SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees, we operate a network of more than 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.
Job Description
The Health & Safety Country Manager provides strategic and operational leadership to drive a proactive, risk-based Health & Safety culture across the country, aligned with SGS global standards and business objectives.
The role is accountable for embedding effective risk management, strengthening operational discipline, and ensuring that Health & Safety is integrated into all business activities to support sustainable and safe growth.
Acting as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and leadership teams, the role influences decision-making and ensures strong governance, leadership accountability, and continuous improvement across all locations.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Provide strategic leadership by translating global and regional H&S strategy into a clear and actionable country roadmap aligned with business priorities.
- Drive a risk-based approach focusing on identification, assessment, and control of critical risks, ensuring effectiveness of controls rather than simple compliance.
- Lead the development of a strong safety culture, reinforcing leadership behaviours, accountability, and employee engagement across all levels of the organisation.
- Ensure robust incident reporting, investigation, and learning processes, with a focus on root cause analysis and prevention of recurrence.
- Build organisational capability through coaching, training, and development of H&S personnel and operational leaders.
- Ensure compliance with local regulations and SGS standards, and support integration of H&S into acquisitions, projects, and operational changes.
CORE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
- Strategic Risk Leadership – Anticipates, prioritises, and manages critical risks using data-driven insights and proactive approaches.
- Influencing & Engagement – Builds trust, influences stakeholders at all levels, and integrates Health & Safety into business decision-making.
- Safety Culture Leadership – Drives behavioural change, ownership, and accountability, fostering a positive and proactive safety culture.
- Operational Excellence – Ensures consistent and effective implementation of the Health & Safety Management System with measurable performance outcomes.
- Team Leadership & Capability Building – Develops high-performing teams and builds capability through coaching, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
Qualifications
- Degree in Health & Safety or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
- Minimum of 10 years experience in Health & Safety management, including leadership roles in complex or multi-site environments.
- Professional certification (e.g. NEBOSH, ISO 45001 Lead Auditor) is preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to lead change, influence senior stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement.
Additional Information
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
- Implementation and effectiveness of critical risk controls.
- Trends in incident frequency, severity, and prevention indicators.
- Completion of audits and closure of corrective actions.
- Leadership engagement and participation in H&S programmes.
- Delivery of training and competency development plans.
