Country QHSE Manager

About the role

SGS, a global inspection, verification, testing and certification company, is looking for a Country QHSE Manager in Saudi Arabia. The role provides strategic and operational leadership to build a proactive, risk-based health and safety culture across the country, aligned with SGS global standards and business objectives. It acts as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and leadership teams, influencing decisions and ensuring strong governance and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities

• Translate global and regional health and safety strategy into a clear, actionable country roadmap aligned with business priorities.
• Drive a risk-based approach to identifying, assessing and controlling critical risks, focusing on the effectiveness of controls rather than simple compliance.
• Build a strong safety culture, reinforcing leadership behaviours, accountability and employee engagement across all levels.
• Ensure robust incident reporting, investigation and learning, with a focus on root cause analysis and preventing recurrence.
• Develop organisational capability through coaching, training and development of health and safety personnel and operational leaders.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and SGS standards, and support the integration of health and safety into acquisitions, projects and operational changes.

Required profile

• Degree in health and safety or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 10 years' experience in health and safety management, including corporate leadership roles in complex or multi-site environments.
• Professional certification such as NEBOSH or ISO 45001 Lead Auditor is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change, influence senior stakeholders and drive continuous improvement.
• Experience in setting up site and lab operations.

Required skills

• Strategic risk leadership and risk-based safety management
• Influencing and stakeholder engagement
• Safety culture leadership and team leadership and capability building
• Operational excellence and implementation of a health and safety management system