Company Description

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees, we operate a network of more than 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

Job Description

The Health & Safety Country Manager provides strategic and operational leadership to drive a proactive, risk-based Health & Safety culture across the country, aligned with SGS global standards and business objectives.

The role is accountable for embedding effective risk management, strengthening operational discipline, and ensuring that Health & Safety is integrated into all business activities to support sustainable and safe growth.

Acting as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and leadership teams, the role influences decision-making and ensures strong governance, leadership accountability, and continuous improvement across all locations.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Provide strategic leadership by translating global and regional H&S strategy into a clear and actionable country roadmap aligned with business priorities.

• Drive a risk-based approach focusing on identification, assessment, and control of critical risks, ensuring effectiveness of controls rather than simple compliance.

• Lead the development of a strong safety culture, reinforcing leadership behaviors, accountability, and employee engagement across all levels of the organisation.

• Ensure robust incident reporting, investigation, and learning processes, with a focus on root cause analysis and prevention of recurrence.

• Build organisational capability through coaching, training, and development of H&S personnel and operational leaders.

• Ensure compliance with local regulations and SGS standards, and support integration of H&S into acquisitions, projects, and operational changes.

CORE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Risk Leadership – Anticipates, prioritizes, and manages critical risks using data-driven insights and proactive approaches.

• Influencing & Engagement – Builds trust, influences stakeholders at all levels, and integrates Health & Safety into business decision-making.

• Safety Culture Leadership – Drives behavioural change, ownership, and accountability, fostering a positive and proactive safety culture.

• Operational Excellence – Ensures consistent and effective implementation of the Health & Safety Management System with measurable performance outcomes.

• Team Leadership & Capability Building – Develops high-performing teams and builds capability through coaching, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

Qualifications

• Degree in Health & Safety or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in Health & Safety management, including corporate leadership roles in complex or multi-site environments.

• Professional certification (e.g. NEBOSH, ISO 45001 Lead Auditor) is preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to lead change, influence senior stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement.

• Experience in site and lab operations setup.