Health and Safety Manager (Preventieadviseur Niveau 1)

McBride is the leading supplier of Private Label Household and professional cleaning/hygiene products for Europe's largest and most successful retailers as well as producing own brand products. The formula for our success is quite straightforward: we work by our Key Values – Always Committed, Working Together, Aspire to be the best and Giving and Taking Accountability to create a positive environment for all McBride employees.

Job Purpose

To lead the Health & Safety (HS) function across the Ieper plant. The role proactively drives & supports the Site Leadership Team to operate in compliance with the HS Management System across functional areas ensuring standards & processes are fully deployed and understood at all levels of the organisation. They develop, review, plan and co-ordinate the sites health and safety management system and ensure compliance with company HS Policies, Standards, Objectives & local legislative requirements.

Your responsibilities will be

• Strive for ZERO Harm & ZERO Waste. Accelerate our operations towards a sustainable future. Promote a positive HS culture.
• Develop, implement, and maintain HS policies, procedures, and management systems in line with Belgian/EU legislation & the Groups HS Management Policies.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and act as the primary liaison with government agencies, auditors, and external stakeholders.
• Lead risk assessments, hazard identification, and incident investigations, ensuring corrective and preventive actions are implemented.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in safety culture and occupational health.
• Provide HS training, coaching, and awareness programs for employees at all levels.
• Ensures that relevant HS aspects are owned at the appropriate operational level of the organisation.
• Monitor and report HS performance metrics, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
• Collaborate with plant leadership and cross-functional teams to embed HS considerations into operational decision-making.
• Manage emergency preparedness and response plans, ensuring readiness for potential incidents.
• Lead the HS team (3 direct reports), coach, and develop HS Specialists, ensuring effective delivery of HS programs and initiatives.
• Develops talent, empowers & mentors colleagues within the team to identify their training & development needs and provides the required support for personal development, in line with the strategy.
• Take up the role as prevention advisor in the Committee of Safety at Work (monthly meetings, reporting, consultation with labour doctor).

Skills and education we are looking for

• Master’s degree Industrial Engineering or equivalent
• Certified Prevention Advisor Level 1
• 5 years of experience as Prevention Advisor Level 1 in a similar production environment, preferably chemical background
• Good knowledge of MS Office, knowledge of SAP is a plus
• Training skills and experience with change management
• Good knowledge of legislation in the field of occupational health & safety and fire protection
• Very good knowledge of Dutch, French & English

What will make you successful

• A commitment to high standards, strong technical expertise, and continuous improvement
• Clear, impactful communication and effective collaboration across teams
• Strong analytical thinking and sound judgement in health & safety decisions
• Adaptability, initiative, and ownership in driving HS improvements
• The ability to plan, organize, and coach others to strengthen HS capability