Alcott Global is retained to search for a Global Head of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) & Operational Risk for a Global Manufacturing Company. The role will be based in Germany.
About the Company
Our client is a leading global manufacturing company with a diverse international footprint across production sites, commercial operations, and regional offices. Operating across multiple markets, the organization is recognized for its commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and developing high-performing teams while maintaining the highest standards of safety and business performance.
As part of its ongoing commitment to creating a safe and resilient working environment, the company is seeking an experienced Global Head of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) & Operational Risk to lead the continued evolution of its worldwide HSE function.
Role Overview
The Global Head of HSE & Operational Risk will be responsible for providing strategic direction and governance for Health, Safety & Environment across the organisation's international operations.
Working closely with regional leadership teams, the successful candidate will strengthen enterprise-wide HSE performance, drive consistency across global operations, and ensure safety remains fully integrated into business planning, operational execution and long-term organisational growth.
The role requires a collaborative leader capable of influencing across a global matrix organisation while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and operational discipline.
Responsibilities
- Define and implement a forward-looking global HSE roadmap that supports business priorities while strengthening organisational resilience.
- Drive the harmonisation of HSE policies, governance processes and operational standards across multiple regions.
- Ensure effective oversight of compliance with applicable international, regional and local regulatory requirements.
- Promote proactive risk management through the identification, assessment and mitigation of operational hazards across manufacturing, engineering and service environments.
- Lead enterprise-wide initiatives that improve workplace safety performance and reinforce a positive reporting and learning culture.
- Establish robust governance for incident management, corrective actions and organisational learning to prevent recurrence.
- Partner with business leaders to integrate HSE considerations into operational planning, capital investment projects and business transformation initiatives.
- Develop meaningful performance metrics that enable leadership teams to monitor trends, evaluate effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
- Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership on emerging HSE risks, regulatory developments and industry best practices.
- Build and develop a high-performing global HSE organisation through leadership development, succession planning and capability building.
- Foster collaboration across Manufacturing, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Human Resources and Quality functions to embed HSE into everyday decision-making.
- Represent the organisation with external stakeholders including regulatory bodies, customers, certification organisations and industry forums where appropriate.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science or another relevant technical discipline.
- Significant experience leading Health, Safety & Environment within a multinational manufacturing, engineering or industrial organisation.
- Demonstrated success overseeing HSE across multiple countries and manufacturing locations within a complex global business.
- Strong understanding of internationally recognised HSE management systems and regulatory frameworks, including ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.
- Experience leading organisational change initiatives that improve HSE culture and operational performance.
- Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and build strong partnerships across regional and functional leadership teams.
- Sound knowledge of enterprise risk management, contractor safety, emergency preparedness and incident investigation methodologies.
- Experience supporting manufacturing operations, engineering projects and operational transformation programmes.
- Willingness to travel internationally as required.
Leadership Style
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- A collaborative leadership style that builds trust, credibility and strong cross-functional relationships.
- The ability to simplify complex challenges and translate strategy into practical execution.
- Strong judgment and confidence when making decisions in dynamic operational environments.
- A visible commitment to fostering an inclusive, accountable and safety-focused organisational culture.
- A pragmatic, solutions-oriented mindset with a passion for continuous improvement.
- The ability to inspire, develop and empower high-performing teams across different cultures and regions.
- Resilience, adaptability and the capability to lead effectively through organisational change.