We are a leading player in the automotive sector, known for innovation, quality, and engineering excellence. As we continue to expand, we are looking for an experienced OHS Manager to join our high-performing team.
The Role
The Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Manager is responsible for leading, developing, and continuously improving the organisation's Health and Safety Management System to ensure a safe and compliant workplace across all operations. This role provides strategic and operational safety leadership across manufacturing, engineering, warehousing, and white‐collar environments, ensuring compliance with OHS/WHS or site related legislation whilst driving a strong and proactive safety culture.
Key Responsibilities include: Safety Leadership & Strategy
* Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of an effective OHS Management System aligned to ISO 45001 and site legislative requirements
* Act as the organisation's technical authority on OHS matters, providing expert advice to executive leadership, managers, and supervisors
* Champion a positive, proactive safety culture across manufacturing, engineering, warehouse, and office environments
* Integrate health and safety considerations into operational, engineering, and business decision-making
Legislative Compliance & Governance
* Ensure full compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) and associated Regulations and Codes of Practice
* Monitor, interpret, and communicate changes in OHS legislation and ensure timely implementation across the business
* Lead WorkSafe Victoria interactions, including inspections, audits, improvement notices, investigations, and regulatory reporting
* Develop and maintain safety policies, procedures, and standards appropriate for a large manufacturing environment
* Identify, assess, and control health and safety risks associated with manufacturing processes, plant and equipment, hazardous substances, engineering activities, and warehouse operations
* Oversee contractor safety management, including prequalification, onboarding, and performance monitoring
* Ensure effective systems are in place for permit‐to‐work, isolation/lockout, confined space, working at heights, and mobile plant operations
* Partner with Engineering to ensure safety is embedded in equipment design, modifications, commissioning, and change management
* Lead investigations into incidents, near misses, hazards, and dangerous occurrences, ensuring root cause analysis and effective corrective actions are completed
* Monitor and analyse safety performance data, trends, and KPIs, reporting regularly to senior leadership and governance forums
* Maintain statutory reporting requirements, including notifiable incidents and injury management metrics
* Oversee internal safety audits, inspections, and assurance activities
Health, Wellbeing & Injury Management
* Develop and support programs addressing occupational health risks such as manual handling, ergonomics, noise, airborne contaminants, fatigue, and psychosocial hazards
* Support injury management, return‐to‐work programs, and workers compensation processes in collaboration with HR
* Support wellbeing initiatives and psychosocial safety strategies aligned with contemporary Victorian obligations
Engagement, Consultation & Capability Building
* Lead formal consultation mechanisms, including Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs), Health and Safety Committees, and toolbox engagement processes
* Coach and support leaders and supervisors to build safety capability and accountability at all levels
* Develop and deliver safety training and awareness programs for operational and white‐collar employees
* Promote reporting, learning, and continuous improvement through workforce engagement
About You:
* Tertiary qualification in Occupational Health & Safety, WHS, Engineering, or a related discipline
* Minimum 8–10 years OHS experience, including leadership responsibility in a large manufacturing or industrial environment
* In‐depth knowledge of Victorian OHS legislation and WorkSafe Victoria requirements
* Proven experience managing complex safety risks across manufacturing plant, engineering functions, and warehousing operations
* Strong incident investigation and risk management capability
* ISO 45001 Lead Auditor or implementation experience
* Experience in the automotive or heavy manufacturing sector
* Formal training in incident investigation methodologies (e.g. ICAM, TapRooT)
* Ability to lead and mentor a small safety team
Skills
* Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence across all organisational levels
* Practical, solutions‐focused approach balanced with strong compliance discipline
* High level of integrity, resilience, and professional judgement
* Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
* Data‐driven mindset with strong analytical and reporting capability
What We Offer
* Competitive salary and benefits package
* Opportunity to work on key business projects
* A collaborative environment with strong career development pathways
Interested?
If you're passionate about safety and thrive in a diverse and challenging role, we'd love to hear from you!
Please apply via SEEK by uploading your CV and Cover letter, letting us know why you stand out from the pack and what you can bring to the Walkinshaw Automotive Group and this role.
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