Cape Town: Health & Safety Officer – Manufacturing posted by K2 Recruit

The Company operates within a dynamic manufacturing environment focused on delivering high-quality products efficiently, safely, and in compliance with industry standards.

The organisation is committed to operational excellence, continuous improvement, and the wellbeing of its employees. A strong emphasis is placed on maintaining safe production environments, responsible operational practices, and a proactive culture that prioritises health, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Through disciplined processes and collaborative teamwork, the Company ensures that manufacturing operations meet high standards of efficiency, quality, and safety.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Manufacturing Department is responsible for converting raw and packaging materials into finished products. The department oversees inbound logistics, receiving and storage, production planning and execution, and compliance with health and safety standards.

Its core objective is to ensure efficient, safe, and cost-effective production while delivering high-quality products on time to fulfil operational requirements.

Department Key Result Areas

• Deliver production plans on time, in full, and at the required quality
• Manage inbound logistics and storage of raw and packaging materials
• Maintain cost-efficient production processes with high yield and minimal waste
• Ensure full compliance with ISO 45001 and occupational health and safety requirements
• Drive continuous improvement in manufacturing capacity and operational efficiency
• Develop and support manufacturing teams to achieve operational excellence

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Company is seeking a Health and Safety Officer Manufacturing to ensure a safe, healthy, and compliant working environment across all production operations.

This role is responsible for implementing, monitoring, and continuously improving health and safety standards, procedures, and systems. The successful candidate will play a key role in promoting a proactive safety culture, ensuring compliance with regulatory and company requirements, and preventing incidents through risk identification, training, and corrective action.

The position works closely with operational leaders to ensure safety practices are embedded within daily manufacturing activities and that the workplace maintains high standards of safety compliance and operational discipline.

QUALIFICATIONS

• National Diploma or Degree in Safety Management, Environmental Health, or a related field

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 3 years experience in occupational health and safety
• Experience within a manufacturing or production environment
• Proven exposure to safety systems and compliance within operational environments

KNOWLEDGE & TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Strong understanding of ISO 45001
• Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act)
• Experience in risk management and incident investigation
• Understanding of safety systems within manufacturing operations
• Experience conducting audits, inspections, and safety training

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Compliance & Standards

• Ensure implementation and compliance with all safety legislation, ISO 45001, and company standards
• Conduct regular site safety audits, inspections, and risk assessments
• Monitor corrective actions and maintain audit readiness

Key Performance Indicators

• 100% compliance with OHS and ISO 45001 standards
• Zero overdue corrective safety actions

Risk & Incident Management

• Facilitate incident investigations and root cause analysis
• Maintain updated risk registers and preventative controls
• Work with department heads to resolve identified safety risks

Key Performance Indicators

• All incidents investigated and closed within defined SLA
• Risk register updated quarterly

Training & Safety Culture

• Conduct and track health and safety training and employee inductions
• Lead toolbox talks and safety awareness sessions
• Encourage employee participation in proactive safety initiatives

Key Performance Indicators

• Minimum two toolbox talks per operational area per month
• 100% training compliance across shifts

Emergency & Crisis Preparedness

• Maintain emergency procedures and safety equipment readiness
• Coordinate fire drills, evacuation simulations, and emergency response training

Key Performance Indicators

• 100% of planned emergency drills completed and reviewed
• All emergency equipment fully functional and regularly inspected

Reporting & Documentation

• Compile safety reports, KPI dashboards, and statutory submissions
• Maintain comprehensive audit-ready health and safety documentation

Key Performance Indicators

• 100% of safety reports submitted on time
• No documentation non-conformances during audits

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement safety improvements and initiatives
• Support Lean and Kaizen projects from a safety perspective

Key Performance Indicators

• Minimum two safety improvement initiatives implemented per quarter
• Year-on-year reduction in lost-time incidents

CORE SKILLS

• Strong risk management and safety compliance knowledge
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong training and communication capability
• Ability to conduct root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Strong stakeholder influence and collaboration skills
• Experience in emergency preparedness and crisis response

Important Competencies

• Analytical problem solving and insight
• Strong teamwork and collaboration
• Relationship-building across operational teams
• Practical implementation of safety initiatives
• Openness to feedback and continuous improvement
• Effective planning and task management

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

Process Transactor
Executes clearly defined safety processes and procedures with accountability for quality and timeliness.

Coach
Guides and mentors employees to improve safety awareness and behaviour.

Professional
Applies structured frameworks and technical expertise to assess risks and implement safety controls.