About the role
We have a fabulous new opportunity for a seasoned safety leader to join our team as Health & Safety Manager EMEA (Construction). This is a mission-critical role within our European project portfolio, focused on elevating standards and embedding a "Safety Above All Else" culture across high-risk manufacturing and construction environments.
The successful candidate will be the catalyst for change—moving beyond basic compliance to drive industry-leading safety outcomes. You will provide the expert leadership, audit, and assurance required to ensure every project team, contractor, and site operates with rigorous safety discipline.
Key responsibilities include:
- Standard Ownership: Own, implement, and continuously improve the DS Smith Construction Manual; develop comprehensive training and assurance programs for projects of all scales
- Audit & Trend Analysis: Conduct risk-based audits of live European projects; analyze incident data and contractor performance to identify systemic risks and develop measurable KPI action plans
- Cultural Leadership: Act as a visible safety leader on‑site; coach project leadership and facilitate workshops to foster peer‑to‑peer accountability and proactive safety behaviours
- Strategic Governance: Enhance the H&S Management System; standardize PQQs, tender evaluations, and reporting frameworks to integrate safety into the entire project lifecycle
- Contractor Management: Partner with Procurement to raise selection standards; lead contractor forums to align expectations and build a best‑in‑class supply chain
- Project Integration: Ensure H&S resources and safety‑critical activities are adequately costed, scheduled, and budgeted from the earliest stages of project setup
About you
- Demonstrable experience in Health & Safety, with a significant amount focused on large-scale capital projects and construction (ideally in manufacturing)
- Experience in working across multiple jurisdictions within Europe either in supervising safety activities on construction sites or in assuring construction safety against country or corporate standards
- NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent European H&S qualification) is essential. Chartered Member of IOSH (or equivalent European body) is highly desirable
- Knowledge of EU Construction Safety Directives (92/57/EEC) and specific implementations is desirable i.e. UK CDM or German BaustellV
- Proven ability to influence culture and drive high-impact safety improvements across complex, multi-site, and multi-contractor environments
- Fluent in English; additional European languages (German, French, or Italian) are a plus
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Car allowance
- Discretionary bonus
- Private Medical Insurance
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee Discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
Location
This is a hybrid role, with approx. 50-60% travel within UK & EMEA, and regular travel to our London (Paddington) office.
About us
We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world‑leading organisation and do your best work with us!
Fair recruitment at DS Smith
To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.
Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas, and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.
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