Director Health & Safety EMEA (m/w/d)

Knauf stands for opportunity. This exciting role offers you the ideal opportunity to begin and further develop an impressive career within a values-driven culture.

As a global building materials manufacturer with around 43,500 employees in over 90 countries, we offer diverse opportunities to ambitious talent. We value every contribution and are committed to creating a safe and inclusive work environment with the aim of developing sustainable solutions for a better future.

Knauf Gips KG is proud to be a part of the Knauf Group. With a long-standing tradition, and a growing international presence, we are seeking dedicated individuals to help us achieve our long-term vision.

The Knauf Group is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment and make all personnel decisions across all areas based on experience, skills, and integrity. We encourage applicants from all walks of life to apply for our positions, regardless of age, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, origin, religion, and so forth.

Can you say ‘yes’?

• Is respectful and appreciative interaction within the team a given for you?
• Do you always put the customer at the center of your actions?
• Do you consider the future and upcoming generations in your actions?
• Do you strive for personal and professional growth?

What you'll do

• Lead and elevate EMEA safety leadership — mentoring H&S professionals and management, building strong talent pipelines, and ensuring gapless, region-wide training for technical, organizational, and regulatory competence.
• Own H&S strategy and governance—deploy policies and Group Safety Standards across EMEA in line with corporate goals and regional regulations, staying ahead of evolving Knauf and legal requirements.
• Safeguard compliance end-to-end—oversee Risk Management and high-risk operations across plants and offices; drive audits, process/equipment reviews, site inspections, and site compliance activities to eliminate and reduce risk.
• Drive incident excellence and continuous improvement—lead SIF investigations, deliver corrective/preventive actions, benchmark across EMEA, and share best practices to elevate performance and embed proactive risk reduction.
• Make decisions with data and deep expertise—analyze safety metrics and trends, interpret internal/external regulations, apply industry standards across key programs (Plant/Warehouse Safety, PME), and partner with Corporate H&S as a trusted thought leader while managing multiple initiatives for stakeholders.

Who you are

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (Engineering or Safety Management) with recognized H&S credentials (e.g. CSP, CIH, NEBOSH, SiFa or similar); auditor training preferred.
• 15+ years of HSE leadership in global, heavy‑process environments (mining/process/heavy industry), with a proven record of driving cultural change across cross‑divisional, multicultural organizations.
• Broad, hands‑on technical depth across LOTOTO, Electrical Safety, MOC, Risk Assessment, Emergency Preparedness, and Machine Safety—translating strategy into practical, shop‑floor solutions.
• Deep command of H&S regulations, standards, and best practices; strong analytical problem‑solver experienced in comprehensive risk assessments, audits, and incident investigations.
• Exceptional communicator and people leader—clear writer and presenter for all audiences; adept at organizing, motivating, and leading diverse teams, collaborating cross‑functionally, and designing and delivering impactful training programs.

What we offer you

• Security: Permanent employment contract in a stable, successful family‑owned company.
• Flexibility: 30 days of vacation, special leave for certain occasions, flexitime account with a broad time window for flexible working and weekly home office days.
• Fitness and health: Discounts on various sports and leisure activities (e.g., fitness studio Iphofen, swimming training, soccer, etc.), as well as opportunities for active health promotion through our company doctor and occupational health and safety offers.
• Daily time savings: Ample parking and direct access to public transport from the company premises (train, bus).
• Future planning: Subsidies for capital‑forming benefits and offers for company pension schemes.
• Welcome approach: Individual onboarding days, company and team events, subsidized company canteen and our Barista coffee bar.
• Career and professional development: Individual support and promotion for part‑time studies, further education and training.
• Benefits and vouchers: Discounts on well‑known brands and reduced‑price employee purchases.
• E‑Bike leasing: Using tax advantages while promoting your own health.
• Relocation support: Assistance with international relocation.

Location

Department: Produktion & Technik

Location: Iphofen

Work arrangement: Hybrid (in person, home)