General Manager - Workplace Health & Safety ANZ

Work Initiatives; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 260,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

Opal in Australia is seeking a General Manager for Workplace Health & Safety ANZ to lead enterprise WHS strategy, governance, and operating model. You will manage a dedicated team across Safety Business Partners and Safety Process & Systems, embedding hazard identification and risk-based assurance across sites.

You will advise the Executive Leadership Team and Boards, drive safety culture, and partner with regulators and unions while enabling enterprise-wide transformation and capital

Qualifications

• Executive-level WHS leadership experience within manufacturing or heavy industry.
• Proven track record in enterprise change and risk-based assurance programs.
• Deep knowledge of ANZ WHS legislation and transport safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Deliver enterprise WHS strategy and governance for ANZ.
• Lead Safety Business Partners and Safety Process & Systems teams across ANZ.
• Oversee WHS management systems, risk-based audits, and executive reporting.

Job description

General Manager - Workplace Health & Safety ANZ

Discover Opal…Opal is a leading paper and packaging manufacturer operating a complex, multi-site network across Australia and New Zealand. As a core part of our operational philosophy, safety is at the centre of everything we do.

We are navigating a significant period of change and enterprise transformation. To lead our health and safety function through this next evolution, we are seeking a strategic, highly influential General Manager WHS ANZ to champion safe, compliant, and continuously improving performance across all operations.

Discover the Opportunity…Reporting directly to the Chief People & Corporate Affairs Officer, you will provide enterprise-wide leadership for Opal’s WHS strategy, governance, and operating model. Managing a dedicated team across two core functional arms, Safety Business Partners and Safety Process & Systems, you will ensure the business owns operational risk while your team provides collaborative partnership, standards, and independent assurance. In this executive role, you will move beyond traditional compliance to embed a proactive hazard identification and critical-risk management culture across our sites.

Acting as an expert advisor to the Executive Leadership Team, Board forums, regulators, and unions, you will drive functional excellence and consistency across Australia and New Zealand. What will you be doing?

Delivering enterprise WHS strategy, coaching and constructively challenging executive and operational leaders to strengthen safety culture and accountabilityLeading a multi-disciplinary WHS team across ANZ, building capability, clear accountabilities, and an active internal WHS community across all business units. Overseeing the design and continual improvement of Opal’s WHS management system, risk-based audit programs, critical-control verifications, and executive reporting frameworks. Establishing robust frameworks for critical risks and transport safety.

Overseeing serious incident notifications, escalations, investigations, and regulatory relationships with authority and independence. Sponsoring the WHS transformation portfolio, integrating WHS into business planning, capital investments, and organisational change while developing team capability and succession pipelines.

Who are we looking for?

Executive-level WHS leadership experience within manufacturing, heavy industry, FMCG, logistics, or transport operating across complex, geographically dispersed environments. A proven track record of leading enterprise change, managing technology-enabled transformations, and implementing consistent systems across large-scale business operations. Deep expertise in ANZ WHS legislation, transport safety regulations, management systems, critical-risk control, and risk-based assurance programs.

Demonstrated capability to engage, influence, lead with empathy and partner with ELT/Board stakeholders, site leaders, frontline teams, regulators, and unions. Willingness and ability to travel regularly across Australian and New Zealand sites.

Why Join Opal?

Take ownership of a critical function where safety is genuinely prioritised at every level of the organisation. Lead a high-performing ANZ team through meaningful change and continuous improvement.

Opportunity to shape, modernise, and unify WHS systems and culture across a leading paper and packaging business