Senior Consultant - Process Safety Management (PSM)

DSS Sustainable Solutions; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in Johannesburg seeks a Senior Consultant specializing in operational risk management. The role requires a BS/BA in engineering or equivalent and a minimum of 15 years of experience, focusing on leading projects that implement sustainable business practices and risk solutions. Excellent leadership and communication skills are essential, with a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years’ experience in operational risk management.
• Proven track record in hazardous manufacturing industries.
• Ability to travel extensively (80% of the time).

Responsibilities

• Lead projects in Operational Risk Management transformation programs.
• Design and implement risk management solutions for clients.
• Drive design and execution of consulting engagements.

Skills

Strong knowledge of risk management techniques

Effective leadership skills

Interpersonal skills

Fluency in English

Problem-solving mindset

Education

BS/BA in engineering or equivalent

MBA or MSc preferred

Job description

Allow us to introduce ourselves

At dss+, we are not just your average operations consulting firm; we are implementers and change makers. Our passion lies in engaging organisations to craft resilient and sustainable businesses, guiding them through transformational changes in safety, risk and resilience and through their energy transition. We take the complex world of risk and sustainability and translate it into actionable roadmaps that work with our clients business. We implement, working side‑by‑side with our clients to deliver real, tangible results.

We are a diverse team of consultants who have hands‑on experience working in and leading complex operations across many industries. Our seasoned experts include operations executives, technical and project managers, experienced line managers, qualified coaches and digital natives who have a problem‑solving mindset and a passion for what they do. Combining industry best practices, the latest thinking in operations management and proven methodologies developed within dss+. Our people optimize outcomes across a wide range of industries including Oil & Gas, Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Mining & Metals, Power & Utilities, including Renewables.

We pride ourselves in combining industry experts and on the ground experience with strong people‑centric change management capabilities. This creates the perfect blend to support our clients from intent to impact, enabling them to protect what they care for, transform their organisation, and sustain the changes required to make their vision a reality, in a practical actionable way.

What will we offer?

We are a diverse team of consultants who have hands‑on experience working in and leading complex operations across many industries. Our seasoned experts include operations executives, technical and project managers, experienced line managers, qualified coaches and digital natives that have a problem‑solving mindset and a passion for what they do. Combining industry best practices, the latest thinking in operations management and proven methodologies developed within dss+, our experts optimize outcomes across a wide range of industries including Oil & Gas, Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Building & Construction, Food & Beverage, Mining & Metals, Utilities and Transportation.

What will you do?

As a Senior Consultant with expertise in risk management, safety management systems development, and process improvement implementation you will be trusted to lead projects in Operational Risk Management transformation programs. You will help clients design and implement solutions that help senior executives manage operational risks on the shop floor and process lines and ensure sustainable business performance, with the purpose of not just protecting asset value but also extracting and creating value. You will be responsible for identifying, designing, and implementing effective solutions and must be equally conversant with senior executives and process line supervisors. You will feel comfortable working through a client’s value chain, develop risk scenarios, identify and propose risk mitigation strategies, and link operational risk management outcomes to client’s business performance and their business plan.

This position will enable you to demonstrate your ability to see operational risk challenges across the entire value chain, as well as be able to dive into technical details of processes and systems. Are you a self‑starter who thrives in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment? Do you like problem‑solving? Are you excited by the prospect of making a real difference for our clients?

This is an outstanding opportunity to apply your background in engineering or operations and strong management consulting skills! You will have the opportunity to work with industry recognised leaders, broaden your consulting network while developing your professional and technical capabilities.

More specifically, you would

• Drive the design and execution of consulting engagements in operational risk management to help clients protect, extract, and create value in their assets, be outcome‑focused and ensure client requirements are not only met but exceeded. This includes: Work closely with senior executives to understand their business challenges, identify risk scenarios that impact their business goals and performance and link business performance to the organization’s operational risks.
• Work across the client’s business portfolio and value chain, while determining when and how to deep dive into technical operations on the process line or shop floor to better manage operational risks and enhance the client’s business value.
• Communicate and coordinate effectively across diverse client stakeholders, including the client business ecosystem.
• Identify proactively issues and risks in relation to the specific delivery activities and liaise with the wider project team to evaluate potential solutions and pursue the optimal course of actions to minimize adverse impact and maximize project success;
• Build and implement client solutions that fit client culture, business environment and improve client business performance.
• Lead operational risk management proposals and provide expertise as part of proposal development and support to other team members.
• Thought leader and creative thinker in operational risk management with the ability to create new risk methodologies and approaches.
• Play an active role in building the firm: Participate and contribute to functional and/or industry networks with the aim of developing and sharing best practices.
• Be a thought leader in operational risk management and help build firm capability; and
• Provide feedback and coaching to junior colleagues to support their development within dss+.

Who are you?

• To be successful in this position, you would bring the following qualifications: Strong knowledge and practical experience in application / facilitation of a wide range of risk analysis and risk management techniques.
• Knowledge and practical experience in business planning and developing risk scenarios based on business plans and operations.
• Broad understanding of operational risk management and how different management and operations elements are linked together.
• Ability to effectively deliver training and coaching sessions to senior executives to build/strengthen capabilities.
• Experience along the entire lifecycle of an asset, from concept, design/build, operations/maintenance, modification and asset retirement.
• Effective leadership skills to drive project execution in complex environments.
• Proven track record in relevant highly‑hazard/heavy manufacturing industries such oil & gas, petrochemical, chemical, metal processing, etc.

Qualifications / Requirements

• BS/BA in engineering or equivalent, MBA or MSc preferred, with a minimum of 15 years’ experience.
• Considered a Subject Matter Expert in Operational Risk Management with extensive experience in one or more of our core industries.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and team‑working attitude to work in fast‑paced, multi‑cultural and multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English.
• Ability to travel extensively (approximately 80% of the time).

Diversity and Inclusion

dss+ is committed to a diverse workforce and believes this is essential to strengthen our company and drive sustainable growth. We are committed and driving accountability for growing dss+ through diversity. Diversity is an indispensable part of our organisation's culture. The goal of our commitment to inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunity has not only become a competitive advantage for us but has attracted highly capable and talented employees to dss+.