CASE STUDY 
Head of EHS 

Brief

Our client, a Tier 1 automotive components manufacturer, is seeking to appoint a Head of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) for their critical plant in Germany. The role is crucial for ensuring compliance with stringent safety standards, and the Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit certification (a requirement for health and safety professionals in Germany) is mandatory. This has significantly narrowed the pool of qualified candidates in the local area. Additionally, the position is standalone, requiring someone who can manage all EHS responsibilities independently, making it imperative to find a strong leader with the right technical expertise and self-motivation.

​

Our Process

Given the combination of certification requirements and the standalone nature of the role, we adopted a highly targeted approach to identifying EHS professionals who possess the Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit qualification and the leadership skills necessary for independent management. We expanded the search to professionals in neighboring regions and industries where strong safety compliance is essential.

​

• We also utilized our extensive network to engage candidates who were not actively seeking new roles but had the right experience and certification.

• Emphasis was placed on assessing the candidates' ability to lead independently, implement comprehensive safety protocols, and foster a culture of safety awareness.

​

Challenges

One of the main challenges was the limited pool of local talent with the required Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit certification, which is essential for legal compliance in Germany. Additionally, the standalone nature of the role meant the candidate needed to be self-reliant, without the support of a larger EHS team, and capable of implementing and managing safety policies across the entire site.

Moreover, the client had an interim EHS manager in place, which was proving costly, so there was an urgency to find a permanent solution to avoid further operational delays and financial strain.

​

Result

The search for the Head of EHS is currently ongoing. We have developed a shortlist of highly qualified candidates who meet the certification requirements and have demonstrated the ability to lead in a standalone capacity. While we are making progress, the unique combination of qualifications and leadership skills required continues to make this a competitive and challenging search.