE investigations
• Experience in CDM requirements
• Crisis management experience
• Experience in working towards ISO standards

Salary and Benefits:

• 37.5hr week, flexibility will be required
• Based in Belfast, travel may be required
• Competitive salary dependent upon skills and experience
• Company matched pension scheme, paid via salary sacrifice
• Corporate Health Cashplan, with access to an Employee Assist Programme
• Internal training and development opportunities

The Devenish Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.