Permanent
Gauteng
Overview
We are a Supply Chain and Sales & Merchandising partner adding value to your business through a fully integrated, temperature-controlled network in Southern Africa.
But we are also more than that. We are people serving people. While we boast the best in tech and infrastructure, our people are our greatest resource. With our skilled, curious, can-do people at the forefront, our assets become your assets, our service your solutions.
Vector’s vehicle fleet includes a food industry first in ‘multi-temperature’ vehicles enabling the company to service business across frozen, chilled and ambient temperature zones on a single delivery.
Job Purpose
The SHERQ (Safety, Health, Environment, Risk, and Quality) and Sustainability Executive plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the organization meets its regulatory and ethical obligations while driving continuous improvement in safety, health, environmental stewardship, risk management, and quality control, including food safety. This role involves developing and implementing strategies that integrate SHERQ principles into all aspects of the business operations, with a particular focus on maintaining stringent food safety standards to protect consumer health. The Executive is responsible for leading initiatives that mitigate risks, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with industry standards, while also championing sustainable practices that align with the company’s long-term goals and values. By doing so, the Executive helps safeguard the well-being of employees and consumers, protect the environment, and promote the company’s reputation as a responsible and forward-thinking enterprise.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy Execution
Work in conjunction with the HR & SHERQ Director, to co-create the national Vector SHERQ & sustainability strategy, based on a 1-to-5-year view of requirements.
Work closely with regional cross-functional management teams to ensure the delivery of quality and safety benefits and attainment of strategic targets.
Drive the implementation of improvements in SHERQ processes and systems to achieve improvement and maintain the highest standards in safety, health and quality.
Understand market trends and requirements and the impact it may have on the SHERQ and Sustainability strategy and drive the modification of the strategy at Vector.
Strategic Insight and Technical Expertise
Provide technical, legal and advisory support to internal and external customers and stakeholders.
Participate in food safety and food law committees of external parties (i.e. SABS, Trade Metrology, CGCSA: FSI, Food Law, Industry Affairs Forum, SANS and any other external party that influences legal and regulatory requirements).
Achieve and maintain certifications through leading initiatives to obtain and maintain relevant sustainability and SHERQ certifications (e.g., ISO 14001, ISO 22 000), ensuring ongoing compliance and continual improvement.
Play the role of management representative for ISO 22 000 for Vector.
Manage and facilitate national management reviews at executive level.
Provide information, highlight key risks and give technical input to the Vector Board.
Define and maintain company quality assurance; food safety; occupational health and safety; and risk management policies.
Create quality assurance visibility and alignment through effective communication and increased synergy and connectivity across work streams and divisions.
Provide technical expertise for the compilation of training material and policy manuals to ensure knowledge transfer.
Lead the sustainability efforts for the business.
Utilise networking and development opportunities to remain abreast of the latest trends and technology.
Total Integrated Systems Management Manage TIMS across Vector to ensure the Business maintains relevant certification, drives continuous improvement, sustainability and manages risks.
Deliver a service to various functional areas within the business and to external customers.
Ensure improvement of food, environmental and occupational safety and customer satisfaction through the establishment and maintenance of quality and safety systems and standards.
Manage audits to verify conformance to TQMS, legal requirements, quality specifications and safety standards.
Analyse warehousing, transportation and quality assurance statistics to highlight areas of concern and areas for improvement.
Support and drive ongoing quality improvement principles by cultivating the required behaviour through TIMS.
Drive the resolution of non-conformances (both material and products) with the relevant supplier/principal.
Supplier Quality Assurance Manage Vector’s Supplier Quality Assurance Programme.
Develop the food safety and quality strategy for suppliers based on international standards and trends and internal priorities and opportunities.
Manage supplier risk assessments (i.e. food safety, quality, business process risks to the business).
Re-evaluate supplier risk assessments every 12 months.
Screen and approve suppliers based on food safety and quality risks.
Develop a risk-based supplier audit plan.
Perform supplier audits.
Manage a process for tracking the status of resolutions of supplier audit findings.
Train Vector suppliers on legal, food safety and quality requirements.
Approve supplier specifications (particularly pallet construction).
Approve any concessions pertaining to incoming goods and materials.
Report supplier risks at management reviews.
Provide technical support to suppliers to minimise any associated quality, safety and process-related risks.
