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.
Head of Health & Safety
Dublin
Full-time
Permanent employee
Job Purpose
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Experience leading ISO 45001 (or OHSAS 18001) implementation
- Experience operating across multi‑site or group environments
- Fire Safety, Electrical Safety or Contractor Management specialism
- 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
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