EHS Manager, Frankfurt, Germany

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

About Vantage Data Centres

Vantage Data Centres powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across multiple markets in Europe, North America and APAC, Vantage has evolved data centre design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Department

The EHS team is responsible for collaborating with Operations, Contractors, Vendors, Construction and various regulatory agencies to ensure the health, safety, and environmental risks of the company are protected and that everyone enjoys a safe and healthful workplace. At Vantage, health, safety, and environmental protection are a core value that guides everything we do. By leveraging every individual that works at Vantage to lean into safety initiatives, and by executing the executive mandate that Vantage will place safety at the forefront of everything we do, our employees and those we work with enjoy a safety culture that is deeply ingrained and expects excellence in safety. This excellence is achieved through constant vigilance, planning, training, measurement, and cooperation, all of which is aligned with operational and construction activities and goals.

Position Overview

Vantage is seeking an Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Manager to join our Frankfurt, Germany campus. At this campus, we currently have operational data centres and the construction of new facilities. The EHS Manager will work with the regional EMEA EHS team and local Data Centre Operational teams to support the development and implementation of world-class environmental, health and safety system to keep all operational activities to the highest EHS standards that meet Customer and Vantage requirements.

Position Description

You will be responsible for improving the health and safety of our Data Centres, advancing safety culture, and protecting our employees. You will work closely with experts in operations, security, construction, logistics, compliance, corporate counsel, and human resources to further Vantage’s health safety program. You will partner with employees as well as contractors to achieve health and safety goals and improve our already strong safety culture. As Vantage increases data capacity you will partner with operational teams to ensure risks are identified and mitigated. You will work in a fast-paced environment where our operations are rapidly changing, advocating safe changes in the face of new infrastructure, new tools, and new products / processes. Vantage is a leader in operational excellence and this position is pivotal to ensuring that we continue to lead the industry in this area with particular emphasis on executing and reporting on all EHS areas within the business. The role requires autonomy and will be responsible for implementing and monitoring processes that include:

• Electrical Safety (Energized Electrical Work, Arc Flash, NPFA 70E)
• Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout), including familiarity of EU-OSHA
• Occupational Noise Exposure & Control
• Heat Stress & Illness Prevention
• Exposure Assessment (Industrial Hygiene)
• Emergency Response Planning
• Working at Heights
• Confined Space Entry
• Heavy Material Handling
• Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklifts)
• Construction-Related Risks (Cranes/Rigging, Trenching/Shoring, Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs), etc.)
• Fire/Life Safety
• Hazardous Substances Handling
• Waste Management
• Ergonomics
• Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC)
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation methodology
• 3rd Party Safety Supplier Management

Essential Job Functions

• Implement health and safety standards and principles, policies, and practices including but not limited to; safety management systems, training, risk assessments, assist with industrial hygiene assessments, and applicable safety regulations.
• Conduct health and safety audits of operational Data Centres and active construction sites to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements as well as life safety requirements
• Ensure compliance and implementation of national and international health and safety programs that exceed regulatory requirements.
• Develop and/or review health and safety plans for on-site emergencies, business continuity, and other unique events.
• Maintain adequate safety record keeping and data integrity.
• Perform data trend analysis to present to cluster leadership to support business and safety initiatives.
• Consult and partner with the VDC compliance team for interpretations and guidance.
• Identify risks and partner with Operations to remediate via the hierarchy of controls.
• Daily interactions with our customers delivering health and safety guidance.

Duties

• Report to Vantage Data Centres Director, EHS – EMEA and serve as the primary contact for the implementation of the EHS programs across our locations.
• Collaborate with EHS Director – EMEA to ensure standardization of policies and procedures, as applicable, across the European footprint of locations
• Being accountable for EHS performance metrics and implementation of annual improvement plans.
• Periodically inspecting, auditing, and reviewing safe work practices to ensure compliance with regulations and company policies.
• Conduct workplace risk/exposure assessments for various classes of hazards.
• Supporting incident investigations and root cause analysis, so that corrective and preventive actions can be identified, communicated globally, and implemented.
• Conducting/delivering regulatory training programs to meet EHS requirements.
• Monitor, interpret and communicate summaries of standards and regulatory requirements to assure compliance and proactive management of risk.
• Analyses safety metrics and communicates results to leadership to drive action and accountability.
• Work with leaders, staff, and contractors at all levels to implement effective solutions.
• Drive a standardized and harmonized approach across the Vantage European portfolio to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Present topical information/metrics on a regular basis to site leadership teams as well as Director EHS – EMEA

Duties and Responsibilities

• Will be responsible to lead the implementation of Vantage EHS programs across the campus.
• Develop cross function relationships with the facility operations team and construction team.
• Advise, support, and ensure local regulatory and other requirements comply with both operations and construction projects.
• Advise, and support on all EHS related matters for both operation and construction.
• Develop campus specific plans for the implementation of Vantage EHS programs.
• Identify, develop / source required EHS training for onsite employees and contingent workers and maintain accurate training records.
• Assist EHS Director in the development and implementation of organization wide EHS standards and guidelines.
• Work with the Campus Operations Director and Principle of Facilities to ensure EHS requirements are in place and complied within day-to-day activities.
• Work with the construction Project Director to ensure that the appointed General contractors have implemented and maintained EHS standards that meet/exceeds Vantage expectations.
• Support/lead accident and incident investigations. Ensure that all accidents and incidents are reported, investigated, and recorded in a timely manner.
• Review work procedures to assign risk levels and review risk controls established.
• Ensure Vantage High Risk Activities are effectively planned, controlled, and managed.
• Prepare weekly / monthly reports. Reviewing data integrity and confirming weekly and monthly statistics accuracy.
• Carry out daily/weekly/monthly EHS inspections for both operational facilities and construction projects.
• Where practicable implement best practices and lessons learnt, across the project/s, based on previous experience and knowledge inclusive of Vantage requirements.
• Carry out periodic EHS audits as per Vantage requirements.
• Conduct weekly/monthly EHS meetings with different stakeholders and maintain records.
• Development of EHS initiatives and campaigns.
• Contractor and supplier assessment where applicable.

Job Requirements

• Board of Certified Health and Safety Professionals (BCSP), NEBOSH Diploma, Occupational Health certification or equivalent national / internationally recognized EHS qualification or certification.
• Relevant Health & Safety Membership of a recognised organisation (e.g., the Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH); preferably at Graduate/Chartered status.
• A minimum of 5+ years of progressive experience in EHS is required, with demonstrated knowledge and experience controlling the broad spectrum of risks across multiple sites.
• Must have current working knowledge of EU-OSHA regulations and standards and other non-regulatory safety standards applicable to the location
• Must have familiarity with consensus standards such as those published by ANSI / NFPA / DGUV / BG Bau (for Germany)
• Effective ability to operate beyond a compliance-based health and safety management approach in order to collaborate with all stakeholders to find solutions that support the business while identifying and controlling risk
• Role requires a self-starter, a skilled and confident communicator, adept at influencing at all levels

Note: This is a site-based role, and the candidate is required to be on site 4 to 5 days a week.

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don’t meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.