Hermès HSE and Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager

About Hermès

This prestigious fashion house, renowned for its timeless elegance and innovative designs, is a part of a leading global luxury conglomerate. The brand is committed to excellence and offers a dynamic environment where creativity and business acumen are equally valued.

Hermès is recruiting an HSE and Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager on a permanent, full-time basis in Le Puy-en-Velay. Reporting to the Site Director, the role leads site HSE policy, wastewater treatment and environmental performance, while contributing to strategic site priorities and managing HSE teams, compliance, budgets and continuous improvement.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead and deploy the site’s health, safety and environmental policy, promoting prevention and control of major risks among operational teams.
• Supervise the wastewater treatment plant (STEP), drive continuous improvement and support the site’s sustainable development strategy; ensure risk control, environmental performance, effective water-treatment operations and compliance with applicable regulations.
• Contribute to sharing best practices and aligning Group standards through the HCP network.
• As a member of the Management Committee, support site transformation and help define and implement strategic priorities.
• Ensure the site’s regulatory compliance.
• Ensure compliance with workplace safety and hygiene instructions.
• Coordinate external contractors’ interventions with regard to safety.
• Manage safety-related relations with the Labour Inspectorate and occupational physician.
• Analyse risk situations and coordinate associated improvement plans.
• Lead prevention initiatives to reduce risks.
• Communicate safety information through reporting and awareness-raising for teams and new employees.
• Maintain a visible presence on the operational floor.
• Support HSE capability development across the site by tracking safety training deadlines, including initial and ongoing training and employee support.
• Contribute to developing a safety culture at every level of the organization.
• Support the HSE officer and apprentice.
• Supervise every stage of water and sludge treatment at the tannery.
• Ensure compliance with environmental and regulatory water-treatment and safety requirements, including ICPE standards.
• Analyse plant operating data and optimise settings using the supervision software.
• Help identify conditions and measures to improve processes.
• Manage wastewater treatment plant operations in coordination with the company’s maintenance teams.
• Work with production teams to optimise water-treatment processes.
• Ensure employees understand and apply good water-treatment practices.
• Support projects to develop water recycling.
• Maintain ongoing relations with DREAL, the local authority and local associations.
• Ensure each waste stream is recovered to the greatest extent permitted by regulations.
• Reduce the site’s environmental impact through continuous improvement, including monitoring and reducing water and energy consumption and tracking its carbon footprint.
• Support the team of three technicians operating the wastewater treatment plant.
• Provide operational on-call coverage according to the established schedule to ensure service continuity and manage emergencies.
• Promote the internal HSE culture by facilitating working groups and correspondent networks, participating in the CSSCT (Health, Safety and Working Conditions Committee), and liaising with employee representatives.
• Approve internal HSE standards, maintain documentation, coordinate HSE action plans, and develop emergency, crisis-management and business-continuity plans.
• Provide managers and employees with technical and methodological support in applying standards and regulatory requirements, and manage non-conformities.
• Liaise with authorities, professional organisations and inspection bodies; ensure regulatory obligations are met and registers maintained.
• Coordinate audits within the role’s scope, such as Leather Working Group audits.
• Participate in the Hermès Cuirs Précieux HSE network, sharing experience with other group tanneries and pooling best practices.
• Report on HSE performance indicators, analyse statistics and variances between objectives and results, co-lead management reviews, and prepare HSE assessments and the annual activity report.
• Prepare and monitor the annual budget for the area of responsibility.
• Support the development of direct reports and ensure team members follow internal operating rules.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to develop the HSE culture.
• Conduct annual people-management activities, including performance reviews, year-end interviews and salary reviews.

Qualifications

• A five-year higher education qualification (Bac+5) in HSE, environmental studies, water treatment, engineering or an equivalent field.
• At least 5 years of confirmed experience in a similar industrial role, including team management; the role also lists a minimum of 6 years of experience.
• Experience operating a municipal or industrial wastewater treatment plant is an advantage.
• Knowledge of ICPE regulations.
• Knowledge of ISO 14001.
• Knowledge of the LWG standard is an advantage.
• Management, project management, change management and continuous improvement skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, an interest in close-to-the-floor teamwork and the ability to facilitate cross-functional teams.
• Strong writing skills.
• Listening skills, perspective and sound judgement.
• Ability to track the implementation of action plans.
• Responsiveness to problems, initiative and persuasiveness.
• Critical thinking when assessing observed results.
• Sense of responsibility and autonomy.
• Emotional intelligence and adaptability.

Skills

Experience

At least 5 years of confirmed experience in a similar industrial role, including team management; a minimum of 6 years is also stated. Experience operating a municipal or industrial wastewater treatment plant is an advantage.

Education

Bac+5 qualification in HSE, environmental studies, water treatment, engineering or an equivalent field.

Workplace

Culture

The company fosters a collaborative and innovative culture, encouraging employees to push the boundaries of creativity while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical practices.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.