Health and Safety Manager

About the Role

Dawn Meats, a leading premium meat processor established in 1980, serves top supermarket, foodservice, and restaurant clients. With over 9,000 employees across 13 countries and annual revenues exceeding 94.5 billion, Dawn Meats exports to more than 70 countries worldwide.

The Health and Safety Manager will be stationed at the Kildare town facility and will take charge of enforcing thorough compliance with health and safety laws and organizational standards within meat processing and cold storage operations. This role emphasizes leadership, governance, and ongoing enhancement of safety processes in a demanding manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure full adherence to Irish health and safety laws, group policies, and customer expectations.
• Design, implement, and refine site safety systems, including policies, procedures, and standard operating protocols.
• Lead investigations into accidents, incidents, and near misses; manage reporting to the Health and Safety Authority, insurers, and internal records; verify completion of corrective actions.
• Oversee management of unsafe behaviors and conditions, drive continuous improvements using Kaizen principles, and analyze trend reports.
• Serve as the principal site liaison for inspections by the HSA, insurance entities, and customer ethical audits.
• Administer safety training programs, inductions, contractor management, permits to work, and maintain competency documentation.
• Supervise emergency readiness activities, including fire safety, ammonia alarm systems, drills, and emergency response teams.
• Chair safety meetings, monitor safety performance metrics, and promote continuous safety advancement efforts.
• Manage the Health & Safety Supervisor and mentor management along with operational staff in safety best practices.

Qualifications and Skills

• Demonstrated strong leadership and ability to positively influence and challenge unsafe behaviors.
• Exceptional skills in investigation, analytical thinking, and problem resolution.
• Meticulous attention to detail coupled with excellent organizational capabilities.
• Proficient in coaching and fostering safety-conscious behavior among teams.
• Experience in high-risk manufacturing environments, preferably within meat processing or cold storage sectors.
• Recognized certification in Occupational Health and Safety such as NEBOSH, IOSH, or QQI Level 6 or higher.
• Verified track record overseeing health and safety in industrial settings with significant hazards.
• In-depth knowledge of Irish health and safety legislation.