HSE and Operational Excellence Manager

IMC Plantations Limited

Management & Business Development

Company Overview

IMC Plantations Limited (IMCP) is a leading agribusiness in Nigeria with over 50 years of operational experience in oil palm cultivation and processing, and a growing footprint in livestock management. Under the strategic leadership of Oakenshield & Partners Limited, IMCP is undergoing a major transformation and expansion program. Ensuring the health and safety of all personnel, contractors, and stakeholders is a top priority in achieving sustainable growth.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced HSE and Operational Excellence Officer to champion workplace safety and continuous improvement initiatives across plantation, milling, and livestock operations. This dual-capacity role will lead efforts to institutionalize health and safety practices while embedding operational excellence principles to enhance productivity, quality, and cost-efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

Health, Safety and Environment (HSE):

• Develop, implement, and monitor HSE policies, standards, and procedures.
• Conduct routine site inspections, risk assessments, and audits to identify potential hazards and implement corrective actions.
• Lead health and safety training programs for staff, including induction, refresher courses, and emergency response drills.
• Perform regular inspections and risk assessments to ensure compliance with Nigerian safety regulations and international standards.
• Investigate incidents, accidents, and near-misses, documenting root causes and enforcing preventive measures.
• Promote a strong safety culture through continuous employee engagement.
• Maintain HSE records and prepare reports for management and regulatory bodies.
• Drive the implementation and oversight of a structured Permit-to-Work (PTW) system for high-risk and controlled activities.
• Oversee the proper use and availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Monitor contractors and vendors for adherence to site HSE requirements.

Operational Excellence:

• Identify and implement process improvement opportunities across operations.
• Collaborate with department heads to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and efficiency metrics.
• Facilitate continuous improvement programs (e.g., Lean, Kaizen, 5S).
• Analyze production data to identify gaps, inefficiencies, and trends.
• Drive initiatives for waste reduction, quality improvement, and workflow optimization.
Support the training and capacity development of staff in operational best practices.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Industrial Management, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of combined experience in HSE and operational excellence roles within industrial, agricultural, or manufacturing environments.
• NEBOSH, IOSH, or ISPON HSE certification or equivalent is a strong advantage.
• Experience in implementing process improvement frameworks (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM) is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Nigerian safety regulations and international operational standards.
• Experience in plantation, agro-processing, or livestock facility environments preferred.
Certification in First Aid, Fire Safety, or Emergency Response.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• High attention to detail and a proactive mindset.
• Competency in report writing and use of Microsoft Office tools.
• Ability to influence change and foster a culture of safety and efficiency.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

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