About the Organisation:
This national food manufacturing organisation operates a large network of sites across Australia and New Zealand and plays a key role in supplying high-quality products to some of the region's most recognised food brands. With a strong focus on innovation, operational excellence and continuous improvement, the business is undergoing significant investment across people, systems and technology.
You'll be based at a brand-new, purpose-built facility, featuring state-of-the-art equipment and advanced automation. The site is in the final stages of commissioning, offering a unique chance to influence culture, systems and safety foundations from day one.
About the Role:
Reporting to the Production Manager (with a dotted line to the Head of HSE), the HSE Business Partner will play a key role in embedding a proactive, prevention-focused safety culture across the Ballarat site.
This is a practical, hands-on role partnering closely with operational leaders to uplift safety capability, strengthen behavioural safety, and ensure ongoing compliance across WHS, environmental, and food manufacturing standards.
Working Monday to Friday in core business hours, the role offers consistent on-site visibility allowing you to stay closely connected to the operational teams. After an initial 12–18 month period supporting the Ballarat operation, the position will expand to include multi-site HSE oversight including West Footscray, offering significant career development and broader organisational impact.
Key Responsibilities Include:
* Leading the implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement of HSE management systems
* Supporting site leaders with coaching, advisory support and practical risk management
* Driving behavioural safety initiatives to build a strong, engaged safety culture
* Conducting audits, inspections, and incident investigations with a root-cause focus
* Ensuring compliance with WHS, environmental and food safety legislation and standards
* Facilitating HSE training, inductions and capability-building programs
* Monitoring injury management, early intervention and return-to-work processes
* Leveraging digital tools and data insights to analyse performance and support improvement initiatives
* Contributing to broader sustainability, waste-reduction and environmental programs
About You:
You bring a collaborative, people-focused approach and thrive in operational environments where visibility, communication and partnership matter. You enjoy shaping culture as much as maintaining compliance, and you're energised by helping leaders lift their safety capability.
To succeed in this role, you'll bring:
* Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety (minimum)
* Lean Six Sigma (Lean Manufacturing) & Certificate IV TAE highly desirable
* Experience in an operational HSE role, ideally within food manufacturing or similar
* Capability across risk assessment, incident investigation and hazard control
* Experience supporting environmental compliance and sustainability initiatives
* Ability to influence, coach and build relationships at all levels
* Strong communication, problem-solving and analytical skills
What's on Offer:
* Strong remuneration package plus targeted annual performance bonus
* Opportunity to build safety foundations at a brand-new, automated facility
* Clear development pathway to multi-site HSE responsibility
* Strong organisational support for professional growth and learning
* Employee benefits program including savings at major retailers
How to Apply:
If you're looking for a hands-on safety role where you can directly influence culture, partner with leaders and help shape a brand-new site from the ground up, we'd love to hear from you.
Please apply with your resume in Word format. For a confidential discussion, contact Michelle Mortimer on or Dani Easterbook on
We are delighted to be managing another exclusive assignment created in partnership and trust with our client. Proteqt Talent Solutions actively embraces diversity in the workforce through inclusive community representation of gender, culture, thought, and work arrangements.