General Manager | WHS & People Risk

Barclay Recruitment; Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 160,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Barclay Recruitment is partnering with an established ASX-listed group to appoint a General Manager responsible for safety, wellbeing and people risk across Australia and New Zealand. This newly created leadership role offers genuine ownership and the freedom to challenge existing practices while driving meaningful change.

Expect down-to-earth colleagues and straight-talking leaders who value initiative and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Senior multi-site safety leadership is required.
• Experience building practical WHS systems, governance and reporting.
• Background in warehousing, logistics, distribution or manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of Australian WHS, workers' compensation and incident processes.
• Hands-on leader who can influence frontline teams up to the Board.
• WHS Diploma or equivalent; ISO 45001 knowledge is a plus.
• NZ safety knowledge is highly regarded.
• Current driver's licence and willingness to travel AU/NZ.

Responsibilities

• Turn the safety gap analysis into a group-wide WHS strategy.
• Build WHS systems, governance, accountability and Board reporting.
• Manage AU and NZ safety compliance and workers' compensation.
• Visit sites and improve safety across diverse operations.
• Identify risks, set controls and lead incident investigations.
• Oversee claims, rehabilitation, return to work and wellbeing.
• Manage psychosocial risks, fatigue and fitness for work.
• Lead safety audits, improvements and leadership capability.
• Lead safety teams, budgets, advisers and open reporting culture.

Skills

Senior safety leadership

WHS governance

Influence from frontline to Board

WHS knowledge (Australian)

Travel across AU/NZ

Education

WHS Diploma or equivalent

NZ safety knowledge

Tools

ISO 45001 knowledge

Job description

Join an established ASX-listed group employing 800 people across Australia and New Zealand, spanning warehousing, manufacturing and logistics.

This newly created GM role offers genuine ownership of safety, wellbeing and people risk, with the freedom to challenge existing practices and drive change.

Expect real, down-to-earth people, straight-talking leaders who welcome ideas, high standards without blame, and a supportive culture where people genuinely care and stay.

Why You Will Working Here

• Genuine, down-to-earth people who care about what they do
• Straight talkers who value honesty and doing the right thing
• Have a bad day? Own your mistakes and work through them together
• Supportive colleagues who share knowledge and work together
• Long-serving employees who choose to stay and grow
• Approachable, driven manager with high standards and an open door
• Bring fresh ideas, challenge thinking and shape how things are done
• Creativity and change are welcomed, not buried in red tape
• Leaders who value solutions, initiative and your judgement
• Visible owners, MD and Board who genuinely care about their people
• Work alongside HR, payroll and training in a collaborative team
• A newly created leadership role with real ownership and autonomy
• Build and shape the group's safety and people risk framework
• Make decisions, drive change and see the impact of your work
• Work across a diverse business in Australia and New Zealand
• Leadership development backed by an ASX-listed group
• Enjoy an extra day off every year to celebrate your birthday
• Anniversary bonuses that reward your loyalty and contribution
• Enjoy time off between Christmas and New Year with family
• Genuine flexibility to work from home when you need to
• Monthly birthday celebrations with a team that enjoys itself
• A proper onboarding program to help you feel at home from day one
• Bright, spacious open-plan offices with natural light and greenery
• A large lunchroom with beautiful water views
• Two coffee shops downstairs and great places nearby for lunch
• Five-minute walk to the CityCat, with Eat Street and Portside nearby
• Convenient on-site parking and additional street parking nearby
• Green spaces nearby for a lunchtime walk or a breath of fresh air
• All business travel arranged through Corporate Traveller and paid for
• $160k to $170k package plus super

Responsibilities

• Turn the safety gap analysis into a group-wide WHS strategy
• Build WHS systems, governance, accountability and Board reporting
• Manage AU and NZ safety compliance and workers compensation
• Visit sites and improve safety across diverse operations
• Identify risks, set controls and lead incident investigations
• Oversee claims, rehabilitation, return to work and wellbeing
• Manage psychosocial risks, fatigue and fitness for work
• Lead safety audits, improvements and leadership capability
• Lead safety teams, budgets, advisers and open reporting culture

Essential Skills

• Senior multi-site safety leadership in a large organisation
• Proven success building and improving practical WHS systems
• Warehousing, logistics, distribution or manufacturing background
• Strong Australian WHS, workers compensation and incident knowledge
• Hands‑on leader who influences frontline teams through to Board
• WHS Diploma or equivalent senior experience; ISO 45001 a plus
• NZ safety knowledge highly regarded
• Current driver's licence and willingness to travel across AU/NZ