Represent Vector from a SHEQ perspective at customer interactions and manage joint SHEQ initiatives, trials and protocols
Project Management Participate in project meetings to provide support and report on legal, food safety and quality issues.
Proactively identify risks associated with projects.
Set the critical path of each project relating to food safety and quality risk for the warehousing and transportation teams.
Advisory to legal requirements for Projects
Identify opportunities for Vector to influence regulation and manage projects from opportunity to release of regulation.
Participate in ad hoc Group projects.
Sustainability Management Develop and Implement Sustainability Strategies: Create and execute comprehensive sustainability plans that align with the organization’s goals, including energy conservation, waste management, and resource efficiency.
Monitor and Report on Sustainability Metrics: Track and analyze key performance indicators related to sustainability, such as carbon emissions, energy usage, and waste reduction, and provide regular reports to senior management and stakeholders.
Achieve and Maintain Sustainability Certifications: Lead efforts to obtain and uphold certifications such as ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and other relevant standards, ensuring ongoing compliance and continuous improvement.
Promote Energy Efficiency Initiatives: Identify and implement energy-saving measures and technologies to reduce the organization's energy consumption and operational costs.
Enhance Waste Management Practices: Develop and enforce waste reduction strategies, including recycling programs and initiatives to minimize landfill waste, ensuring proper disposal and recycling practices.
Engage Stakeholders and Foster Partnerships: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers, customers, and community organizations, to advance sustainability initiatives and build supportive partnerships.
Integrate Sustainability into Business Processes: Embed sustainability considerations into business operations, procurement practices, and product development to ensure environmentally responsible practices throughout the supply chain.
Conduct Environmental Impact Assessments: Evaluate the environmental impact of
projects, processes, and products, recommending measures to mitigate negative effects and enhance overall sustainability performance.
Educate and Train Employees: Develop and deliver training programs to raise awareness about sustainability practices and encourage employee participation in environmental initiatives.
Stay Informed on Regulatory Changes and Trends: Monitor and interpret changes in environmental regulations, sustainability trends, and industry best practices to ensure the organization remains compliant and proactive in its sustainability efforts.
Staff and Team Management Identify personnel requirements and participate in the selection process.
Lead and develop staff within the context of the Labour Relations Act, Employment Equity Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the Skills Development Act.
Monitor staff performance and provide regular performance feedback.
Manage staff activities, ensuring service levels are met and protocols are adhered to.
Coach and support staff where necessary to achieve objectives.
Manage staff leave and general time management issues in line with organisational deliverables and standards.
Manage and deliver on career development and succession plans to enable the development of a future generation of leaders and specialists and ensure optimal turnover and retention levels are maintained.
Champion staff training and development through the utilisation of available training opportunities or contributing to the development of new training solutions in collaboration with national training specialists.
Conduct regular performance appraisals with subordinates.
Establish sound staff organising and communication structures and systems.
Lead the team towards meeting the strategy and targets through regular communication and utilisation of the full organisational talent management tool set.
Address poor performance in individuals and teams in accordance with company policy and the relevant legislation.
Conduct regular meetings and ensure that records are kept and shared across the team and that action plans agreed to within team meetings are delivered upon.
Key Relationships
Key Relationship - Internal
All functions internally.
Key Relationship - External
Government.
Suppliers.
Industry forums and stakeholder groups.
Customers.
Qualifications And Experience
Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required for the Job
Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Occupational Health and Safety, Risk Management, or a related field. A Master’s degree or relevant certifications (e.g., NEBOSH, ISO Lead Auditor) is preferred.
Experience: Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in SHERQ management, with a strong focus on sustainability and environmental management. Experience in leading sustainability initiatives and obtaining relevant certifications is highly desirable.
Valid Code EB drivers' licence.
Skills and Competencies
Planning, organisation and coordination.
Negotiation.
Relationship building.
Computer literacy (MS Office).
Verbal and written communication.
Leadership.
Interpersonal.
Logical thinking.
Innovative and creative thinking.
Problem solving.
Critical thinking.
Decision-making.
Analytical and evaluative thinking.
Able to synthesize information from disparate sources and deliver comprehensive, balanced and actionable analysis.
Knowledge
ISO 9001:2008.
SANS 10330.
ISO 22000.
Industry standards for food safety and quality.
Statutory and regulatory requirements.
Vector operations.
TQM principles.
We look forward to hearing from you!