Health and Safety Specialist

Element Six is a global leader in the design, development and production of synthetic diamond and tungsten carbide supermaterials. Part of the De Beers Group, we employ over 1,700 people.  Our primary manufacturing sites are located in the USA, UK, Ireland, Germany and South Africa.

Job overview

A fantastic opportunity to lead the Health, Safety, Environment, and Sustainability agenda for two world class manufacturing sites in Gresham, OR and Santa Clara, CA. The role will be primarily based at our site in Gresham with flexibility required for occasional travel to Santa Clara.

We are seeking an experienced health, safety and sustainability lead to support world class risk management as well as continually improving a safe working culture; ensuring we live by our values and Put Safety First.

The successful candidate will lead health, safety, environmental and sustainability compliance, improvement and risk reduction projects as well as ensuring delivery of group wide health, safety and sustainability goals.

Duties and tasks

Leadership & Governance

• Reporting to the General Manager; accountable for the safe, compliant, and sustainable operation of two world class manufacturing plants.
• Provide visible felt HSE leadership and guidance across the sites.
• Act as a role model for Element Six values and drive a proactive / inherent health, safety and sustainability culture.

​​​​​​​Compliance & Management Systems

• Ensure and maintain certification to ISO 9001, 45001, 14001, 50001.
• Ensure all health, safety and environmental permits are implemented and complied with.
• Identify and engage interested parties including staff, customers, suppliers authorities and contractors.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve the Integrated Management System (IMS).
• Monitor regulatory changes, industry trends, and stakeholder expectations to maintain compliance.
• Ensure ongoing compliance at site level to group technical standards and procedures.
• Ensure timely, accurate health, safety, environmental reporting.
• Provide HSE related training and maintain training schedules.

Risk, Incident and Controls Management

• Proactively identify and manage health, safety and environmental risks.
• Ensure the sites emergency preparedness and response processes are in place and effective.
• Lead investigations into health, safety and environmental incidents and near misses and participate in learning and sharing activities across the group; ensuring no repeats.
• Ensure on time and in full close out of control verifications, corrective actions, leadership engagements
• Lead site internal and facilitate external risk assurance and compliance audits.

Sustainability & Improvement

• Lead the site's sustainability agenda across energy, emissions, and resource management.
• Drive HSE related digitalisation, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Set, track and report on site HSE objectives.

Experience and Qualifications

• Engineering/technical degree or equivalent experience preferred
• Manufacturing‑based HSE / sustainability experience.
• Strong background in developing and managing ISO‑certified management systems.
• Internal Auditor qualification preferred.
• OHST / ASP or equivalent occupational health and safety accreditation preferred.
• Strong understanding of engineering, plant operations, and technical processes.

Leadership & Behaviours

• Effective cross‑functional and stakeholder management.
• Strong problem‑solving mindset with a proactive, positive approach.
• Able to operate autonomously as an individual contributor, managing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Passion for customer focus, continuous improvement and business excellence.