Hupac is Europe's leading intermodal network operator, with a transport volume of around 1 million road consignments per year. For over fifty years, we have pioneered innovative and reliable rail transport services, making a key contribution to modal shift and environmental protection.

Hupac's network links the main European economic areas with destinations extending to the Far East. Every day, around 130 Hupac trains with their own rail wagons are on the move, transporting containers, swap bodies, and semi-trailers. We strive to offer flexibility, high service standards, and reliability to our customers.

The Hupac Group comprises 23 companies with locations in Switzerland, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Russia, and China, employing 720 full-time staff.

Hupac Ltd was founded in Chiasso in 1967. The company has around 100 shareholders. The share capital of CHF 20 million is held 71% by logistics and transport companies and 29% by railway companies. This structure ensures close proximity to the market and independence from railway undertakings.

We are hiring a Health & Safety Manager (Group & HQ)

M/W/D, 100%, Chiasso, Switzerland

The Role

The Health & Safety Manager defines the global strategy, vision, and occupational health and safety standards for the entire Group. For this position, we are seeking a professional with a solid command of Health & Safety regulations and several years of experience in a H&S leadership role.

Serving as the central focal point and functional leader internationally, he/she harmonizes safety processes across European sites and steer the network of local safety leads through cross-functional leadership and a structured, methodical approach.

In addition to Group-wide coordination, the role carries direct regulatory and formal responsibility for the Swiss sites, directly overseeing and operationally guiding the local Safety Specialist.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Global Group Coordination (Primary Function)

• Group Vision & Governance: Define and implement the global Health & Safety Policy, establishing guidelines, terminal safety standards, and a common safety language across all Group companies.
• International Safety Network Coordination: Exercise functional supervision over the network of local health & safety leads in foreign subsidiaries, providing strategic, methodological, and regulatory support.
• KPIs, Monitoring & Board Reporting: Develop and maintain a unified Group-wide monitoring and Health & Safety reporting system (incidents, near-misses, corrective actions, audits) to be presented periodically to Executive Management.
• Best Practices & Audits: Promote the sharing of intermodal safety best practices, organizing and conducting compliance and safety audits across all Group locations.

2. Intermodal Terminal Safety & Dangerous Goods

• Operational Safety Standards: Define and harmonize safety protocols for intermodal operations (container handling, shunting/rail operations, human-machine interface, specific PPE).
• Dangerous Goods Management (RID / ADR): Hold the role of Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA - RID/ADR) for the Swiss HQ, and standardize loading, unloading, and storage procedures at Group level.
• Emergency Planning: Establish emergency management protocols and corporate evacuation plans.

3. Swiss Regulatory Oversight & HQ Governance

• Formal Swiss Liaison: Serve as the primary guarantor and point of contact for Swiss authorities and regulatory bodies.
• Local Regulatory Compliance: Ensure full compliance with the Federal Act on Accident Insurance, the Labor Act, and EKAS/CFSL directives for Swiss offices and terminals.
• Specialist Guidance: Directly oversee and coordinate the Safety Specialist, delegating operational field activities (site inspections, operational audits, local training delivery).

4. Occupational Health & Occupational Medicine

• Health Promotion: Drive corporate health and well-being programs for administrative staff (ergonomics, psychosocial risks, remote working) and operational personnel (shift management, fatigue, microclimate).
• Health Surveillance & RCA: Oversee occupational health surveillance for the Swiss sites and lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for work accidents and occupational diseases, promoting preventive and corrective actions globally.

1. Education & Certifications

• Academic Background: Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Environmental, Management, Civil) or equivalent technical disciplines.
• Regulatory Background: Solid training and hands-on experience in Italian Health & Safety legislation (e.g., Legislative Decree 81/08, RSPP/ASPP or equivalent qualifications), considered a key asset for the methodological rigor required by the Group.
• Local Qualifications: Occupational Health and Safety Specialist EKAS / CFSL / MSSL or willingness to promptly obtain equivalent recognition/requirements for Switzerland.
• Dangerous Goods: Certification/qualification as a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (RID / ADR).

2. Professional Experience

• International Experience: Proven track record in coordinating international matrix organizations or overseas subsidiaries within structured environments.
• Operational Industry: At least 5 years of experience in Health & Safety in Italy, with a solid background in high-risk operational sectors (intermodal logistics, rail/port terminals, transport, or heavy industry).
• Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of the Italian legal framework and a strong understanding/management of Swiss safety regulations and dynamics.

3. Language & Personal Skills

• Languages: The ideal candidate is fluent in Italian, English and German. Fluency in two of the three languages is a must.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Strong ability to influence, engage, and lead local safety counterparts without direct hierarchical authority.
• Pragmatism & Mediation: Strong problem-solving mindset, pragmatism, and the ability to strike the right balance between regulatory rigor and operational business needs.

We offer

Hupac offers you a career opportunity and the chance to work in an ambitious, dynamic and professional organisation. Each individual contributes to the overall success of Hupac and we encourage professional responsibility, commitment and togetherness for the benefit of our company, our employees and our customers.

Interested?

Apply for this vacancy