Head of Hse

Date: Jan 29, 2025
- Location: St. Thomas, CA
- Company: PowerCo Canada Inc.
- Level of Experience: Management
- Job Function: Operations
- Job ID: 2906

**Head of HSE**:
**Head of HSE**

Operations I Management

**With whom you will CELLebrate**

We are proud to announce the launch of Volkswagen Group’s largest cell factory, PowerCo, in St. Thomas. This is more than just a job - it’s a unique opportunity to shape the future of sustainable energy. Join us as we ramp up operations and help build a world-class company.

At PowerCo, we believe in fostering an environment where ambition meets collaboration, and where flexibility and creativity thrive. You'll be part of a diverse, talented team that is shaping the future of battery production. You’ll have the chance to advance your career while working alongside passionate colleagues who share a vision of making a lasting impact on the world.

Are you ready to be part of something exciting? Power up your career with us

**How you will CELLebrate**

As the Head of Health, Security and Emergency Response, you will have overall responsibility for leading an interdisciplinary team to manage the HSE, Security and Emergency response teams during the design, construction, and operation of the PowerCo SE St. Thomas Gigafactory. Supported by the HSE Manager and Security Lead, you will find that this is a wide-ranging role which includes many key aspects essential to the safe and efficient operation of the St. Thomas Gigafactory. This includes occupational safety, environmental protection of equipment design support, fire engineering, permitting, emergency planning, hazardous substance control, security/threat protection, waste management and functional safety. You will be required to report regularly to senior management including the Chief Operating Officer, as well as liaising with external partners and regulators.

**_This is a flex hybrid model, requiring 2 days in office. Once the Battery Plant is built and functional, this role will be fully onsite._**

**Primary Responsibilities**:

- Development, implementation and management of the Health, Security and Emergency Response teams within the ST. Thomas site, during construction activities and operation of the factory and ancillary buildings.
- Direct line management of the HSE Manager and the Security Lead
- Compliance with all statutory Health, Safety and Environmental requirements and liaison with statutory regulators, including internal and external reporting.
- Recruitment, management and supervision of an interdisciplinary team of Health, Safety, Environment, Security, Plant Safety and Fire Safety/Fighting specialists.
- Development of a site safety and environmental management system to comply with local regulations, international best practice and internal PowerCo requirements, including SEVESO and Best Available Technique (BAT).
- Development, implementation and management of the local ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 systems
- Development, implementation and management of a risk management process for all local site activities, substances and hazards, including accident, incident and near miss investigations along with all statutory and internal reporting requirements.
- Development of the site waste concept and waste activities.
- Provision of expert advice on HSE, Security, Plant Safety and Fire Protection issues.
- Development and delivery of a construction safety concept with our project management consultants and supporting the implementation and audit of the concept throughout all construction phases.
- Set-up and coordination of all relevant HSE, security and fire committees.
- Investigation of Health, Safety, Environmental, Security and Fire incidents including statutory reporting and generation of improvement plans.
- Overview of the hazardous substances being used on site including the required federal registrations.
- Development, delivery and implementation of the site security plan and teams ensuring compliance with corporate requirements.
- Development and implementation of a positive safety culture within PowerCo Canada.

**What you need for our CELLebration**
- Master’s Degree in a Health, Safety or Environmental Subject
- 10+ years in a Health, Safety or Environmental Role as a regulator or within a regulated facility
- Minimum of 5 years of HSE experience in leading a multi-disciplinary team and working as a regulator or in a regulated facility, of which a minimum of 2 years’ experience should be within the lithium-ion battery manufacturing sector.
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience of working in large-scale construction process and implementation of construction best practices such as Construction Design Management processes.

**What else can you bring**
- Development, implementation, and management of Major Accident Hazard Assessments using the SEVESO 3 process, including the writing and testing of emergency plans including direct experience in managing emergency situations.
- Implementing and use