Environment, Health and Safety Manager

We are seeking a high‑impact, field‑driven HSE Manager to lead safety performance in a complex, unionised port environment. This role is not a desk‑based compliance position — it requires a visible, confident leader who thrives on the ground, engages directly with the workforce, and sets uncompromising prevention standards across all operational areas.

If you are a seasoned HSE professional who commands respect in the yard, collaborates effectively with unions, and can stabilise and uplift safety culture in a high‑pressure operational environment, we want to meet you.

🔧 Key Responsibilities

• Lead visible, on‑the‑ground safety performance across yard, wharf, and operational sections.
• Set, communicate, and enforce prevention standards — define what “safe” looks like and hold the line.
• Exercise stop‑work authority confidently when unsafe conditions arise.
• Drive near‑miss and hazard reporting culture as the primary leading indicator.
• Engage directly with SATAWU and NUMSA shop stewards, building credibility through consistency and technical strength.
• Lead the OHS Committee and ensure meaningful worker participation in safety governance.
• Maintain inspection readiness and manage relationships with DoEL, TNPA, and other regulators.
• Build and maintain Hazard & Risk Registers, Legal Compliance Registers, and OHS Act appointments.
• Own the incident reporting and investigation system, including root‑cause analysis and COID compliance.
• Lead HSE technical response during emergencies, spills, releases, and workplace injuries.
• Maintain Training Needs Analysis, competency registers, and contractor safety compliance.
• Report monthly HSE performance to senior leadership and contribute to governance submissions.
• Progressively strengthen the HSE management system behind the field operation.

🎓 Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

• SAMTRAC or equivalent SAQA‑registered OHS qualification (NQF 5+).
• Minimum 5 years HSE leadership in port, stevedoring, heavy industrial, or logistics environments.
• Strong working knowledge of OHS Act 85/1993, Construction Regs, Driven Machinery Regs, COID Act, NEMA.
• Proven track record of field‑based safety leadership — visible, trusted, credible.
• Experience operating in unionised environments (SATAWU, NUMSA or equivalent).

P referred:

• SAIOSH membership.
• Experience in transition‑phase or post‑acquisition operations.
• ISO 45001:2018 internal auditor qualification.
• QHSE digital platform literacy (EXP Suite or similar).
• Understanding of port facility security and HSE–Security interface.

Who Thrives in This Role

• Leaders who are present in the field, not behind a desk.
• Professionals who balance technical authority with strong workforce engagement.
• Individuals who remain resilient under union, regulatory, and executive scrutiny.
• People who can stabilise operations while building compliance structure progressively.