Regional Transport HSSE Specialist

Function:

The Regional HSSE Transport & Supplier Lead is responsible for the governance, standardization, and HSSE assurance of Puma Energy Africa transport and third-party contractor operations. Managing the company’s highest-exposure risk profiles—including road transport networks, marine/pipeline interfaces, and high-risk on-site suppliers—the role provides critical tactical advice to country and regional leaders. The incumbent will champion initiatives that advance transport and contractor safety culture in alignment with the Puma Energy Global HSSE Vision and Regional HSSE Strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

Transport & Supplier HSSE Governance and Standardization

• Design, implement and enforce a unified Road Transport HSSE Management System across all countries of operation.
• Establish and maintain regional protocols covering journey management, route risk assessments, night driving controls, driver fatigue management, and In-Vehicle Monitoring Systems (IVMS) to ensure consistent transport safety standards across third-party tanker and light-vehicle fleets.

Supplier & Contractor Qualification

• Develop and manage HSSE pre-qualification frameworks for onboarding transport companies, engineering contractors, and high-risk service providers / suppliers.
• Oversee country and site-specific contractor / supplier bridging documents, tender HSSE evaluations, and ongoing performance reviews to ensure third parties consistently meet company and regulatory HSSE requirements before and during engagement.

Compliance, Auditing and Vehicle Vetting

• Develop and manage an annual HSSE audit programme for all transporters and key suppliers.
• Establish and enforce regional vehicle inspection standards for bulk fuel tankers — covering roadworthiness, safe-load schemes, and bottom-loading compliance — and track regulatory compliance across all operating countries.

Incident Investigation and HSSE Performance Analytics

• Support investigations into fatal or high-potential road traffic accidents and supply chain incidents, ensuring rigorous root cause analysis and effective corrective action closeout.
• Track and analyse leading and lagging HSSE KPIs — including rollover rates, IVMS behavioural alerts, and audit findings — to drive data-informed risk reduction and continuous improvement across the supply chain

Driver and Supplier Capability Development

• Define and oversee mandatory HSSE training standards for all transport and supplier personnel, encompassing defensive driving, rollover prevention, dangerous goods handling, and HSSE leadership.
• Host regional Supplier HSSE Conferences and engagement forums to build capability, align suppliers with company expectations, and foster a shared HSSE culture across the logistics and supplier network.

HSSE Contract and Commercial Governance

• Embed binding HSSE KPIs, performance standards, and SLA terms into transporter and supplier Master Services Agreements and procurement contracts.

• Design and monitor execution of consequence management frameworks — including structured penalty and reward mechanisms — to drive accountability and ensure HSSE performance is a commercial priority for all third-party logistics providers and suppliers.

Reporting and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop, consolidate, and report on regional, country, and transporter / supplier level leading and lagging HSSE performance metrics on a monthly basis.
• Provide strategic HSSE insights to the Regional Head of HSSE, Country Operational Managers, and commercial and procurement leadership to support informed decision-making, executive visibility, and continuous improvement across the regional supply chain.

Requirements:

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transport Economics, or Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, or Chemical).
• Postgraduate qualification (MBA or MSc in Supply Chain Risk, International Logistics, or Operations Management) is highly desirable.
• Certification in Road Transport Safety Management Systems (ISO 39001) as a Lead Auditor or Implementer.
• Dangerous Goods / ADR certification is advantageous.

Experience

• 10–12 years of progressive experience in supply chain, logistics, or HSSE operations.
• Minimum 6 years in downstream hydrocarbon logistics, bulk fuel storage terminal interfaces, and retail distribution networks.
• Minimum 5 years managing third-party logistics providers, transport contractors, and procurement vendor vetting in a multi-country African context.
• Demonstrated experience embedding HSSE requirements into commercial contracts and supplier management frameworks.

Key Competencies

• Deep knowledge of road transport HSSE regulations, ISO 39001, and ADR/hazmat standards.
• Strong analytical capability with proficiency in HSSE management platforms (e.g., Intelex, ChemWatch, IVMS systems).
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and cross-functional influencing skills across diverse, multi-country environments.
• High cultural agility and ability to operate effectively across varied African regulatory and operational contexts.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively across the Africa region