Head of Occupational Health & Safety

Head of Occupational Health & Safety 

Type: Full-time, Fixed Term (12 months, possibility of extension) 

Work- Type: On-site & Remote 

Locate: Marystown NL 

Venor is proud to partner with our client, Cermaq Newfoundland, in the recruitment of a Head of Occupation Health & Safety for their Marystown, NL operation.   

About Cermaq  

Cermaq is an international salmon farming company, which prides itself on playing a leadership role in the global sector. We have a team of more than 3500 employees across Chile, Canada and Norway. A committed team that is proud to grow nutritious seafood for a competitive global market. With a long-standing history of operating off the coast of British Columbia, Cermaq recently expanded into Newfoundland and Labrador. 

At Cermaq, you become part of a meaningful and consistently developing workplace. We offer a wide range of job opportunities, where you will be able to grow and learn in a rapidly advancing and dynamic sector. We support our employees’ personal development and make it possible for you to realize new ideas and initiatives. Our culture is informal and dedicated. We are smart people in rubber boots. We care for each other, for the environment and for our communities.   

The Opportunity    

Reporting to the Regional Director, the Head of Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) provides strategic leadership and expertise to continuously enhance the organizations occupational health and safety programs and training across all operations. A hands-on leader, the Head of OHS works with the Occupational Health & Safety Manager to develop proactive safety policies, tools, systems, training and support that are not only compliant but industry leading. 

A passionate advocate for safety, the Head of OHS is regularly present in the field and a champion of a strong culture where safety is a shared responsibility, embedded in everyday operations. This role is responsible for establishingregulatory compliance systems, regular safety audits and the continuous improvement of the risk-based safety management system. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead the continued evolution of the organization’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) program by enhancing and building upon the existing infrastructure, and advancing the organization’s OHS vision and strategy. 

• Working closely with the OHS Manager, provide oversight and direction for the re-development of the Company’s Occupational Health & Safety Management System. 

• Champion and grow a proactive and positive safety culture across all levels of the organization. 

• Ensure regulatory compliance with all applicable provincial and federal OHS requirement including monitoring regulatory developments, emerging risks, and industry best practices. 

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior management, providing strategic guidance on health and safety risks, emerging issues, and organizational priorities including contributing to corporate planning and decision-making. 

• Lead regulatory inspections, serious incident response and audits as required. 

• Provide oversight for the Company’s incident reporting and investigation processes. 

• Develop, enhance and implement the Company’s overall OHS training and competency strategy.  

• Other duties as required. 

Qualifications 

• Degree or diploma in Occupational Health & Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Health & Safety, or related field. 

• Experience in a senior leadership role. 

• Minimum 10 years of progressive safety leadership experience in industrial, marine, aquaculture, or similar operational environments. 

• Experience designing, enhancing and implementing leading safety management systems, training and safety culture initiatives. 

• Experience leading investigations, audits and compliance programs. 

Assets 

• CRSP, CHSC, NCSO, or equivalent professional designation. 

• Experience working within multi-site operations and remote work environments considered an asset. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Strong understanding of occupational health and safety legislation, governance systems, and operational risk management 

• Strong leadership and organizational development capabilities 

• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and influence change. 

• Strong strategic planning, communication, and organizational skills. 

• Excellent incident investigation, root cause analysis, and risk assessment capabilities. 

• Ability to make decisions and provide leadership during emergencies and critical incidents. 

• Strong analytical, reporting, and project management skills. 

• High level of professionalism, judgment, and discretion. 

Employment with Cermaq  

Cermaq is proud to support their employee’s health, wellbeing and work-life balance with competitive compensation, leave entitlements, learning opportunities and supports. 

 

We embrace a culture of belonging in the workplace. No matter who you are, where you’re from, how you think, what you believe in, or who you love, we welcome your application. We all come from different backgrounds and different walks of life, bringing in unique perspectives and experiences. We encourage applications from 2SLGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), women, newcomers to Canada, and people with disabilities. If you require any accommodation in the application and interview process, please let us know (including different materials or otherwise).   

If you are interested in this opportunity, please reach out to Ryan Thistle at rthistle@venor.ca OR Jessica Tibbs at jtibbs@venor.ca