Global Safety, Health & Environmental (SHE) Director (m/f/d) (Europa, DE)

We are NovaTaste - an independent and autonomous group of companies with headquarters in Salzburg, Austria and further locations in Europe, North America and Asia. We offer a wide range of ingredients - such as herbs, spices and active ingredients - for food manufacturers and the catering industry. With around 1,900 employees, we serve more than 16,000 customers worldwide. As an employee*, you can count on team spirit, flexibility, attractive career opportunities, international projects and numerous benefits.

Tasks

Strategic Planning and Program Development: 

• Design and implement a global SHE strategy that aligns with the company’s mission, values, and business objectives. 
• Develop policies, guidelines, and procedures that promote compliance with international, national, and local safety, health, and environmental regulations. 
• Lead continuous improvement efforts in SHE performance, including setting and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs). 

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management: 

• Ensure compliance with all applicable SHE regulations and standards, such as OSHA, EPA and other. 
• Oversee risk assessments, audits, and incident investigations to identify and mitigate potential safety, health, and environmental hazards. 
• Work with site SHE teams to adapt global standards to local regulatory requirements and practices. 

Training and Culture Development: 

• Lead initiatives to foster a strong culture of safety and environmental responsibility across all levels of the organization. 
• Develop and implement training programs to ensure employees are well-informed about SHE policies, safe work practices, and emergency response procedures. 
• Promote best practices for worker health, safety, and environmental stewardship, emphasizing sustainable practices within the food ingredient industry. 

Crisis and Emergency Response Management:

• Develop crisis and emergency response plans for handling SHE-related incidents, including environmental spills and workplace injuries. 
• Coordinate emergency drills and training sessions to ensure preparedness for Potential incidents. 
• Serve as the lead advisor to executive leadership during SHE-related crises, providing recommendations and updates. 

Cross-functional Collaboration: 

• Partner with operations, quality assurance, production, and ESG teams to integrate SHE standards into day-to-day operations and new projects. 
• Collaborate with the non-OPS organization to install a safety culture. 
• Work with supply chain and procurement to assess and manage SHE risks across the company’s suppliers and contractors. 

Sustainability Initiatives: 

• Develop and implement programs focused on reducing the company’s environmental impact, including waste management, water and energy usage, and greenhouse gas emissions. 
• Drive sustainable practices in line with global environmental standards, aiming for goals such as zero-waste, carbon neutrality, or reduced ecological footprint. 
• Report on the company’s sustainability efforts and progress to stakeholders, including annual OPS sustainability reports.  

Skills

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health, Environmental Science, Engineering, Food Science, or a related field
• Relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Safety Professional (CSP), ISO 14001 Lead Auditor) are advantageous. 

Experience: 

• 10+ years of progressive SHE experience, preferably within the food industry, manufacturing, or similar sectors. 
• Demonstrated experience managing global SHE programs, including direct leadership of regional SHE teams. 
• Familiarity with international SHE regulations, standards, and best practices relevant to the food industry. 

Skills: 

• Strong leadership, influencing, and communication skills, with the ability to drive cultural change across a global organization. 
• Analytical skills for conducting risk assessments, incident investigations, and KPI tracking.
• Proficiency in SHE management software, data analysis, and report preparation. 

Core Competencies: 

• Attention to Detail: Ensures meticulous adherence to safety, health, and environmental protocols. 
• Problem Solving: Capable of addressing complex SHE challenges proactively and finding sustainable solutions. 
• Decision-Making: Balances regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and company values in all SHE-related decisions. 
• Adaptability: Responds effectively to evolving regulatory landscapes and emerging SHE trends in the food industry. 
• Ethical Integrity: Upholds the highest ethical standards, particularly in matters of health, safety, and environmental impact. 

Benefits

• Compensation and benefits appropriate for a role at this level of seniority and matching the qualifications of the chosen candidate.

The minimum salary for this position is € 5.372,07 gross per month on a full-time basis (38.5 hours). A significant overpayment in line with your qualifications and experience is a matter of course for us.