At O'Brien Fine Foods is an Irish family business based in Timahoe, Co. Kildare. First established in 2000, the business has expanded over the years to become the leading producer of cooked meats on the island of Ireland, with a growing presence in the UK. We employ over 700 people and specialise in the manufacture and marketing of premium meats, supplying both branded and private label ranges to retailers across Ireland and the UK from our three manufacturing sites in Timahoe Co. Kildare, Rathowen Co. Westmeath, and Leytonstone in London. Our branded portfolio includes Brady Family, a household name and Ireland's No. 1 cooked meats brand, Green Farm, Ireland's No 1 white meat brand and Bearfields of London, a traditional ham and gammon business in the UK.


Our purpose, which is to bring better quality food to everyone, every day, is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to being a more sustainable and responsible business and have recently achieved B Corp certification, set verified science-based carbon reduction targets and have obtained gold membership within Bord Bia's Origin Green programme.


We look for people who share our values and who have a genuine passion for learning. With a strong track record of growth, O'Brien Fine Foods provides you with a real opportunity to make a significant and personal impact on our success.


Job purpose
We are seeking an experienced and proactive Environment, Health and Safety Manager to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining health and safety policies and procedures across all sites. They will lead a team to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, promote a culture of safety awareness, and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the health and safety performance of the organisation. This role offers a competitive Salary with healthcare and Pension.


Duties and responsibilities
1. Develop and implement environmental , health and safety policies, procedures, and programs in alignment with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
2. Lead and manage a small team to ensure effective implementation of environmental and safety initiatives and compliance with company policies.
3. Conduct regular risk assessments and audits to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls to mitigate potential safety risks.
4. Provide guidance and support to site management teams on health and safety matters, including the investigation of incidents, near misses, and accidents.
5. Develop and deliver health and safety training programs for employees at all levels to raise awareness and promote a culture of safety excellence.
6. Monitor and analyse health and safety performance metrics to identify trends, areas for improvement, and opportunities for preventative action.
7. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate health and safety considerations into operational processes, equipment design, and facility layouts.
8. Stay current with emerging health and safety regulations, standards, and technologies to ensure compliance and drive continuous improvement.


Expectations, Competencies & Qualifications
Demonstrated commitment to promoting a positive safety culture and fostering a safe working environment.
Proactive and results-oriented with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
High level of integrity and ethical conduct with a commitment to upholding the highest standards of health and safety.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Environmental Science, Occupational Health and Safety, or a related field.
Professional certification in health and safety (e.g., NEBOSH, OSHA, IOSH) is highly desirable.
Minimum of 7 years of experience in health and safety management, preferably in a manufacturing or food processing environment in Ireland.
Proven track record of developing and implementing health and safety programs that resulted in improved safety performance.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to effectively manage and motivate a team.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact confidently with employees at all levels.
Sound knowledge of health and safety regulations, standards, and best practices.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment.
Analytical mindset with the ability to identify and assess risks and implement appropriate control measures.
Experience working across multiple geographies and managing health and safety programs in a multi-site environment is preferred.


Physical requirements
The position is based at our Kildare Production facility some travel may be required to our manufacturing sites across Ireland and the UK.