HSE&S Advisor

Job Purpose

The HSE&S Advisor role exists to provide expert Health, Safety, Environment, and Sustainability leadership at the site level, ensuring safe, compliant, and sustainable operations. The position builds HSE capability within line management by embedding AkzoNobel safety processes, policies, and culture into daily activities. It guides and influences leaders and employees to identify, manage, and reduce hazards associated with high-risk materials and operations. The role fulfills the need for consistent regulatory compliance, effective hazard control, and continuous improvement in HSE performance. Through strong advisory, field-based, and strategic contributions, the position supports alignment with corporate HSE strategy and drives progress toward higher HSE maturity across the site.

Key Responsibilities

1. Processes – Build Line Management Understanding of Safety Processes (20%)

• Tasks: Serve as a trusted and influential advisor to line management by developing a strong understanding of AkzoNobel Safety Core Processes (people and process safety) and relevant sub-processes such as behavior-based safety, industrial hygiene, hazard studies, asset integrity, environmental management, and distribution safety. Strengthen site capability in managing high-hazard materials and controls by delivering HSE training, conducting internal audits, and leading or supporting incident investigations.
• Results: Site management demonstrates safety process knowledge in line with company expectations.

2. Capability – Leverage HSE Expertise to Support Own Unit and Others (20%)

• Tasks: Act as an effective HSE advisor by continuously expanding and applying HSE expertise through active participation in AkzoNobel Safety Common Platform deployment, HSE Faculty learning programs, local regulatory trainings (NRs), and HSE&S inductions for employees and contractors. Support site capability through audits, incident investigations, training activities, and ongoing personal functional development.Results: HSE capability of site management meets company standards and expectations.

3. Delivery – Guide Line Management to Deliver HSE Policy, Set Culture, and Manage Hazards (10%)

• Tasks: Support and guide line management in the development and effective implementation of site HSE policies, plans, and practices in alignment with AkzoNobel HSE Policies, Directives, Rules, and Procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements. Partner with leadership to strengthen safety culture and hazard management. Participate in HSE&S site inspections and coordinate key safety initiatives such as Safety Day, Safety Stand Down, Compliance activities, PPRA, LTCAT, ergonomic assessments, and related programs.
• Results: Effective HSE management system in place with full compliance to local regulations.

4. Improvement – Act as a Role Model for Compliance and Commitment (10%)

• Tasks: Engage regularly with employees and serve as a visible role model for compliance with and commitment to AkzoNobel HSE policies, procedures, and risk tolerance criteria. Manage corrective actions arising from legislative compliance requirements. Own and maintain SAQ elements, PSM Building Blocks, and HSE KPI reporting. Actively participate in the site Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) program and support internal and external audits through timely completion of action plans.
• Results: Measurable progress toward a leading level of HSE maturity.

5. Strategy – Contribute to the HSE Strategy in Own Unit (10%)

• Tasks: Support the deployment and execution of the site HSE strategy, ensuring effective design, implementation, and delivery of AkzoNobel HSE policies, directives, procedures, and the Safety Common Platform. Ensure alignment of site objectives, performance, and initiatives with regional and corporate HSE strategies.
• Results: Strong alignment of site HSE strategy with the next organizational level.

6. Other – Perform Field HSE Tasks and Functions as Required by the Specialized Service in Safety Engineering and Occupational Medicine (SESMT) (30%)

• Tasks: Execute and maintain site HSE processes in accordance with local regulatory requirements, including training delivery, life-critical procedures, permit-to-work systems, industrial hygiene programs, contractor management, emergency response preparedness, and ongoing compliance with applicable standards and legal requirements.
• Results: Continuous safety improvement, regulatory compliance, and consistent application of HSE procedures.

Level of Autonomy

Site level

1. Policy / strategy
   • Level I: Formulates guidelines and procedures and implements standards for functional discipline
2. Influencing skills
   • Level I: Is able to explain and convince internal and external parties about chosen solutions based on content-driven arguments ;is able to achieve high people engagement and teambuilding
3. HSE agenda
   • Level I: Signals non-compliance to the HSE agenda (1 - 2 years ahead)
   • Level II: Significantly contributes to one specific area of HSE agenda (2 years ahead)
4. HSE processes
   • Level I: Has basic knowledge of and executes and checks performance of HSE processes on site level within defined HSE framework
   • Level II: Has good knowledge of and signs off processes within own HSE discipline taking into account the relation with other disciplines on Site level within defined HSE framework

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in HSE&S, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Safety Technician certification required
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant HSE experience, preferably in industrial or manufacturing environments.
• Prior experience with hazardous materials, high-risk processes, and a strong understanding of applicable regulations is preferred.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and execution skills with the ability to influence, engage, and drive continuous improvement across HSE processes and standards.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, including negotiation, problem-solving, project management, and fluency in written and spoken English.