SHE Officer Graduate role at Dis-Chem Pharmacies in Midrand, Gauteng, offers a fantastic opportunity to step into the world of workplace safety and compliance. This contract position is designed for recent graduates or entry-level candidates who are passionate about creating safer, healthier, and environmentally compliant working environments.
If you’re someone with a National Diploma in Safety Management looking to gain hands-on experience and build a solid foundation in SHE (Safety, Health, and Environment), this role is perfect for you.
What is the SHE Officer Graduate Programme at Dis-Chem?
This programme is a contract-based role focused on supporting the Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) team across multiple Dis-Chem sites including retail stores, distribution centres, and head office functions. As a graduate SHE Officer, you will assist with essential duties like safety inspections, audits, training sessions, and compliance activities to ensure a secure and compliant workplace for all employees and customers.
The role is entry-level, welcoming candidates with minimal experience (0–1 year) who have completed their National Diploma in Safety Management and are eager to grow their expertise in SHE management systems, risk assessments, incident investigations, and ISO standards compliance.
Why Should You Apply for the SHE Officer Graduate Role?
- Build a career in a vital field: Health and safety are non-negotiable for any organisation. Gaining practical experience here opens doors to many future career paths in occupational health, environmental management, risk assessment, and more.
- Gain hands-on exposure: You will work directly with experienced SHE professionals and participate in real-world activities such as legal compliance audits, risk assessments, and emergency drills.
- Learn industry best practices: The role aligns with internationally recognised standards like ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), which are highly valued across industries.
- Work with a respected employer: Dis-Chem Pharmacies is a leading retail company in South Africa, known for its commitment to employee safety, transformation, and equal opportunity employment.
- Opportunity for personal and professional growth: This role is designed to help you develop key competencies including risk management, root cause analysis, communication skills, and project ownership.
What Are the Key Responsibilities of the SHE Officer Graduate?
Your daily and project tasks will revolve around supporting the effective management of SHE systems and processes. These include:
- Assisting with the implementation and upkeep of Dis-Chem’s SHE Management System across all operational sites.
- Maintaining a comprehensive legal register that tracks relevant health, safety, and environmental legislation and ensuring required legal appointments are current and documented.
- Participating in incident and accident investigations by gathering evidence, assisting with root cause analysis, and helping prepare detailed reports.
- Conducting baseline and continuous risk assessments, communicating findings clearly to departments affected.
- Supporting the development and monitoring of corrective and preventive action plans to address identified SHE issues.
- Taking part in emergency preparedness drills and ensuring emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers, spill kits, and first aid boxes are functional and compliant.
- Helping to foster a strong safety culture by facilitating safety awareness campaigns, toolbox talks, and training sessions across employee levels.
- Keeping accurate SHE documentation including safety files, minutes of meetings, training registers, and contractor compliance documents.
- Assisting with internal and external SHE reporting and analytics, including tracking key performance indicators.
- Supporting waste management and environmental compliance efforts, such as waste separation, disposal, and audit record-keeping.
- Contributing to the development and review of SHE procedures, policies, and standard work instructions.
What Qualifications and Skills Are Needed?
- Minimum Education: Matric or Senior Certificate plus a National Diploma in Safety Management.
- Experience: 0 to 1 year of relevant experience is acceptable, making this ideal for recent graduates.
- Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge of ISO standards 45001 and 14001 is an advantage but not mandatory.
- Computer Literacy: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and familiarity with digital SHE systems.
- Soft Skills: Strong attention to detail, ability to communicate clearly and diplomatically, teamwork, time management, adaptability, and resilience.
What Competencies Will You Develop?
This graduate role is designed to nurture a broad range of skills critical to success in SHE careers and beyond:
- Occupational Health and Safety Management: Deepen your understanding of safety legislation, audit processes, and compliance frameworks.
- Risk Assessment and Root Cause Analysis: Learn to identify hazards, evaluate risks, and conduct investigations that prevent accidents.
- Communication and Training: Build confidence in delivering reports, briefing documents, and conducting training sessions.
- Project Ownership and Coordination: Gain experience managing SHE initiatives, tracking deliverables, and influencing colleagues positively.
- Documentation and Reporting: Develop high attention to detail through maintaining accurate records, safety files, and audit trails.
- Business Continuity: Understand the link between SHE compliance, employee wellbeing, and overall organisational reputation.
What Can You Expect from Dis-Chem Pharmacies?
Dis-Chem offers a supportive environment where learning and career development are encouraged. Although this is a contract position, you will receive a stipend that helps support your transition from graduate to professional. You’ll be part of a company that:
- Values employment equity and actively recruits people with disabilities.
- Provides hands-on mentorship from experienced SHE professionals.
- Encourages innovation and continuous improvement in workplace safety standards.
How to Apply for the SHE Officer Graduate Position at Dis-Chem?
- Submission: Apply online via Dis-Chem’s career portal or official channels.
- Required Documents: Prepare a clear CV highlighting your qualifications and relevant experience. Make sure your CV is neat and free from handwriting or clutter.
- Additional Requirements: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, so ensure your application stands out by showcasing your passion and suitability for the role.
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