Regional Hse Specialist

Chep Uk Ltd.; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading logistics company in South Africa is seeking an experienced HSE Manager to enhance Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) performance across the region. The role involves developing safety programs, leading incident investigations, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Candidates must have a relevant degree and 5-7 years of HSE experience in a manufacturing context. The position is hybrid, allowing for a balance of remote work and site presence. Competitive compensation and a collaborative work environment are offered.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Health and wellness programs

Flexible work arrangements

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in a safety role or operational implementation.
• Prior experience in a safety role in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience working with regulatory bodies and labor representatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement safety programs to enhance HSE performance.
• Lead complex incident investigations to prevent recurrence.
• Oversee incident claims ensuring timely resolution.

Skills

Crisis and incident leadership

Digital literacy

Excellent problem-solving skills

Effective negotiation and conflict-resolution skills

Communication & influencing skills

Education

Diploma/Degree in Safety/HSE (OHS) or related field

Tools

iCARE

OHSOnline

Job description

CHEP helps move more goods to more people, in more places than any other organization on earth via our million pallets, crates and containers.

We employ approximately 13, people and operate in 60 countries.

Through our pioneering and sustainable share‑and‑reuse business model, the world's biggest brands trust us to help them transport their goods more efficiently, safely and with less environmental impact.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and continually improve safety programs to enhance HSE performance and compliance.
• Proactively drive safety initiatives, including leading‑indicator programs that foster a preventive approach to HSE performance.
• Oversee incident claims from inception through to closure, ensuring timely resolution and corrective actions for future prevention.
• Establish and enforce standardized environmental practices in alignment with company policies and relevant regulations.
• Track and report monthly HSE performance metrics, working with a range of stakeholders including service centre managers to implement operating procedures and reporting processes.
• Support the Senior Manager, Health & Safety – Sub Saharan Africa and team to lead and drive the HSE strategy across the region, ensuring compliance, cultural transformation, and continuous improvement.
• Lead the development and implementation of site‑specific HSE & Wellbeing Improvement Plans, ensuring alignment with global and regional Safety Strategic Focus Areas (Tier 4 Plans) and driving measurable outcomes across all sites.
• Oversee and embed effective HSE & Wellbeing programs throughout the region, leveraging digital platforms (e.g., iCARE, OHSOnline) for real‑time monitoring and compliance.
• Direct regional compliance with GAP standards, leading the identification, prioritization and closure of corrective actions, and ensuring audit readiness in line with OHSA, ISO, and ISO requirements.
• Design and lead intensive focus initiatives to reduce workplace injuries, using data‑driven risk assessments and predictive analytics to target high‑risk areas.
• Manage regional injury management processes, ensuring timely and accurate iCARE reporting, non‑punitive incident reporting systems, and effective return‑to‑work programmes.
• Drive cultural transformation across the region by leading change‑management initiatives (e.g., ADKAR or Kotter frameworks) to foster a proactive safety culture and embed a people‑first approach.
• Champion best‑practice sharing across safety processes, establishing regional learning teams (HOP) to promote knowledge transfer and innovation in HSE practices.
• Foster a collaborative HSE environment, leading cross‑functional partnerships with Operations, Engineering and other departments to integrate safety and environmental considerations into all business processes.
• Provide strategic leadership and coaching to site managers and leaders, empowering local ownership of HSE responsibilities and building capability across the region.
• Lead complex incident investigations, using Root Cause Analysis or TapRooT methodologies to identify underlying factors, implement preventative measures, and prevent recurrence.
• Develop and deliver advanced HSE training programmes for managers, leaders and safety professionals, ensuring competency in practical safety services and regulatory compliance.
• Lead significant incident response and crisis management, coordinating rapid response strategies and overseeing post‑incident reviews as directed by the Senior HSE Manager.
• Ensure full compliance with CHEP, Brambles Zero Harm, and regulatory standards (OHSA, NEMA, ISO), minimizing workers’ compensation costs and driving continuous safety performance improvement.
• Lead strategic safety projects (e.g., machine guarding, pedestrian segregation) from conception to implementation, ensuring alignment with global objectives and regional needs.
• Oversee HSE/Engineering collaboration for all CapEx projects, ensuring safety and environmental considerations are integrated into project planning and execution.
• Serve as the primary HSE advisor for regional leadership, providing expert guidance and fostering accountability for safety outcomes across all sites.
• Compile and analyse monthly regional safety reports, utilising data analytics to identify trends, inform decision‑making and drive performance improvements.
• Lead preparations for Quarterly Safety Reviews, presenting regional performance metrics and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Develop and implement environmental management plans, ensuring compliance with NEMA and ISO and driving sustainability initiatives (e.g., waste reduction, carbon footprint minimisation).
• Lead the development and testing of regional business continuity plans for HSE‑related incidents, ensuring rapid response and recovery to minimise disruptions.

Position Purpose

The role is responsible for providing strategic and practical HSE support across the Coastal region, influencing and supporting a geographically dispersed team to achieve zero injuries and zero negative environmental impact.

Key Requirements

• Diploma/Degree in Safety/HSE (OHS) or a related field.
• Prior experience in a safety role in a manufacturing environment.
• At least 5‑7 years’ experience in a safety role or operational implementation of safety programmes.
• Digital and analytical expertise, including experience with digital HSE systems (iCARE, OHSOnline) and data analytics, reflecting audit‑driven trends toward real‑time compliance and predictive risk management.
• Crisis and incident leadership, with experience in complex incident investigations and crisis management, applying methodologies such as Root Cause Analysis.
• Experience in practical and sustainable safety solutions.
• Experience working with regulatory bodies and labour representatives.
• Strong customer‑focus orientation.
• Experienced in driving collaborative change.
• Effective at stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and strategic thinking ability.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross‑functionally.
• Experience in culture transformation initiatives.
• Managing and leading change in a highly matrixed organisation.
• Experience working in virtual teams.

Skills & Knowledge

• Detailed knowledge of Health, Safety and Environmental regulations.
• Skilled communicator and influencer.
• Effective negotiation and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Strong vision and principled approach.
• Ability to build trust and excitement for safety within the region.
• Results‑driven with a strong analytical and problem‑solving skill set.
• Clear, persuasive and collaborative communication & influencing skills.
• Detailed knowledge of Health, Safety and environmental management systems.

Remote Type

Hybrid Remote

Skills to Succeed in the Role

• Active Learning
• Adaptability
• Cross‑Functional Work
• Curiosity
• Digital Literacy
• Emotional Intelligence
• Empathy
• Environmental Health And Safety
• Health and Safety
• Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Management Systems
• Initiative
• Internal Auditing
• Problem Solving
• Process Safety
• Product Safety