SHERQ And Sustainability Manager

Vector Logistics; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

Vector Logistics seeks a SHERQ & ESG leader to drive compliance, risk management and sustainability programmes across its network. You will standardise systems, mentor teams and coordinate audits to maintain ISO 14001 / 45001 and FSSC 22000 across multiple sites.

Join a team focused on ESG integration, stakeholder engagement, training and continuous improvement, delivering safe, compliant operations within a temperature-controlled distribution network.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or BTech degree in Safety, Quality, Science, Eng or Environmental Management.
• 5+ years in supply chain, distribution, plant or FMCG environments, with at least 3 years in a SHERQ management role.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and FSSC 22000.
• Experience leading audits, compliance programmes and sustainability reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead compliance, risk management and governance across SHERQ and ESG domains.
• Plan and oversee audits, certification activities and corrective actions.
• Drive standardisation and continuous improvement of SHERQ and ESG systems.
• Support ESG strategy, reporting and stakeholder engagement across regions.

Job description

Overview

We are a Supply Chain and Sales & Merchandising partner adding value to your business through a fully integrated, temperature-controlled network in Southern Africa.

Permanent

Peninsula

Overview

We are a Supply Chain and Sales & Merchandising partner adding value to your business through a fully integrated, temperature-controlled network in Southern Africa.

But we are also more than that. We are people serving people. While we boast the best in tech and infrastructure, our people are our greatest resource. With our skilled, curious, can-do people at the forefront, our assets become your assets, our service your solutions.

Vector's vehicle fleet includes a food industry first in 'multi-temperature' vehicles enabling the company to service business across frozen, chilled and ambient temperature zones on a single delivery.

Job Purpose

To lead and manage SHERQ and sustainability operations, ensuring legal compliance, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement. The role is responsible for standardising systems and procedures, maintaining certifications (ISO 14001, ISO 45001, FSSC 22000), driving ESG strategy and supporting operational excellence through audits, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven decision-making. It also plays a key role in coaching teams, managing change, and aligning SHERQ and ESG practices with strategic business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Compliance & Risk Management

Lead statutory inspections and ensure alignment with OHS, Environmental, R638, Marsh, AON, and other regulatory standards. Ensure legal registers are maintained and current across all sites. Review and improve fire safety and emergency preparedness procedures. Support sites in preparing for external risk audits (e.g., Marsh) and drive audit readiness programmes. Provide input on legal compliance and internal controls to mitigate operational and SHERQ risks. Monitor forthcoming and proposed legislative changes and drive their implementation. Ensure SHERQ and ESG compliance extends to VTM and office environments.

Audit & Certification

Plan and oversee ISO, legal, and risk audits nationally (ISO 14001, ISO 45001, FSSC 22000). Monitor SHERQ audit performance and integrate audits for efficiency. Support sites in retaining existing certifications and attaining new ones. Conduct site audits to identify non-conformances and ensure effective closure. Evaluate management system effectiveness, verify corrective actions prevent recurrence, and implement shared audit learnings across regions and sites.

Standardisation & Continuous Improvement

Drive standardisation of SHERQ and ESG systems, procedures, and documentation across all regions. Lead Centre of Excellence initiatives to embed consistent practices and toolkits. Monitor SHERQ operational trends and implement forward-thinking improvements. Drive SHERQ and ESG projects (e.g., site mergers, upgrades, software implementation). Benchmark best practices and define criteria and methods to assess the effectiveness of operational processes and controls.

ESG Strategy And Reporting

Support the execution of Vector’s ESG strategy, including project tracking and reporting. Develop, communicate and monitor SHERQ and ESG performance indicators, and elevate adverse trends and concerns to the SHERQ Executive. Identify opportunities and threats and involve management in implementing response plans.

Stakeholder Engagement & Support

Engage with customers, principals, and service providers to resolve complaints, recalls, and investigations. Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Risk, PBCS, VTM, and SHERQ teams to meet strategic goals. Advise and support teams on new and existing SHERQ legislation and standards. Attend meetings and represent SHERQ in customer and principal engagements.

Training & Capability Building

Coach and mentor SHERQ teams in delivering ESG and SHERQ support. Facilitate training on statutory compliance, safety, food safety, and environmental standards. Promote a culture of safety, sustainability, and accountability across the network.

Systems & Documentation

Ensure documentation systems are current, practical, and user-friendly. Maintain internal and external audit schedules. Ensure timely and complete submission of all required reports. Validate report accuracy and ensure identified improvement opportunities are addressed.

Key Relationships

Internal

High degree of interaction for the purpose of strategy, compliance, training and collaboration.

Exrernal

Moderate to high degree of interaction for the purpose of issue resolution, audits relationship management

Auditors

High degree of interaction for the purpose of compliance, certification and inspections.

Qualifications And Experience

Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required for the Job

Education

Bachelor’s or BTech degree in Safety, Quality, Science, Eng or Environmental Management.

Experience

> 5 years in supply chain, distribution, plant or FMCG environments, with at least 3 years in a SHERQ management role. Proven experience managing multiple large-scale sites or regions, leading audits, compliance programmes, and working knowledge sustainability reporting.

Knowledge

Strong understanding of ISO standards (ISO 14001, ISO 45001, FSSC 22000) and SHERQ frameworks. Familiarity with statutory and regulatory requirements (e.g., R638, ZA) related to health, safety, environment, and food safety. Working knowledge of ESG and sustainability reporting frameworks (e.g., GHG Protocol, Scope 1-3, carbon, waste, energy, and water metrics). In-depth knowledge of supply chain operations, warehousing, and customer requirements. Lead auditor experience across ISO, food safety, environmental, health & safety, and ESG domains.

Valid Code 8 drivers' licence

Skills And Competencies

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

In-depth knowledge of OHS Act, Environmental legislation, R638, and food safety regulations. Familiarity with insurance and risk standards (e.g., Marsh, AON). Ability to interpret and apply legal requirements across multiple sites. Risk assessment and mitigation planning. Fire safety and emergency preparedness expertise.

Audit & Certification Management

ISO standards expertise (ISO 14001, ISO 45001, FSSC 22000). Internal and external audit planning and execution. Non-conformance identification and corrective action management. Certification maintenance and improvement.

SHERQ & ESG Systems Standardisation

Process mapping and documentation standardisation. ESG and SHERQ systems integration. Project management for system upgrades and site transitions. Data-driven continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).

ESG Strategy & Reporting

ESG framework understanding (e.g., GHG Protocol, SDGs). KPI performance monitoring.

Systems & Documentation

Document control and versioning. Audit scheduling and tracking. Report writing and submission protocols. Familiarity with SHERQ/ESG software platforms.

Stakeholder Engagement

Customer and principal relationship management. Conflict resolution and complaint handling. Cross-functional collaboration and influence. Professional representation in external forums.

Training & Capability Building

Coaching and mentoring skills. Facilitation of technical and compliance training. Change management and culture-building. Communication of complex regulatory concepts in simple terms.

Strategic Thinking

Ability to align SHERQ and ESG initiatives with business strategy. Forward-looking risk and compliance planning. Innovation in sustainability and safety practices.

Execution & Accountability

Ownership of national programmes and audits. Delivery of results under pressure. Prioritisation and time management across multiple sites.

Influence & Advocacy

Championing safety and sustainability culture. Driving adoption of standards and systems. Advocating for SHERQ and ESG priorities at executive level.

Vector Logistics supports the principles of Employment Equity and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Preference will be given to candidates from designated groups in line with our Employment Equity Plan.