To provide expert leadership, audit/ assurance, and analysis of all Health & Safety standards across our European capital project portfolio. The primary mission is two-fold: to rigorously audit and elevate safety standards to industry-leading levels, and to foster a deep-rooted, proactive safety culture specifically tailored to the high-risk manufacturing and construction environment. The appointment will act as a catalyst for change, ensuring every project team, contractor, and site operates under the principle of "Safety Above all else."
Over the past 18 months, DS Smith and developed and implemented a new Construction Health and Safety Standard and Procedure (the ’Manual’). The Manual provides project teams with the tools and processes needed to improve construction safety outcomes for construction projects.
The primary objective for the Role will be to own the Manual, drive compliance and continuously improve business efforts to improve safety outcomes. More specifically, the role includes:
• Understanding, implementing and continuously improving the DS Smith Construction Manual (the ’Manual’).
• Understanding the project pipeline to enable implementation planning.
• In addition to larger projects (e.g. >£500k), working with procurement and facilities management teams, develop plan for implementation of the Manual across small and medium size projects.
• Being a champion for the use of the Manual across the business.
• Developing a community of users and advocates across the business to build understand, increase compliance and improve overall outcomes
• Developing and implementing an assurance program for the Manual.
• Developing and implementing a training program for projects across the business. Key Responsibilities
Project Set Up:
*Ensure projects are adequately resourced to manage H&S through the project lifecycle and resources are incorporated into project budgets at an early stage.
*Working with procurement and project teams, ensure contractors are adequately assessed for competency in a timely manner
*Ensure safety activities are costed and incorporated in the project schedule
Audit & Analysis:
*Conduct comprehensive, risk-based H&S audits of live capital projects across Europe, from ground-breaking to commissioning.
*Analyse audit findings, incident data (LTIs, near misses), and contractor safety performance to identify systemic risks and trends.
*Benchmark our H&S standards and performance against industry best practices (e.g. ISO 45001, construction-specific standards).
*Develop a clear, prioritised action plan with measurable KPIs to close gaps and drive continuous improvement across the portfolio.
Cultural Development & Leadership:
*Act as a visible safety leader on site, engaging with project managers, contractors, and workforce to champion safe behaviours.
*Design and implement initiatives to build a strong, collective safety culture focused on construction risks (e.g. working at height, crane operations, excavation, energy isolation).
*Coach and mentor project leadership teams (both internal and contractor) on effective safety leadership and intervention techniques.
*Facilitate workshops and toolbox talks to promote safety ownership, speaking-up, and peer-to-peer accountability.
Strategic Development & Governance:
*Review and enhance the Capital Projects H&S Management System, ensuring it is pragmatic, robust, and integrated into project delivery processes.
*Develop and standardise key project safety documents: Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (PQQs), Tender Evaluation criteria, Contractor H&S Plans review protocols, and Project Mobilisation Checklists.
*Establish a clear governance framework for safety performance reporting to senior management and the project board.
Contractor Management & Collaboration:
*Raise the bar for contractor selection and management, ensuring safety performance is a key determinant in awarding work.
*Lead periodic contractor safety forums to share learnings, align expectations, and promote a partnership approach to risk management.
*Partner with procurement to develop supplier on-boarding and selection processes that support building a supply chain of contractors that meet best in class health and safety standards
Essential Experience & Qualifications
*NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent European Master’s level H&S qualification) is essential. Chartered Member of IOSH (or equivalent European body) is highly desirable.
*A minimum of 10 years’ experience in Health & Safety, with at least 7 years focused specifically on major capital projects and construction within heavy industry, particularly manufacturing.
*Proven track record of conducting high-impact safety audits and developing strategic improvement plans in a multi-site, multi-contractor environment.
*Demonstrable experience in successfully influencing and building a proactive safety culture on large, complex projects.
*Expert knowledge of EU Construction Safety Directives and country-specific implementation (e.g. UK CDM Regulations, German BaustellV, etc.).
*Fluent in English and, ideally, proficiency in another European language (e.g. German, French, Italian) is a strong advantage.
*Willing and able to travel up to 60-70% of the time across Europe.