Head of Health & Safety

Job Purpose

The Head of Health & Safety will provide strategic and operational leadership for Health, Safety and Wellbeing across Harris Group (Dublin and UK). The role is responsible for establishing a robust, compliant and sustainable H&S management system, closing out repeat and high‑risk audit findings, embedding a strong safety culture, and leading the business through ISO-aligned Health & Safety management system implementation.

This role moves the organisation from site‑led compliance to group‑wide best practice and assurance.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership, Governance & Culture

Act as the senior competent person for Health & Safety under Irish and UK legislation.

Chair and establish a formal Health & Safety Committee, ensuring regular meetings, documented actions, and workforce engagement.

Provide clear leadership to site H&S resources and departmental managers, setting standards and expectations.

Promote a proactive safety culture, increasing near‑miss reporting, quality investigations, and visible management ownership.

2. Audit Close‑Out & Risk Reduction

Own and drive closure of repeat and high‑risk audit findings, including (but not limited to):

Electrical fixed wire testing and PAT testing

Preventative maintenance systems

Training gaps (vehicle lifts, working at height, roadside assistance, IVR, FLT, fire wardens, banksmen)

Statutory inspection visibility and defect closure

Implement clear tracking, escalation and verification processes for corrective actions.

3.Management Systems & ISO Implementation

Lead the design, implementation and ongoing management of an ISO‑aligned Health & Safety Management System (e.g. ISO 45001).

Ensure policies, risk assessments, SOPs, permits to work and records are consistent, controlled, and auditable.

Integrate H&S systems with operational, HR and maintenance processes.

Prepare the business for external audits and certification readiness.

4. Risk Assessment, SOPs & Safe Systems of Work

Review and enhance existing Risk Assessments and SOPs, ensuring they are task‑specific, current and effectively communicated.

Introduce missing assessments and controls (e.g. young workers, overhead crane use, asbestos survey oversight).

Ensure effective permit‑to‑work systems for high‑risk activities such as working at height, electrical work and contractor activities.

5. Training, Competence & Assurance

Develop and maintain a comprehensive Training Needs Analysis and Training Matrix, clearly identifying required, completed and planned training.

Ensure role‑based competence for all safety‑critical activities (workshop, warehouse, PDI, roadside assistance).

Oversee induction, refresher training, toolbox talks and specialist external training provision.

6. Incident Management & Performance Monitoring

Ensure all accidents, incidents and near misses are properly investigated using root cause analysis techniques (e.g. 5 Whys).

Monitor H&S KPIs, trends and leading indicators, reporting performance to senior leadership.

Drive continuous improvement based on data, audits and workforce feedback.

7. Contractor & Visitor Safety

Strengthen contractor management systems, including RAMS, competence checks and permit controls.

Ensure visitor and driver safety arrangements are consistently applied and enforced across site operations.

Key Relationships

Group Managing Director & Senior Leadership Team

Site Management (Workshop, Warehouse, PDI, Roadside Assistance)

HR, Facilities and Maintenance Teams

External Consultants, Auditors and Regulators

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

Degree or postgraduate qualification in Occupational Health & Safety or related discipline

Chartered or Graduate Member of IOSH (CMIOSH / GradIOSH) or equivalent

Proven senior H&S leadership experience in a high‑risk operational environment (transport, logistics, engineering, automotive or similar)

Strong working knowledge of Irish H&S legislation and regulatory expectations

Demonstrable experience closing audit findings and implementing management systems

Desirable

Experience leading ISO 45001 (or OHSAS 18001) implementation

Experience operating across multi‑site or group environments

Fire Safety, Electrical Safety or Contractor Management specialism

Key Measures of Success

Reduction and elimination of repeat audit findings

Full compliance with statutory inspection and testing regimes

Improved training coverage and competence assurance

Successful ISO‑aligned system implementation and audit readiness

Visible improvement in safety culture and workforce engagement

Benefits

Competitive Salary

25 Days Annual Leave

5% Matched Pension Contribution

Bike to Work

Death in Service

About us

About Us

At Harris Group, we are proud to be Ireland’s leading distributor of commercial vehicles, spare parts & aftersales services with a legacy spanning over 60 years.

Founded on a spirit of innovation and strong values, our business has grown through a consistent commitment to excellence, customer service, and long-term partnerships. These principles were established by our founder, Pino Harris, and continue to shape everything we do today.

We work with some of the world’s leading automotive brands and continue to invest heavily in our parts and after-sales service infrastructure. This ensures we provide not only high-quality vehicles, but also the ongoing support our customers depend on.

As our industry evolves, so do we. We are actively contributing to the future of transport by delivering clean, sustainable, and cost-effective commercial and public transport solutions.

Why Join Us

Our people are at the heart of our success. Every employee contributes to our continued growth, and we are committed to creating an environment where you can develop, thrive, and make a meaningful impact.

We value:

Innovation and forward thinking

A strong sense of integrity and accountability

Collaboration and teamwork

Pride in delivering exceptional service

Joining Harris Group means becoming part of a team that values not just what you do, but how you do it.