EHS Country Manager

US EHS Country Manager

Primark USA is growing: A decade after it opened its first store, the international retailer now has 34 stores in 13 states and 17 further leases already signed. To provide EHS leadership, management and development of Primark's environmental health and safety requirements across the US region.

What You’ll Do

• Provide leadership and governance of our EHS requirements across the US.
• Implement and sustain a robust compliance management programme that effectively oversees and manages EHS issues affecting the company in order to meet and exceed our responsibilities and commitments.
• Provide comprehensive advice to management and business units on EHS matters as the need may arise and to participate in regular meetings with the Leadership team, regional managers, area managers and heads of department as required.
• Assist in the development of the appropriate EHS support structures within the US and to ensure the operational management of health and safety compliance within the region.
• Contribute to the on-going development and roll out of corporate EHS objectives, policies and systems organisation wide.
• Establish effective relationships and work closely and co-operatively with directors, executives and senior managers – within the retail team, the group EHS team and other stakeholders such as construction, facilities management, human resources and legal services etc.
• Make authoritative recommendations where required to senior management in regard to programmes, systems and resources required; identifying and monitoring regional EHS KPI's as dictated by the Group retail objectives and targets.
• Respond to critical and high-level environmental, health and safety issues in a timely manner to protect our employees, customers, stakeholders and reduce business exposure and risk.
• Be a leader and role model for the EHS Team in the US and actively develop the EHS team’s skills and competencies and provide input into performance reviews as required.
• Develop and maintain constructive key relationships with lead figures in the relevant enforcement authorities.
• Encourage, support and advise on consultative arrangements in the region ensuring the retail and human resources team are aware of these obligations and support this function within our stores.
• Liaise with other EHS Country Managers in other jurisdictions to ensure common standards of best practice are achieved throughout Primark's operating regions.
• Drive a culture of behavioural safety across the region and to lead by example to ensure that
• safety becomes an integral part of everyday business.
• Develop and implement workplace risk assessments and reviews in accordance with legislation and as required, determining appropriate action and priorities.
• To undertake investigations into specific incidents and/or accidents ensuring appropriate records are maintained and ensure appropriate recommendations are made and actions closed to reduce likelihood of reoccurrence.
• Carry out EHS inspections as required by legislation, Primark company policy and legislation requirements. Identifying potential hazards and recommend appropriate remedial action where required.
• Formulate, provide and advise on training needs for the business in line with regulatory requirements, business demands, or poor performance taking into account performance improvement and return on investment.
• Ensure delivery risk assessments are carried out in stores and provide feedback to store and Transport/Supply Chain.
• Analyse the results of the internal and external EHS audits and make regular reports to the retail teams on their performance and actively assist each manager to improve risk management in their area of responsibility.
• Ensure adequate emergency procedures are in place and support the region with development and roll out of crisis management procedures and training to ensure business continuity.
• Drive and implement environmental requirements in the region and ensure compliance with local legislation.
• Assist central functions with the role out of environmental objectives and requirements in areas such as waste and energy and be aware of EPR & environmental compliance requirements and cost impacts for your market.
• Be a leader and promoter of Primark Cares and environmental initiatives in the US.

What You’ll Bring

• Undergraduate degree or commensurate professional experience; engineering or science background is an advantage.
• Recognised professional qualification in environmental health and safety.
• A minimum of 10 years management experience in environmental health and safety.
• Retail or FMCG's experience an advantage.
• Thorough knowledge of, and ability to advise upon, environmental, health & safety matters, risk management and legislation, with substantial demonstrable experience of personal involvement in the management of safety within a diverse fast paced work environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, codes of practice, guidance and operating procedures. Ability to keep abreast of trends and related best practice.
• Evidence of strong interpersonal skills in order to establish credibility with colleagues and senior management and to foster effective working relations with a wide range of senior internal and external contacts.
• Exceptional influencing and persuading skills with the ability to adopt different approaches and styles of influencing depending on the circumstances.
• Ability to manage, motivate and develop colleagues, together with excellent team building skills.
• An effective communicator with the ability to deliver complex messages in a clear and appropriate manner.
• Results orientated with a strong focus on the delivery of objectives, including an ability to provide creative and innovative solutions based on a sound understanding of business requirements.

The ideal individual will:

• Be persuasive, enthusiastic and passionate about the people, commercial and environmentalaspects of EHS and be able to drive change in the region.
• Have a track record of successful delivery of EHS processes, policies and initiatives resulting inimproved standards and behavioural change, with the ability to adopt a measured approach with good analytical and tactical skills.
• Have a deep technical knowledge and implementation of EHS risk management.
• Have proven leadership and management experience in a multi-location site environment. A background in managing multiple sites with ideally additional experience in project management would be an advantage.
• Be skilled at working in an executive structure and influencing a variety of stakeholders.
• Be willing to travel throughout the US as required to drive a positive EHS culture.

Excited? Good. Because it’s energising to put your skills to work, in a growing global business committed to helping people express themselves – and feel a sense of belonging.

We encourage all our people to grow, learn, and develop, and we can’t wait to see how you’ll positively impact colleagues in this role. Apply to join as a People & Culture Advisor and be welcomed to the world of Primark.

This is a good faith estimate of the minimum and maximum we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  The base pay rate offered will account for internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region of work, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other factors.

Our fashion isn’t one-size-fits-all and neither is our culture. Primark promotes equal employment opportunity, we strive to create an inclusive workplace where people can be themselves, access opportunities and thrive together. Excited? Good. There’s real accountability and ownership here as you shape your store, team’s futures, and steer sales. It’s energizing to put your skills to work, in a growing local and global business committed to helping people express themselves- and feel a sense of belonging. Because you thrive outside your comfort zone. Apply today to start your Primark journey!

Primark is an equal opportunity employer. Primark does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Primark is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please email USACareers@primark.com with your request. This email is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will only respond to those requests that are related to accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.