QHSE Manager

About SGS

SGS is recognized as the world leader in inspection, verification, testing, and certification services, renowned globally for quality and integrity. Employing over 89,000 professionals, the company operates through a vast network encompassing more than 2,600 offices and laboratories worldwide.

Job Overview

The Health & Safety Country Manager is tasked with delivering both strategic and operational direction to foster a health and safety culture that is proactive and risk-oriented within the country. This role aligns efforts with SGS global standards and the company’s business goals. The manager is responsible for integrating effective risk management, promoting operational rigor, and embedding health and safety into every business function to facilitate safe and sustainable growth.

As a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and other senior leaders, this position plays a pivotal role in influencing strategic decisions, ensuring compliance, driving governance, and advocating for leadership accountability and ongoing enhancement throughout all company sites.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a country-specific health and safety strategy that reflects global and regional directions while supporting business priorities.
• Advocate a risk-based methodology to identify, assess, and control significant risks, prioritizing the effectiveness of controls over simple compliance.
• Cultivate a robust safety culture by reinforcing leadership behaviors, fostering accountability, and boosting staff engagement at all organizational levels.
• Oversee thorough incident management processes that include reporting, investigating root causes, and applying lessons learned to avoid recurrence.
• Enhance organizational skills through coaching, targeted training, and developing health and safety personnel along with operational leaders.
• Ensure adherence to local health and safety legislation and SGS standards, including during acquisitions, projects, and organizational changes.

Core Leadership Qualities

• Strategic Risk Leadership: Utilizes data-driven insights to proactively anticipate, prioritize, and manage essential risks.
• Influencing and Engagement: Builds stakeholder trust at all organizational tiers, integrating health and safety into business decisions.
• Safety Culture Leadership: Drives a culture of ownership, accountability, and positive behavioral changes regarding safety practices.
• Operational Excellence: Guarantees consistent and effective application of the Health & Safety Management System with measurable outcomes.
• Team Leadership and Capability Development: Fosters high-performing teams through coaching, cooperation, and knowledge sharing.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Health & Safety or a closely related field, or commensurate professional experience.
• A minimum of 10 years of expertise in health and safety management, with leadership experience in complex or multi-location operations.
• Professional certifications such as NEBOSH or ISO 45001 Lead Auditor are favored.
• Proven skills in leading change management, influencing senior leadership, and driving continuous improvements.

Performance Metrics

• Efficiency and implementation of critical risk control measures.
• Monitoring trends related to incident frequency, severity, and preventative actions.
• Execution and follow-up of audits and corrective actions.
• Leadership involvement and participation in health and safety initiatives.
• Completion and effectiveness of training programs and competency development.