Assistant Manager - Social Sustainability and Compliance

Assistant Manager ‐ Social Sustainability and Compliance

Based at MAS Fabric Park, Thulhiriya

MAS Fabric Park is Sri Lanka's first and only privately owned apparel intensive free trade zone. Its operations focus primarily on the development and value addition of fabrics. The Park spans across a sprawling 110 acres in Thulhiriya and Giriulla, playing a strategic role in the vertical integration of the MAS supply chain as well as leading critical sustainability targets.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, review, and continuously improve the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Policies.
• Establish and implement Occupational Health & Safety processes and annual safety plans, including HIRACs (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Control), training programs, mock drills, inspections, monitoring activities, and follow-ups.
• Ensure compliance with all local legal, regulatory, and organizational Occupational Health & Safety requirements and standards.
• Support the implementation and maintenance of Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems and related certifications.
• Coordinate and facilitate internal and external Occupational Health & Safety audits and ensure closure of audit findings within agreed timelines.
• Conduct regular compliance inspections and identify gaps against safety standards, implementing corrective and preventive actions accordingly.
• Promote achievement of Occupational Health & Safety objectives and targets.
• Ensure employees, contractors, and third-party workers comply with defined Occupational Health & Safety procedures, work instructions, and permit-to-work requirements.
• Monitor implementation of safety alerts, corrective actions, and preventive measures across all facilities.
• Conduct toolbox talks and safety awareness programs for employees, contractors, and visitors.
• Develop and execute Occupational Health & Safety training plans and ensure competency requirements are completed according to established schedules.
• Carry out safety observations, task observations, workplace inspections, and behavioral safety programs to identify and mitigate hazards.
• Report, investigate, and follow up on safety incidents, near misses, unsafe acts, and unsafe conditions.
• Maintain and promote a positive safety culture while ensuring a strong safety performance record.
• Manage visitor safety processes, including verification, registration, escorting, and communication of site safety requirements.
• Conduct or support employee safety inductions, accident prevention programs, and incident investigations.
• Organize and facilitate monthly Occupational Health & Safety Forums with plant representatives and stakeholders to discuss compliance, safety performance, sustainability initiatives, and improvement opportunities.
• Prepare and circulate meeting minutes, action trackers, and follow-up reports from Occupational Health & Safety forums and committee meetings.
• Conduct periodic inspections and testing of active and passive fire protection systems to ensure operational readiness.
• Ensure compliance with organizational standards related to Standard Operating Procedures, Health & Safety, Compliance, Environmental requirements, and Lean practices.
• Develop, maintain, test, and continuously improve emergency response and business continuity plans.
• Organize and conduct emergency drills and simulations to ensure preparedness for potential emergencies.
• Deliver and coordinate occupational health and safety competency programs, including:
  • Fire Safety Training
  • Fire Drills
  • First Aid Training
  • Working at Height Training
  • Hot Work Training
  • PPE Usage Training
  • Medical Awareness Programs
  • General Safety Awareness Programs
• Maintain all safety-related records, certifications, training documentation, permits, and compliance reports.
• Implement and administer Permit-to-Work systems and ensure compliance across all operations.
• Conduct risk assessments, hazard identification exercises, compliance surveys, and workplace safety audits.
• Identify operational risks and recommend practical mitigation measures and corrective actions.
• Review existing safety controls, risk mitigation strategies, and business processes to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Prepare periodic and ad-hoc risk, compliance, and safety performance reports for management review.
• Lead and support remediation initiatives arising from audits, inspections, incident investigations, and risk assessments.
• Drive continuous improvement projects related to health, safety, compliance, operational risk, and sustainability.
• Develop, review, maintain, audit, and improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety documentation.
• Analyze operational processes and safety data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Prepare dashboards, visual reports, and management presentations on safety, compliance, risk management, and operational performance.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Degree in Science, Engineering, Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Risk Management, or a related field.
• International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.
• Lead Auditor certification in ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 and Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001 Management Systems.
• Knowledge in Audits (Social, Legal & Certification Audits & Management Systems).
• Analytical and conceptual thinking with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of Principles of Sustainability
• Knowledge of Lifecycle environmental impact assessment.
• Knowledge of National and International Law and Compliance Standards.
• Negotiation and Influencing Skills.
• Strong numerical and statistical skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Sinhala.