David Jones has shaped Australian retail for over 185 years, and the people behind the brand are what make it extraordinary. As the Safety & Wellbeing Lead, you’ll play a key role in creating a workplace where every team member feels safe, supported and set up to thrive.
Based in Sydney and forming part of our national People Safety & Wellbeing team, this role will see you partnering closely with leaders across our stores, Distribution Centre and support functions to embed proactive safety practices, strengthen WHS governance and champion wellbeing initiatives that genuinely support our people.
This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a high-footfall, operationally complex retail environment, one where brand standards, customer experience, pace and people care all matter.
In this role, you’ll be responsible for implementing, maintaining and continuously improving WHS practices across our New South Wales region, including our Supply Chain and Distribution Centre operations. You’ll act as a trusted subject matter expert, supporting leaders and team members to identify risk, strengthen safety capability and create safer ways of working.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Providing expert advice and guidance on WHS, wellbeing, risk assessment, hazard identification and control measures across stores, Distribution Centre and support environments.
- Managing and maintaining WHS management systems in line with applicable standards, legislation and internal governance requirements.
- Supporting Supply Chain safety activities, including working with Distribution Centre leaders and 3PL providers to ensure a collaborative and compliant approach to safety governance.
- Providing advice and training on critical risk across Supply Chain operations, including Chain of Responsibility requirements.
- Reviewing, auditing and improving WHS systems, processes, induction materials and safety procedures to drive consistency and continuous improvement.
- Leading site visits, inspections, hazard and near-miss reviews, and risk assessments, ensuring agreed controls are recorded and implemented in a timely manner.
- Leading investigations for high-risk incidents, MTIs and LTIs, identifying root causes and driving practical corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Partnering with internal stakeholders to strengthen contractor management processes and safety compliance.
- Supporting and attending WHS committee meetings, including at site and Head Office level.
- Supporting injury management activity, including work and non-work-related injuries and return-to-work planning.
- Driving wellbeing initiatives and using effective communication channels to promote programs that support our people’s physical, mental and holistic wellbeing.
- Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including operational leaders, People & Culture partners, regulatory bodies and service providers where required.
We’re looking for a confident, practical and people-centred safety professional who can balance strong technical WHS expertise with the ability to influence, coach and partner across a fast-paced retail and supply chain environment.
You’ll bring:
- Demonstrated experience in a WHS, safety or wellbeing role within a complex, multi-site environment — ideally retail, supply chain, logistics, hospitality or another customer-facing operational setting.
- Strong working knowledge of NSW and broader Australian WHS legislation, with the ability to interpret requirements and apply them in a practical business context.
- Experience supporting warehouse, logistics or Distribution Centre safety activity, including critical risk management.
- Confidence partnering with operational leaders to build safety capability, encourage early reporting and embed proactive safety behaviours.
- Experience conducting audits, inspections, risk assessments, incident investigations and corrective action planning.
- An understanding of contractor management, 3PL environments and Chain of Responsibility would be highly regarded.
- Experience supporting injury management and return-to-work processes.
- A tertiary qualification in Work Health & Safety, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Certificate IV in Training & Assessment would be desirable.
- Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to prioritise effectively across diverse stakeholder groups.
- The ability to work autonomously, build trust quickly and remain calm, practical and solutions-focused in a busy operational environment.
- A current driver’s licence, with the ability to travel to sites as required.
Most importantly, you’ll be someone who sees safety as more than compliance. You’ll bring the energy and credibility to help leaders and teams understand risk, take ownership and create environments where our people can do their best work.
David Jones is in a genuine period of transformation, investing meaningfully in its people, leadership capability and store experience. You’ll join a People team with strong executive support and a clear mandate to uplift safety culture, wellbeing and operational consistency across the business.
This role offers the opportunity to make a visible impact across some of our largest and most complex environments, including our Sydney stores and Distribution Centre operations. You’ll work closely with a collaborative national team and have the opportunity to influence how safety and wellbeing are embedded into the everyday rhythm of retail.
Alongside a role with real purpose and scope, you’ll also have access to retail benefits, flexible working arrangements and opportunities to continue building your own capability and career at one of Australia’s most iconic brands.
If you’re passionate about creating safe, supportive and thriving workplaces and you’re ready to help shape safety and wellbeing in one of Australia’s most recognised retail environments we’d love to hear from you.
