This privately owned, family-run manufacturing group is a market leader in Australia, employing approximately 700 people across Australia and New Zealand. With multiple production sites and sales offices across ANZ, the business services major brands within food & beverage, consumer goods, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors.
Headquartered in Somerton, the organisation operates predominantly in a blue-collar, multi-shift environment and has built its reputation on quality, long-standing customer partnerships and strong employee loyalty. With continued growth through acquisitions, asset investment and site consolidations, the business is now focused on strengthening and modernising its safety governance and systems to support its next phase of growth.
The Benefits
- Permanent, full-time opportunity
- Genuine scope to influence safety maturity across ANZ
- High visibility role partnering directly with General Managers and senior leaders
- Onsite parking and supportive, down-to-earth culture
- Opportunity to shape systems, reporting and injury prevention frameworks
Reporting to the Head of People & Culture, this is a hands-on Group WHS Manager / Business Partner role responsible for leading and embedding a strong, safety-first culture across manufacturing and supply chain operations.
This is not a desk-based compliance role. The successful candidate will be highly visible across sites, proactively engaging with leaders and frontline teams, investigating incidents, identifying risks and driving practical improvements.
You will play a key role in creating consistency and alignment across multiple sites, elevating safety systems, strengthening injury prevention and ensuring full compliance with WHS legislation across Australia (and ideally New Zealand).
The role is based in Somerton, with regular site travel across Victoria, periodic interstate travel and occasional New Zealand travel as required.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure all sites operate in full compliance with WHS legislation, codes of practice and regulatory requirements
- Lead and embed consistent WHS policies, systems and procedures across the group
- Provide expert advice and coaching to leaders at all levels to improve risk management practices
- Conduct site audits, inspections and risk assessments, building capability within local leaders
- Investigate incidents, near misses and hazards in a timely and practical manner
- Develop and implement WHS plans and Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) for high-risk or capital projects
- Support capital projects with WHS requirements including traffic management, security, signage and fire systems
- Oversee injury management, return-to-work programs and workers compensation claims
- Partner with insurers, rehabilitation providers and regulators to ensure effective case management
- Identify injury trends and implement proactive prevention initiatives (including ergonomics and psychosocial risk)
- Develop and deliver safety training, toolbox talks and induction programs
- Use data and insights to improve reporting, track trends and uplift governance capability
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships
You are an experienced HSE/WHS leader with a strong background in manufacturing, operations or supply chain environments. You bring both technical expertise and practical credibility on the floor.
You are comfortable working in blue-collar, multi-shift environments and know how to influence without disrupting operations. You are visible, approachable and solutions-focused.
You will demonstrate:
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior HSE/WHS role within manufacturing or operations
- Tertiary qualifications in Work Health & Safety, Environmental Science or related discipline
- Strong knowledge of Australian WHS legislation (NZ exposure highly regarded)
- Proven injury management and return-to-work experience
- Confidence engaging with General Managers, Production Managers and Safety Committees
- A hands-on, pragmatic leadership style
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
How to apply
Apply via the link with your updated resume. For a confidential discussion, contact Rebecca Aparo on 0457 721 149 or raparo@sharpandcarter.com.au.
