EHS Advisor

NZ02 Arxada NZ Limited; New Plymouth; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Arxada is seeking an experienced EHS Advisor to protect people, operations and the environment at the New Plymouth site. You will lead day-to-day EHS activities, drive risk assessments, and ensure regulatory compliance while supporting site operations and continuous improvement.

Join a global leader in chemistry and biotechnology with a strong safety culture and collaborative teams across manufacturing, lab and field operations in New Zealand.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Occupational Health, Environmental Health & Safety or related discipline.
• NZQA Level 5/6 qualification in Safety or equivalent is preferred (e.g., NEBOSH IGC).
• Certification in ICAM or Root Cause Investigation is desirable.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in EHS within manufacturing/chemical environments.
• Proven ability to lead risk assessments, PHRA, incident investigations and audits.
• Strong knowledge of NZ Health & Safety and environmental legislation.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day EHS leadership and operational support across site, lab, field and sales teams.
• Lead hazard identification and risk assessment activities using multiple methodologies.
• Support EHS management system implementation and regulatory compliance.
• Drive a positive safety culture through coaching, training and engagement.
• Manage incident reporting, investigations, root cause analysis and CAPA tracking.
• Champion EHS software usage for accurate reporting and data monitoring.
• Coordinate emergency preparedness activities and test Response Plans.
• Act as local subject-matter expert on NZ health, safety and environment legislation.

Skills

EHS leadership

Risk assessment

Incident investigations

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder influence

Continuous improvement

Education

OHS/EHS tertiary qualification

NZQA Level 5/6 Safety qualification

NEBOSH IGC or equivalent

Tools

EHS management software

Job description

Arxada is a global leader in innovative solutions that protect our world. Our groundbreaking technologies, in-depth regulatory know-how, manufacturing and process development help our customers to safeguard nutrition, health and infrastructure efficiently through chemistry and biotechnology that enhance sustainability. We offer a broad portfolio of ingredients and services for multiple end-markets that include Human Health & Nutrition, Home & Personal Care, Professional Hygiene, Paints & Coatings and Wood Protection. With customers in more than 100 countries, the company achieved 2 billion CHF in 2025 sales. Headquartered in Basel (Switzerland), Arxada employs 3,100 associates across 24 production sites and 14 R&D centers, all committed to our customers’ success.

As an EHS Advisor in New Plymouth, New Zealand, you will play a vital role in protecting our people, operations, and environment while helping to drive a strong culture of safety and continuous improvement. Working closely with cross-functional teams across manufacturing, laboratory, field research, and commercial operations, you will provide expert guidance on environmental, health, and safety initiatives, ensuring compliance while enabling business success. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced EHS professional who thrives on collaboration, takes ownership of challenges, and is passionate about building a proactive safety culture. You will contribute directly to the implementation of the New Plymouth EHS Improvement Plan, support operational excellence, and help Arxada maintain the highest standards in risk management and regulatory compliance.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provide day-to-day EHS leadership and operational support across the New Plymouth manufacturing site, laboratory, field research team, and crop protection sales team.
• Lead hazard identification and risk assessment activities using a range of risk management methodologies.
• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of EHS management systems, ensuring compliance with legislative and corporate requirements.
• Drive a positive safety culture through coaching, training, engagement, and behavioural-based safety initiatives.
• Manage EHS incident reporting, investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action tracking to ensure timely closure and continuous learning.
• Champion the use of EHS management software to ensure accurate reporting, data management, and performance monitoring.
• Coordinate and support emergency preparedness activities, including the development, review, and testing of Emergency Response Plans.
• Act as the local subject matter expert on New Zealand health, safety, and environmental legislation, supporting compliance and business decision-making.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Tertiary qualification in Occupational Health, Environmental Health & Safety, or a related discipline.
• NZQA Level 5/6 qualification in Safety or equivalent professional certification, such as NEBOSH IGC, preferred.
• Certification in ICAM or Root Cause Incident Investigation methodology.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in Environmental, Health & Safety within manufacturing, chemical, or industrial environments.
• Proven experience leading complex risk assessments, process hazard reviews, incident investigations, and EHS audits.
• Strong knowledge of New Zealand Health & Safety and environmental legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Arxada has world class offering in two distinct areas: Microbial Control Solutions (MCS) focuses on threats posed by microorganisms to people and planet through five distinct business lines including Professional Hygiene, Home & Personal Care, Wood Protection, Paints & Coatings and Material Protection. Nutrition, Care & Environmental (NCE), meanwhile, provides materials used to manufacture composites for electronics, aerospace and other markets, as well as vitamins and nutritional ingredients, chemicals and performance intermediates, and raw materials for a wide range of high-performance applications.

Arxada is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

NZ02