A rare opportunity to make your mark as the National Health & Safety Manager for a market-leading New Zealand organisation operating in complex, highly regulated environments.

The Company
We’re proud to be partnering with a market-leading New Zealand provider of hygiene, environmental and specialist waste management services that support critical healthcare, infrastructure and commercial sectors nationwide. With operations spanning biosecurity, logistics and highly regulated service environments, the organisation plays an essential role in protecting people, communities and businesses across New Zealand.

With a strong national presence, a reputation for operational excellence and a leadership team committed to continuous improvement, the business is investing in the future of Health & Safety. Following the departure of a long-serving incumbent, this is an opportunity to bring fresh perspective, strengthen capability across the organisation and help redefine what great Health & Safety looks like for the future.

The Role
Reporting to the Director of Operations, you’ll lead Health & Safety across a multi-site national operation spanning Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

This is a role that combines strategic influence with hands-on delivery. You’ll work closely with leaders across the business to strengthen capability, enhance systems and processes, and ensure Health & Safety remains practical, effective and embedded in day-to-day operations.

The person who will thrive in this role is someone who builds credibility through action, influences through relationships and enjoys being visible in the business rather than operating from behind a desk.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the organisation’s national Health & Safety strategy
• Partner with operational leaders to strengthen ownership, accountability and capability across all areas of the business
• Review, enhance and modernise Health & Safety systems, policies and programmes to support operational excellence and compliance
• Ensure ongoing compliance with legislative requirements, industry standards and external audit obligations
• Provide expert guidance on risk management, hazard identification and critical incident prevention
• Lead incident investigations and ensure meaningful corrective actions are implemented and embedded across the business
• Utilise data, reporting and insights to identify trends, inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement
• Maintain a strong presence across sites, building relationships, coaching leaders and supporting practical safety outcomes

What You’ll Bring

• Demonstrated success in a senior Health & Safety leadership role within a complex, high-risk operational environment
• Experience working across industries such as logistics, transport, warehousing, manufacturing, industrial services, waste, hazardous substances, utilities or similar sectors
• Strong working knowledge of New Zealand Health & Safety legislation and regulatory frameworks
• A proven ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels, from frontline teams through to executive leadership and boards
• Experience managing regulatory audits, compliance programmes and external stakeholder relationships
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance operational realities with best-practice safety outcomes
• Excellent investigation, risk management and problem-solving capability
• Confidence operating within a lean environment, balancing strategic oversight with hands-on execution
• Strong analytical capability, including reporting, performance measurement and continuous improvement initiatives
• Experience with SafetyCulture would be advantageous

Why Join?

• Take ownership of a nationally significant Health & Safety function with the mandate to shape its future direction
• Work alongside a leadership team that values Health & Safety and is committed to investing in continuous improvement
• National exposure across diverse operations, sites and stakeholders

If you bring a practical approach and a genuine commitment to creating safer workplaces, this is an opportunity to make your mark!

We’re looking for someone who doesn’t simply manage Health & Safety, but champions it; earning trust, building credibility and driving meaningful change across every level of the organisation. If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you – apply now.

To be considered for this opportunity, you must be Auckland-based and hold New Zealand citizenship, permanent residency, or a valid visa that grants you the right to work in New Zealand.