EHS Officer

Company Overview

Kerry is a global leader in taste and nutrition, supplying the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors. Committed to creating sustainable and healthier products, Kerry serves billions worldwide with a vision to be the most valued partner in sustainable nutrition. Joining Kerry offers prospects for growth and contribution in a global setting.

Role Summary

The EHS Officer will manage daily Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) department operations, ensuring the effectiveness of EHS management systems and driving continual improvements.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist management in implementing, managing, and optimizing EHS procedures and work practices.
• Ensure compliance with Kerry’s EHS requirements, local laws, and external certifications.
• Support and implement office safety initiatives at the Lagos location.
• Promote awareness and compliance of EHS practices among employees and contractors.
• Maintain adherence to Kerry LIFE rules and company procedures.
• Drive safety culture across all organizational levels encouraging safe work practices.
• Administer and uphold Kerry’s EHS systems including ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards.
• Conduct and facilitate internal and external EHS audits and ensure corrective actions close audit gaps.
• Train personnel on EHS system requirements and proactive incident prevention.
• Update and maintain EHS documentation within the integrated management system.
• Measure and monitor compliance with EHS objectives, targets, and environmental performance according to regulations and sustainability KPIs.
• Compile and report relevant EHS statistics as required locally and nationally.
• Support emergency preparedness plans including drills and response.
• Maintain EHS logs and conduct incident investigations with root cause analyses.
• Advise on and monitor site risk assessments, identifying hazards and unsafe behaviors proactively.
• Communicate EHS objectives, targets, and performance to all site stakeholders.
• Coach EHS representatives ensuring timely completion of their duties.
• Monitor compliance with EHS procedures during maintenance, construction, and project activities involving employees and contractors.
• Assist in developing and delivering EHS training programs including inductions.
• Encourage proper use and maintenance of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Collaborate with engineering to ensure timely closure of EHS-related maintenance tasks.
• Prepare monthly Kerry EHS reports and assist with compliance reviews and risk assessments.
• Ensure full adherence to relevant EHS legislation and regulations.

Factory-Specific Duties

• Conduct daily walkthroughs of the manufacturing floor to reinforce EHS presence and provide support.
• Coordinate and document EHS-related meetings such as committee sessions, incident investigations, PPE assessments, contractor oversight, audits, and others.
• Manage and update EHS programs, policies, procedures, and assist with report generation and data collection.
• Perform facility EHS inspections and evaluate PPE usage and maintenance standards.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory and Kerry-specific requirements.
• Assist in emergency response planning, preparedness reviews, and training exercises.
• Support implementation of behavioral and risk assessment programs including Behavior Observation System (BOS), Self-Regulated Risk Assessment (SeRRA), and Small Acts Matter (SAM).
• Execute additional responsibilities as directed by the EHS Lead.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Engineering, Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years’ experience in EHS, ideally within food manufacturing.
• Completion of ISPON Level 3 certification.
• NEBOSH IGC certification is a plus.
• Knowledge of OHS Act and National Environmental Management Act requirements.
• Experience with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards and conducting internal audits.
• Skilled in risk assessments and root cause analysis.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, decision-making, and judgment capabilities.
• Ability to influence others positively, even amid resistance.

Additional Information

Beware of fraudulent recruitment activities. Kerry does not ask candidates for payments during hiring except reimbursable travel expenses, and communications come only from official Kerry channels. Kerry refrains from using video chat rooms for interviews and will not solicit candidates through non-Kerry email addresses.