Senior Specialist - HSE

Role Overview

Senior Specialist - HSE at AD Ports Group, Abu Dhabi Food Hub, Abu Dhabi.

Role Purpose

Lead and oversee all aspects of health, safety, and environmental (HSE) compliance and quality assurance initiatives within the Economic Cities & Free Zones Cluster. Establish, implement, and maintain the Integrated Management System (IMS) alongside the Business Process Manager and Operations Leaders, ensuring all operational protocols meet internal standards and external regulatory requirements. Act as the primary point of contact for certification audits and authority interactions while driving continuous improvement and fostering a culture of compliance and quality throughout the division.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Assurance & IMS Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain the Integrated Management System (IMS) and food-related systems for the Food Hub.
• Review and update quality protocols, procedures, and documentation in line with best practices and regulatory requirements, aligning with operational needs.
• Conduct weekly audits of sanitation protocols, document findings, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Establish dashboards and key performance indicators (KPIs) for quality monitoring.

Compliance & Health, Safety, Environment

• Act as the main point of contact with authorities as Food Safety and Hygiene Officer.
• Lead the implementation and monitoring of HSE compliance programs and initiatives.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and ensure corrective actions are implemented with HSE team members.
• Stay up to date with local and international regulations affecting food safety, environmental, and occupational health standards.
• Coordinate with vendors to ensure timely availability of cleaning and sanitation supplies and services according to established standards.

Certification & Audit Management

• Coordinate and lead all external and internal certification audits (including ISO, HACCP, and others).
• Act as the main liaison with certification bodies and regulatory authorities.
• Prepare audit documentation and ensure timely closure of audit findings.

Training & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and deliver training programs on quality, HSE, and compliance topics for staff.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Lead initiatives to enhance employee awareness and engagement in quality and compliance matters.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, authorities, and clients to review, update, and enforce protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Take a proactive approach to identifying risks and leading corrective actions.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Environmental Science, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• Advanced degree in Quality Management, Environmental Management, or related field (preferred).
• 5 years of experience in quality assurance, HSE, or compliance in logistics, food, or industrial sectors.
• Advanced knowledge of Integrated Management System (IMS) implementation.
• Advanced knowledge of quality assurance and control specific to food (ISO 22000, HACCP, etc.).
• Advanced knowledge of health, safety, and environmental (HSE) compliance.
• Advanced knowledge of audit management and documentation.
• Intermediate knowledge of risk assessment and corrective action planning.

Skills & Competencies

• English (mandatory).
• Arabic (good to have).