People, Safety & Compliance Lead

Lead the people, safety, and compliance function of a grounded, rural business.  RTL is looking for a capable, practical leader to step into our People, Safety & Compliance Lead role. This is a senior position with real responsibility - not just systems and paperwork, but leadership, sound judgement, and accountability.

If you’re confident advising leaders, comfortable having straight conversations, and able to balance compliance with practical outcomes, this could be the right fit.

About the Role

Based in Heriot, this role leads and supports RTL’s health & safety, compliance, and people advisory functions. You’ll help ensure our systems are practical, our standards are clear, and our leaders feel supported when it comes to workforce matters.

You’ll work alongside operational leaders on people issues, performance conversations, and compliance requirements — while continuing to strengthen our safety systems, reporting, training frameworks, and audit readiness.

This is a hands-on leadership role in a rural, operational environment. It requires sound judgement, common sense, and the confidence to work across both compliance systems and people matters.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting and strengthening RTL’s health & safety and compliance systems
• Working with leaders on performance, conduct, and employment processes
• Helping maintain audit readiness and regulatory compliance
• Reviewing and improving SOPs and training frameworks
• Monitoring reporting systems and ensuring documentation remains accurate
• Encouraging proactive risk management and practical safety conversations

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone with solid capability in people, safety, or compliance — and the confidence to operate across both.

You might:

• Have experience in H&S and be ready to step further into people advisory
• Have HR experience and be comfortable strengthening compliance systems
• Be working in compliance and ready to broaden your scope

You don’t need to have done everything before - but you do need:

• Rural sector knowledge or experience
• A good working understanding of NZ employment and/or H&S legislation
• The confidence to support leaders through workforce matters
• Strong judgement and the ability to have clear, respectful conversations
• A structured approach to systems and documentation
• The ability to work comfortably in a rural or operational environment

Experience in transport or industrial settings is helpful — but a practical mindset and credibility matter most.

Why Join RTL?

• Senior leadership role reporting directly to the CEO
• Grounded rural business with real accountability
• Opportunity to shape culture, standards, and systems
• Be part of a company that’s proud of its people, its roots, and its region

How to Apply

If this sounds like you, apply now with your CV and a covering letter outlining why this role feels right.

For further information, contact Shona Robertson on 0274 318 188 or shona.robertson@riltd.co.nz 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
Listed date: 26 February 2026