SUMMARY:
SHEQ
POSITION INFO:
OPERATING CENTRE: Voermol Feeds
DEPARTMENT: SHEQ
JOB GRADE: DU
REPORTS TO: Operations Manager (Voermol Feeds)
CLOSING DATE: 30 September 2026
Tongaat Hulett is proud of its 134-year legacy, making a significant socio-economic impact across KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa. Our technical operations include:
- Four sugar manufacturing mills located along the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, from Tongaat to Empangeni;
- A sugar refining operation based on South Coast Road, Durban;
- Voermol Feeds, an animal feeds manufacturing plant situated in Tongaat, adjacent to the Maidstone Sugar Mill;
- A Technical Operations support function comprising Technical Specialists who provide expert assistance to operations both locally and internationally.
The Company's current strategic priority is to enhance overall business performance in the medium to long term by operating sustainably, efficiently, and profitably. Tongaat Hulett is committed to revitalising assets to generate cash flow and exploring new customer segments.
Dimensions
a) Financial
Prepare and manage the Voermol Feeds SHEQ budget, ensuring expenditure remains within approved limits. Where necessary, submit CAPEX requests aligned with the operation's significant risks and ensure ongoing legal compliance.
b) Operational Risk Management Complexity
Animal feed manufacturing involves diverse and complex occupational health, safety, and environmental risks impacting people and the environment. These risks must be mitigated through robust risk management processes, thorough incident investigations, and effective process monitoring and controls. Continuous adaptation to evolving local and national legislation, as well as industry developments, is essential to prevent harm and enhance business performance.
c) Management
This is a management-level role, serving as the subject matter expert within the SHEQ discipline at Voermol Feeds. The position reports directly to the Operations Manager and maintains strong collaborative relationships with Plant and Operations Management.
Purpose of the Role
The SHEQ Manager provides direction, standards, and guidance on all SHEQ matters at the operational level. The role focuses on sustainable legal compliance, meeting corporate requirements, and maintaining alignment with SHEQ Management Systems, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. The ultimate objective is to achieve zero harm and SHEQ excellence.
The role is accountable to the Operations Manager for ensuring full compliance with all statutory and policy requirements essential to the operation's licence to operate.
Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders at Voermol Feeds to identify and mitigate SHE risks, preventing harm to people, property, and the environment.
- Maintain alignment with SHEQ Management Systems, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001.
- Coordinate SHEQ planning and risk management activities within the operation.
- Develop, implement, and maintain SHEQ Management Programmes, including risk assessments, objective and target setting, and incident reporting and investigation reviews.
- Implement SHEQ Management Programmes introduced by the corporate office to enhance SHEQ performance, such as Behaviour-Based Safety and Visible Felt Leadership initiatives.
- Monitor progress and recommend continuous improvement measures.
- Engage with interested and affected parties, including local communities, to discuss safety, health, and environmental matters.
- Stay informed of current and emerging SHE trends, industry developments, and corporate initiatives.
- Conduct research on SHE matters to support future application within the Company.
- Manage all security aspects, including physical security, asset protection, security risk assessments, and adherence to security policies and procedures.
- Oversee site facilities, including buildings, roads, open yard areas, parks, gardens, and perimeter fencing.
- Lead and manage occupational hygiene and cleaning contracts, including office and ablution cleaning and other ad hoc cleaning activities.
- Manage site security contracts and the installation of CCTV cameras.
- Promote and utilise IT-based SHEQ management systems, such as CURA Risk Management and incident management toolkits.
- Manage SHEQ training requirements, including developing and maintaining a comprehensive Training Plan and Skills Matrix.
- Oversee the operation and maintenance of all firefighting equipment on site.
- Maintain a thorough understanding of ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems; internal auditing qualifications and experience in these systems are essential.
- Possess above-average knowledge of industrial and manufacturing processes.
- Participate in recruitment processes to ensure the appointment of key skills within the department.
- Identify training needs and propose targeted interventions to enhance skills and capabilities.
- Conduct performance reviews in line with the performance management calendar.
- Promote employee engagement and foster positive employee relations.
- Apply disciplinary procedures, including initiating and chairing enquiries where necessary.
- Comply with Company policies, proce
