Illovo Sugar South Africa invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for appointment to the position of SHER Officer (FLM) on a fixed-term contract at the LACSA plant in Merebank. The role supports implementation, coordination, monitoring, and continuous improvement of Safety, Health, Environment and Risk (SHER) systems aligned with legislative requirements, internal governance standards, and operational performance objectives. The position contributes directly to strengthening safety culture, improving environmental compliance, supporting occupational health initiatives, and ensuring structured monitoring of site-level risk mitigation activities.

Position: SHER Officer (FLM)
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract (4 Months)
Location: Merebank – LACSA Plant, South Africa
Reporting To: Site Director
Application Type: Internal and External Applicants
Closing Date: 10 April 2026

Position Purpose

The SHER Officer supports site compliance with occupational safety, environmental legislation, and internal management systems through coordination of inspections, reporting processes, investigations, training initiatives, and improvement programmes

The role contributes to implementation of SHER frameworks aligned with operational strategies, regulatory expectations, and group-level reporting requirements

Responsibilities include monitoring compliance indicators, supporting risk mitigation planning, facilitating investigations, coordinating audits, maintaining statutory schedules, and strengthening workforce awareness of safety responsibilities

Close collaboration required with:

• Site Director
• Downstream Safety, Health and Risk Manager
• QFSE Manager
• SHR Head
• Operational leadership teams
• Maintenance and engineering personnel
• Environmental compliance stakeholders

Key Performance Areas

SHER Awareness and Culture Development

• Promote site-wide SHER awareness aligned with continuous improvement objectives
• Strengthen workforce participation in safety compliance programmes
• Support behavioural safety initiatives across operational teams
• Facilitation of toolbox talks and awareness sessions
• Development of communication materials supporting safety messaging
• Support implementation of site-level compliance campaigns
• Reinforcement of adherence to safety protocols and operational procedures
• Contribution to continuous improvement of workplace risk awareness culture

SHER Compliance and Management Systems Support

• Support implementation of Merebank SHER management systems
• Align activities with internal compliance standards and operational procedures
• Coordinate engagement with Downstream Safety, Health and Risk Manager
• Support alignment with QFSE compliance frameworks
• Assist with assurance system coordination across departments
• Maintain compliance tracking registers aligned with internal reporting expectations
• Support integration of environmental and occupational health monitoring programmes
• Facilitate documentation readiness for regulatory inspections

Risk Assessment Coordination

• Coordinate structured SHER risk assessments across operational departments
• Identify hazards affecting production environments and support mitigation planning
• Assist operational teams with implementation of corrective risk control measures
• Monitor effectiveness of implemented mitigation strategies
• Support documentation of risk assessment findings
• Facilitation of review cycles aligned with compliance monitoring schedules
• Support development of preventative safety planning initiatives

Incident Investigation and Corrective Action Monitoring

• Facilitate investigation of safety, health, and environmental incidents
• Identify root causes using structured investigation techniques
• Recommend corrective and preventative actions
• Track implementation progress of corrective actions
• Verify closure of investigation findings
• Maintain investigation documentation aligned with reporting requirements
• Support improvement of incident reporting accuracy across departments

Audit Coordination and Compliance Verification

• Facilitate closure of audit findings identified during internal assessments
• Support preparation for external compliance inspections
• Track corrective actions linked to audit observations
• Maintain structured audit readiness documentation
• Monitor implementation progress of improvement recommendations
• Support compliance verification processes aligned with legislative expectations

Inspections and Monitoring Activities

• Conduct routine workplace safety inspections
• Monitor adherence to occupational health regulations
• Verify compliance with environmental protection standards
• Support internal compliance verification programmes
• Track inspection results within CMMS systems such as Maintenance Connection
• Facilitate closure of inspection findings
• Support identification of improvement opportunities across operational areas

Environmental Programme Implementation

• Support implementation of environmental compliance initiatives
• Coordinate water usage monitoring plans
• Assist with environmental performance tracking systems
• Support sustainability reporting inputs
• Monitor compliance with waste disposal regulations
• Facilitation of recycling and reuse initiatives
• Maintain environmental compliance documentation registers

Statutory Compliance Monitoring

• Maintain statutory monitoring schedules
• Track certification deadlines for compliance equipment
• Monitor occupational health inspection requirements
• Support environmental compliance verification cycles
• Maintain documentation required for regulatory audits
• Ensure compliance with national safety legislation

