Head Of Health And Safety

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Location

Harris Group (Dublin), with oversight across Harris Group operations as required

Reporting To

Group Managing Director / Senior Leadership Team

Role Purpose

The Head of Health & Safety will provide strategic and operational leadership for Health, Safety and Wellbeing across Harris Group (Dublin and UK). The role is responsible for establishing a robust, compliant and sustainable H&S management system, closing out repeat and high‑risk audit findings, embedding a strong safety culture, and leading the business through ISO-aligned Health & Safety management system implementation.

This role moves the organisation from site‑led compliance to group‑wide best practice and assurance.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership, Governance & Culture

· Act as the senior competent person for Health & Safety under Irish and UK legislation.

· Chair and establish a formal Health & Safety Committee, ensuring regular meetings, documented actions, and workforce engagement.

· Provide clear leadership to site H&S resources and departmental managers, setting standards and expectations.

· Promote a proactive safety culture, increasing near‑miss reporting, quality investigations, and visible management ownership.

2. Audit Close‑Out & Risk Reduction

· Own and drive closure of repeat and high‑risk audit findings, including (but not limited to):

o Electrical fixed wire testing and PAT testing

o Preventative maintenance systems

o Training gaps (vehicle lifts, working at height, roadside assistance, IVR, FLT, fire wardens, banksmen)

o Statutory inspection visibility and defect closure

· Implement clear tracking, escalation and verification processes for corrective actions.

3. Management Systems & ISO Implementation

· Lead the design, implementation and ongoing management of an ISO‑aligned Health & Safety Management System (e.g. ISO 45001).

· Ensure policies, risk assessments, SOPs, permits to work and records are consistent, controlled, and auditable.

· Integrate H&S systems with operational, HR and maintenance processes.

· Prepare the business for external audits and certification readiness.

4. Risk Assessment, SOPs & Safe Systems of Work

· Review and enhance existing Risk Assessments and SOPs, ensuring they are task‑specific, current and effectively communicated.

· Introduce missing assessments and controls (e.g. young workers, overhead crane use, asbestos survey oversight).

· Ensure effective permit‑to‑work systems for high‑risk activities such as working at height, electrical work and contractor activities.

5. Training, Competence & Assurance

· Develop and maintain a comprehensive Training Needs Analysis and Training Matrix, clearly identifying required, completed and planned training.

· Ensure role‑based competence for all safety‑critical activities (workshop, warehouse, PDI, roadside assistance).

· Oversee induction, refresher training, toolbox talks and specialist external training provision.

6. Incident Management & Performance Monitoring

· Ensure all accidents, incidents and near misses are properly investigated using root cause analysis techniques (e.g. 5 Whys).

· Monitor H&S KPIs, trends and leading indicators, reporting performance to senior leadership.

· Drive continuous improvement based on data, audits and workforce feedback.

7. Contractor & Visitor Safety

· Strengthen contractor management systems, including RAMS, competence checks and permit controls.

· Ensure visitor and driver safety arrangements are consistently applied and enforced across site operations.

Key Relationships

· Group Managing Director & Senior Leadership Team

· Site Management (Workshop, Warehouse, PDI, Roadside Assistance)

· HR, Facilities and Maintenance Teams

· External Consultants, Auditors and Regulators

Person Specification

Essential

· Degree or postgraduate qualification in Occupational Health & Safety or related discipline

· Chartered or Graduate Member of IOSH (CMIOSH / GradIOSH) or equivalent

· Proven senior H&S leadership experience in a high‑risk operational environment (transport, logistics, engineering, automotive or similar)

· Strong working knowledge of Irish H&S legislation and regulatory expectations

· Demonstrable experience closing audit findings and implementing management systems

Desirable

· Experience leading ISO 45001 (or OHSAS 18001) implementation

· Experience operating across multi‑site or group environments

· Fire Safety, Electrical Safety or Contractor Management specialism

Key Measures of Success

· Reduction and elimination of repeat audit findings

· Full compliance with statutory inspection and testing regimes

· Improved training coverage and competence assurance

· Successful ISO‑aligned system implementation and audit readiness

· Visible improvement in safety culture and workforce engagement

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Company pension
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person