Job Description

The Senior Specialist - HSE at AD Ports Group’s Abu Dhabi Food Hub is responsible for leading and overseeing all aspects of health, safety, and environmental (HSE) compliance, as well as quality assurance initiatives within the Economic Cities & Free Zones Cluster.

This role plays a critical part in establishing, implementing, and maintaining the Integrated Management System (IMS) along the Business Process Manager and Operations Leaders, ensuring that all operational protocols meet both internal standards and external regulatory requirements. The specialist will act as the primary point of contact for certification audits and authority relevant interactions, driving continuous improvement and fostering a culture of compliance and quality throughout the division.

The Senior Specialist - HSE will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, authorities and clients to review, update, and enforce protocols, policies, and procedures. This role demands a proactive approach to identifying risks, leading corrective actions, and ensuring that the Food Hub maintains the highest standards of safety, quality, and sustainability. Success in this position is measured by the achievement of certifications, audit outcomes, and the ongoing enhancement of documented operational excellence.

Core Responsibilities:

Quality Assurance & IMS Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain the Integrated Management System (IMS) and specific Food Related for the Food Hub.
• Review and update quality protocols, procedures, and documentation in line with best practices and regulatory requirements and aligning with Operational Needs.
• Conduct weekly audits of sanitation protocols, document findings, and implement corrective actions as needed. Establishes Dashboards and KPIs.

Compliance & Health, Safety, Environment (HSE)

• Act as main point 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 along 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 as per the standards

Certification & Audit Management

• Coordinate and lead all external and internal certification audits (e.g., ISO, HACCP, etc.).
• 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.

Educational and Technical Qualifications:

• Integrated Management System (IMS) implementation (Advanced)
• Quality assurance and control particular for Food (ISO22000, HACCP, etc.) (Advanced)
• Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) compliance (Advanced)
• Audit management and documentation (Advanced)
• Risk assessment and corrective action planning (Intermediate)

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Environmental Science, Industrial Engineering, or related field.

Advanced degree in Quality Management, Environmental Management, or related field will be a plus.

Language Skills:

• English (Mandatory)
• Arabic (Good to have)

Years of Experience:

• 5 years of experience in Quality assurance, HSE, or compliance in logistics/food/industrial sectors

Nature of Experience:

• Quality assurance, HSE, or compliance in logistics/food/industrial sectors