The ideal candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) vision and strategy across all nine of our trading divisions, including those operating in other African countries. This role is critical in fostering a strong OHS culture and ensuring a safe, compliant work environment.
Conduct sessions to create awareness Conducting Workplace Inspections
-Develop and implement processes to ensure that all divisions and African operations are equipped with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) tools and equipment that are properly maintained and fully compliant with relevant OHS regulations.
-Ensure that OHS representatives across all divisions and countries conduct regular inspections to uphold health and safety standards.
-Lead the organization in identifying emerging OHS risks and trends and implement effective control measures to mitigate or manage these risks to acceptable levels.
Conduct sessions to create awareness
-Lead the training of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Representatives by ensuring comprehensive understanding of safety regulations and protocols and facilitate regular meetings to maintain alignment and accountability.
-Design, implement, and routinely test emergency response and evacuation plans, for all divisions (SA and abroad) to ensure awareness and compliance with safety standards.
-Conduct regular reviews of risk assessments and control measures to evaluate their effectiveness, address emerging risks, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Advice the company on Compliant and relevant regulations
- Analyse Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) data to compile comprehensive qualitative and quantitative reports for Executive Committee (Exco) and Board-level review, covering all divisions.
- Establish and maintain a knowledge-sharing platform to enhance OHS awareness across all divisions and African operations. This includes facilitating or coordinating training for relevant staff and representatives on statutory OHS requirements.
- Lead monthly Health and Safety Committee meetings, ensuring effective representation and collaboration between management and OHS representatives from all divisions.
Lead Investigations on Safety Incidents
- Oversee, support, and provide guidance on all major incident investigations across divisions.
- Ensure the timely implementation of corrective actions and verify that all supporting evidence is accurately documented and updated in the system prior to case closure.
Drive the implementation of Health and Safety Polices
- Drive the implementation of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards and policies across all divisions and African operations, and regularly review their effectiveness to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.
- Lead transformational initiatives to embed a culture of safety, encouraging all divisions and associates to take ownership of OHS practices and integrate them into daily operations.
- Manage OHS-related special projects and conduct regular internal audits in collaboration with divisional and store representatives to monitor compliance and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Perform internal audits and management reviews to ensure that the strategic objectives are achieved while reducing business risks and compliance to all legal, and client requirements
Monitor Safety performance & Reporting
- Present reports on major Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) investigation findings—including those from trading divisions—to relevant stakeholders, providing clear and actionable recommendations to drive continuous improvement in health and safety practices.
- Partner with external health and safety service providers during audits and investigations to ensure full compliance, transparency, and alignment with regulatory requirements.
- Partner with relevant stakeholders to design and implement a centralized Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) dashboard that consolidates incident data across all divisions, enabling improved visibility, reporting, and data-driven decision-making.
Champion Health and Safety across the Group
- Serve as the primary liaison with law enforcement and emergency services when required, ensuring effective coordination and communication during incidents or critical situations.
- Research and benchmark global and regional best practices to develop and implement tailored Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) strategies for our African operations, ensuring alignment with local regulatory requirements and international standards
A minimum of a a National Diploma or Degree in Safety or a related field
Relevant qualification in Occupational Health and Safety (e.g., NEBOSH, SAMTRAC or equivalent).
5 - 10 years’ experience as a Senior Health and Safety Officer/ Specialist
Experience with practising OHS within large organisations
In depth knowledge of South African health and safety legislation and OHS best practice.
Detailed knowledge health and safety standards and legislation of other African countries (Botswana, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia)
Ability to influence and persuade stakeholders at different levels - transfer of complex/complicated information or persuasion of individual people inside or outside of the organisation
Ability partner with all nine trading divisions within the Group – including those in other African countries.
Flexibility to travel to other African countries
