Regional Head of Health & Safety (US & Canada)

Job Title: Regional Head of Health & Safety (US & Canada)

Job Location: Chicago, Illinois

DHL Global Forwarding manages the flow of goods and information across a customer's global supply chain utilizing air/ocean/ground transportation, customs brokerage services, and dedicated warehousing/distribution centers. We are part of DHL Group, the world's leading logistics provider with operations in over 220 countries. Visit our career site on the web at http://www.dhl-usa.com/en/careers/jobs.html

Job Purpose

The role of the Regional Head of Health & Safety is to lead the strategic direction and execution of the company's "Safety First" strategy across the region's countries. The role ensures the implementation of a consistent Health & Safety Management System that protects employees, ensures legal compliance, and supports operational excellence. Working through a matrix structure, the role provides guidance to country safety managers and representatives, driving alignment and continuous improvement. By collaborating with regional and local leadership, the role enhances safety culture, mitigates risks, and reduces incidents across logistics operations including warehousing, transport, and freight, reinforcing safety as a core organizational value.

Accountabilities

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of the ISO 45001 certified Health & Safety Management System (HSMS) in alignment with DGF's Global Health & Safety Management System, guidance and standards across the region.

• Provide strategic guidance and operational support to country managers and safety leads to ensure safe working environments and practices.

• Respond to and escalate critical safety concerns raised by employees or management, ensuring timely and appropriate actions.

• Advise regional leadership on emerging Health & Safety (H&S) legislation, standards, and practices with clear impact assessments.

• Oversee the regional risk assessment program, support country teams with training, guidance, and tools for high-risk activities.

• Support the development and implementation of Safe Systems of Work (SSoW) based on risk assessments and operational feedback.

• Proactively identify, prioritize, and act on critical safety issues, ensuring appropriate escalation and resource allocation.

• Collaborate with Human Resources in developing a health and wellbeing culture for employees.

• Intervene and take immediate action to cease unsafe work activities where imminent danger exists.

• Manage the implementation and operates the applicable on-line safety management platform to ensure compliance with the DGF Global Safety Management System.

• Escalate significant risks, trends, and safety incidents to regional and global management with recommendations.

• Lead and coordinate the regional safety audit program, including planning, execution, reporting, and follow-up.

• Develop, implement, and review a region-wide safety training framework; ensure country-level execution.

• Recognize limitations of internal expertise and engage qualified specialists as required to manage complex risks.

• Develop, implement, and track the annual Regional Safety Plan in alignment with global safety objectives.

• Liaise and maintaining a good relationship and open communication with local and enforcing authorities, including the emergency services where required.

• Ensure accurate, timely reporting and analysis of incident and accident data across the region.

• Align all country operations with DGF's Global and Regional safety policies and initiatives.

• Disseminate regular safety performance updates and regional summaries to executive stakeholders.

• Analyse incident data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities.

• Establish and maintain a functional safety governance structure, including regional and country-level safety committees.

• Facilitate cross-country knowledge sharing, best practice exchange, and support for local safety initiatives.

• Champion a strong safety culture by leading engagement campaigns and modelling safety leadership behaviour.

• Engage with key clients and stakeholders (internal and/or external) on health and safety matters to build trust and operational credibility.

• Ensure compliance with FMCSA, OSHA, EPA, DOT, and other regulatory bodies, conducting regular audits and assessments.

• Set, monitor and review safety KPIs aligned with DGF's global safety strategy.

• Set Regional KPI targets aligned with DGF Global Safety KPIs.

• Knowledge of ISO45001 Health and Safety Standard and its application.

People Management

• Communicate effectively across all levels of the organization, from frontline teams to executive leadership.
• Influence behavioural and cultural change to improve health and safety performance.
• Demonstrate strong cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills, fostering collaboration in a multi-national, diverse environment.
• Build strong working relationships with country H&S leads, business unit managers and other key stakeholders.
• Provide leadership, coaching and development for country-level H&S professionals.

Experience/Qualification Requirements

• Diploma or degree in health & safety
• At least 7 years in Health & Safety Management in private sector in which at least 3 years at senior management level
• Experience and Strong knowledge of OSHA, EPA, DOT, and industry-specific safety regulations.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Safety Management Professional (SMP).
• ISO 45001 Lead/Internal Auditor
• Understanding of safety management techniques e.g. ISO 45001, HSG65, Behavioural Safety Programmes
• Understanding the different countries across the region, particularly cultural variation.
• The ability to adapt to different legal requirements
• Working with different levels of management team.
• Ability to influence change in all levels of the organization
• Preferable with exposure to safety management in other regional countries

Pay Range: $130,011.75 - $173,349.00+ (Based on Experience)