Background

Our client, a distinguished leader within Zambia’s food manufacturing industry, is seeking a seasoned Safety Officer with strong experience in Zambia’s FMCG sector. The ideal candidate will be responsible for leading occupational health and safety programs, ensuring compliance with Zambian statutory requirements, and strengthening the overall safety culture across all operational areas including production, warehousing, fleet, and utilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure regulatory compliance with laws including the Occupational Health & Safety Act, ZEMA regulations, Factory Act, and Workers Compensation requirements
• Oversee critical control measures for areas such as boilers, ammonia refrigeration systems, electrical rooms, conveyors, mixers, and chemical storage areas
• Lead investigations of major incidents and near‑misses using recognized techniques (e.g., root cause analysis, 5-Why, fishbone)
• Prepare high-level incident reports for management and statutory reporting where required
• Develop and deliver customized training including manual handling, fire safety, chemical handling, working at heights, confined space entry, and first aid awareness
• Develop and coordinate emergency response plans aligned to emergency preparedness guidelines
• Lead fire drills, spill response drills, and evacuation exercises
• Monitor and enforce safety in production, warehousing, quality control labs, utilities, and distribution fleet operations
• Ensure safe storage, handling, and disposal of raw materials and production chemicals in line with ZEMA requirements
• Enforce PPE standards and ensure adequate stock levels
• Maintain accurate safety records, permits, registers, training logs, and statutory compliance documentation
• Prepare monthly safety performance reports, dashboards, and compliance updates for management.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health, Industrial Safety, or related field
• 5 - 10 years of experience in FMCG or heavy manufacturing within Zambia
• Strong understanding of Zambian environmental regulations, and safety compliance frameworks
• Experience with safety management standards
• Demonstrated ability to engage government inspectors and handle regulatory compliance matters.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and coaching ability
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• High-level analytical and problem‑solving capability
• Strong documentation, reporting, and data analysis skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced FMCG environment
• Proactive and hands‑on approach to operational safety

• Ensure regulatory compliance with laws including the Occupational Health & Safety Act, ZEMA regulations, Factory Act, and Workers Compensation requirements
• Oversee critical control measures for areas such as boilers, ammonia refrigeration systems, electrical rooms, conveyors, mixers, and chemical storage areas
• Lead investigations of major incidents and near‑misses using recognized techniques (e.g., root cause analysis, 5-Why, fishbone)
• Prepare high-level incident reports for management and statutory reporting where required
• Develop and deliver customized training including manual handling, fire safety, chemical handling, working at heights, confined space entry, and first aid awareness
• Develop and coordinate emergency response plans aligned to emergency preparedness guidelines
• Lead fire drills, spill response drills, and evacuation exercises
• Monitor and enforce safety in production, warehousing, quality control labs, utilities, and distribution fleet operations
• Ensure safe storage, handling, and disposal of raw materials and production chemicals in line with ZEMA requirements
• Enforce PPE standards and ensure adequate stock levels
• Maintain accurate safety records, permits, registers, training logs, and statutory compliance documentation
• Prepare monthly safety performance reports, dashboards, and compliance updates for management.

• Strong leadership and coaching ability
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• High-level analytical and problem‑solving capability
• Strong documentation, reporting, and data analysis skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced FMCG environment
• Proactive and hands‑on approach to operational safety

• Degree or Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health, Industrial Safety, or related field
• 5 - 10 years of experience in FMCG or heavy manufacturing within Zambia
• Strong understanding of Zambian environmental regulations, and safety compliance frameworks
• Experience with safety management standards
• Demonstrated ability to engage government inspectors and handle regulatory compliance matters.