ABF Monthly HSE Reporting Support

• Validate site-level inputs submitted to ABF reporting platforms
• Ensure accuracy of safety performance indicators
• Support alignment with group-level reporting expectations
• Reduce likelihood of compliance findings through accurate reporting
• Maintain structured data verification systems
• Support management visibility of performance trends

SHER Reporting and Documentation

• Compile structured SHER management reports
• Maintain incident registers aligned with reporting frameworks
• Support documentation required during regulatory inspections
• Prepare compliance performance summaries
• Monitor tracking systems linked to corrective action implementation
• Maintain audit-ready documentation aligned with internal requirements

Emergency Preparedness Coordination

• Support emergency response testing programmes
• Coordinate emergency drill participation across departments
• Assist with verification of response readiness systems
• Support documentation of emergency preparedness outcomes
• Monitor corrective actions arising from emergency drills
• Strengthen site readiness for potential safety incidents

SHE Committee Participation and Governance Support

• Monitor attendance at SHE committee meetings
• Track closure of committee action items
• Support governance compliance tracking systems
• Maintain committee documentation aligned with reporting expectations
• Facilitate communication between committees and operational teams

Training Programme Coordination

• Maintain structured SHE training plans
• Monitor completion of mandatory compliance training
• Support identification of competency gaps across departments
• Assist with scheduling of safety awareness sessions
• Maintain training documentation registers
• Support workforce readiness aligned with regulatory requirements

Waste Management Oversight

• Coordinate disposal of regulated waste streams
• Support recycling programme implementation
• Maintain documentation for waste disposal compliance
• Monitor procurement related to waste handling services
• Support environmental audit readiness requirements
• Ensure compliance with sustainability objectives

Policy and Governance Compliance

Adherence required to organisational frameworks including:

• SHER policies and procedures
• Competition Law compliance requirements
• Anti-Bribery and Corruption standards
• Environmental governance frameworks
• Occupational safety legislation
• Internal reporting protocols

Support implementation of ethical compliance practices across operational areas

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet the following qualification and experience criteria:

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Safety Management
• Diploma or Degree in Quality Management
• Diploma or Degree in Risk Management
• Diploma or Degree in Environmental Management or related discipline
• SAMTRAC qualification required
• NEBOSH qualification required

Advantageous Qualifications

• ISO 9000 Lead Auditor qualification
• ISO 22000 Lead Auditor qualification
• First Aid training certification
• Fire Prevention training certification

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 2–3 years’ experience within an operational environment
• Exposure to factory-based production environments
• Experience within agricultural processing environments considered beneficial
• Experience supporting occupational safety programmes
• Experience participating in compliance monitoring activities
• Experience assisting with internal audit preparation processes
• Exposure to environmental compliance initiatives preferred

Knowledge Requirements

Applicants expected to demonstrate working knowledge of:

• SHER legislation applicable to South African industrial environments
• Occupational Health and Safety Act requirements
• Environmental compliance monitoring frameworks
• Incident investigation methodologies
• Risk assessment processes
• Safety inspection procedures
• Compliance documentation systems
• Environmental reporting requirements

Technical Skills

• Microsoft Office proficiency required
• Report writing capability essential
• Compliance tracking systems experience advantageous
• CMMS exposure beneficial
• Data verification capability required
• Documentation management competency essential

Behavioural Competencies

Successful candidates expected to demonstrate:

• Commitment to safety excellence
• Strong teamwork orientation
• Effective communication capability
• Analytical thinking ability
• Structured problem-solving approach
• Attention to compliance detail
• Organisational planning capability
• Ethical professional conduct
• Accountability in reporting responsibilities
• Ability to influence safety culture positively

Culture Attributes

Alignment expected with organisational workplace values including:

• Demonstrating importance of safety in daily operations
• Supporting continuous quality improvement initiatives
• Promoting teamwork across departments
• Communicating effectively with operational teams
• Supporting employee wellbeing priorities
• Contributing to compliance-driven operational environments

Contract Duration and Opportunity Value

This four-month fixed-term contract provides exposure to:

• Structured SHER management systems
• Industrial compliance monitoring environments
• Environmental sustainability programmes
• Safety investigation methodologies
• Audit coordination processes
• Emergency preparedness systems
• Governance reporting frameworks

Experience gained supports career development within:

• Occupational health and safety
• Environmental compliance
• Risk management
• Industrial operations compliance

Application Process

Submit the following documents:

• Detailed curriculum vitae
• Certified copies of qualifications
• Email applications to: [email protected]

Internal applicants required to:

• Complete Internal Application Form
• Obtain relevant authorising signatures before submission

Late applications may not be considered

Only shortlisted candidates contacted within four weeks after closing date