Head of QA/HSE

Focal Search Pte Ltd; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A maritime industry leader is seeking a seasoned QA/HSE professional in Singapore. The candidate will develop and implement the QA/HSE strategy, ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations and leading efforts towards sustainability goals. The ideal profile includes 10-15 years of experience in QA/HSE roles, strong leadership skills, and a collaborative mindset. This role involves mentoring teams and driving emergency response planning while engaging with stakeholders on regulatory compliance and performance reporting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 to 15 years of experience in QA/HSE roles within offshore marine, shipbuilding, or oil & gas industries.
• Strong knowledge of IMO and ISO standards.
• Proven leadership and cross-cultural team management experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the company-wide QA/HSE strategy.
• Serve as the subject matter expert on QA/HSE-related matters.
• Ensure compliance with applicable HSE laws and conventions.
• Lead and mentor QA/HSE professionals across regions.
• Collaborate with ESG teams to support green initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree in Engineering, Marine, Occupational Safety, or related field

Tools

ISO standards (9001, 14001, 45001)

Job description

• Develop and implement the company-wide QA/HSE strategy, aligned with business objectives, international maritime regulations, and sustainability goals.
• Serve as the subject matter expert to executive management on all QA/HSE-related matters, including risk mitigation, incident prevention, and regulatory compliance.
• Provide leadership across operational sites (shipyards, offshore vessels, engineering divisions) to standardize QA/HSE frameworks.

Quality Assurance (QA)

• Establish and maintain ISO-certified QA systems (e.g., ISO 9001) across shipbuilding, vessel operations, and engineering services.
• Drive continuous improvement programs (e.g. lean, Six Sigma, root cause analysis) to improve product quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
• Conduct and oversee audits (internal, customer, third‑party) and ensure timely close‑out of non‑conformances.

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

• Ensure compliance with applicable HSE laws, IMO conventions (e.g. MARPOL, SOLAS), and classification society requirements (e.g. ABS, DNV).
• Promote a zero‑incident safety culture through training, behavior‑based safety programs, and incident investigations.
• Lead emergency response planning and crisis management drills, particularly for offshore and shipyard operations.

Regulatory Compliance & Reporting

• Liaise with flag states, classification societies, regulatory bodies, and major clients to ensure QA/HSE compliance.
• Oversee accurate reporting of incidents, near‑misses, risk assessments, and environmental impacts.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly QA/HSE performance reports for the Board and external stakeholders.

People Management

• Lead and mentor QA/HSE professionals across regions, ensuring development, training, and succession planning.
• Lead the coordination of cross‑functional teams throughout audit, certification, and investigation processes.

Sustainability & ESG

• Collaborate with ESG and technical teams to support green initiatives such as battery‑hybrid vessel implementation, offshore wind support projects, and carbon footprint tracking.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Degree in Engineering, Marine, Occupational Safety, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 to 15 years of experience in QA/HSE roles within the offshore marine, shipbuilding, or oil & gas industries.
• Strong knowledge of IMO, ISO standards (9001, 14001, 45001), ISM Code, ISPS Code, and OHSAS regulations.
• Proven leadership and cross‑cultural team management experience.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strategic thinking and risk‑based decision‑making.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving ability.
• Leadership with integrity and accountability.
• Collaborative mindset with a drive for excellence.
• High attention to detail, especially in regulatory and technical documentation.