HSE Manager – Chemical Manufacturing

Ntice Search Solutions; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global organization seeks a proactive HSE Manager for its chemical manufacturing plant near Milnerton, Cape Town. The role focuses on embedding a zero-harm culture, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving safety performance improvements. Candidates should hold relevant degrees and possess significant experience in HSE within the chemical industry.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ HSE experience in chemical/process manufacturing.
• 5+ years in a senior leadership role within the Chemical Manufacturing industry.
• Strong knowledge of SA HSE legislation and chemical safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with OHSA and Major Hazard Installation regulations.
• Lead risk assessments and incident investigations.
• Implement and sustain formal HSE management systems.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Communication

Education

BSc/BEng Degree in Safety, Environmental Science, Chemical Engineering

Job description

Serious about Safety & environmental compliance? An exciting opportunity exists for a proactive and experienced HSE Manager to lead Health, Safety, and Environmental strategies across a high-risk chemical manufacturing operation based near Milnerton, Cape Town. The successful candidate will be responsible for embedding a zero-harm culture, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving continuous improvement in safety performance. This role is for a Global organisation and reports to the MD of South Africa.

Note: There will be limited traveling involved. The ideal candidate should be based close to the Milnerton area, and if outside of Cape Town relocation will be considered for the right candidate.

Requirements:

• BSc/BEng Degree Safety, Environmental Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years’ HSE experience in chemical/process manufacturing, with 5+ years in a senior leadership role. (Experience within the Chemical Manufacturing industry critical and non-negotiable requirement)
• Solid knowledge of SA HSE legislation, chemical safety protocols, and audit processes.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence at all levels and instill a proactive safety mindset.
• Valid driver’s license and own reliable transport.
• Having managed the HSE for a multiple sites or sites/site with a staff compliment of over 200 employees
• Working closely with the Maintenance department and Operations Managers

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure full compliance with OHSA, Hazardous Chemical Substances (HCS), and Major Hazard Installation (MHI) regulations.
• Champion Process Safety Management (PSM) and hazard studies such as HAZOPs.
• Lead risk assessments, incident investigations, close-out reports, and drive root cause analysis with follow-through actions.
• Manage the Permit-to-Work (PTW), Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and contractor safety permit processes.
• Oversee internal HSE audits, site inspections, and prepare for external audits by regulators.
• Drive Environmental compliance, including emissions monitoring, effluent management, and hazardous waste disposal.
• Implement and sustain formal HSE management systems (e.g., ISO 14001/45001) and reporting (e.g., Section 24 OHSA, COIDA).
• Engage with internal stakeholders, unions, SHE committees, and external authorities.
• Develop and track mandatory and role-specific safety training and lead behavioural safety initiatives, with the assistance of the Training & Development Facilitator)
• Build and sustain a culture of safety through visible leadership and frontline engagement.

Ideal Candidate:

You’re hands-on, visible on the shop floor, and known for challenging complacency. With a calm, decisive nature, you’re effective under pressure and capable of navigating complex stakeholder environments. You bring strong analytical, coaching, strategically driven and strong communication skills—and most importantly, a passion for safeguarding people, processes, and the environment.

Please Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Only applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.