Freelance Senior Consultant / SME (Operational Risk & Human Factors – Manufacturing Assessments)

At dss+, you don’t just deliver projects - you help save lives, improve performance, and build a more sustainable future.
We are a purpose-led global consultancy partnering with organisations in high-risk and asset-intensive industries to solve complex operational challenges across safety, operational excellence, and sustainability.
With a heritage rooted in DuPont’s industrial operations, we combine deep expertise, practical problem-solving, and digital innovation to deliver measurable and lasting impact for our clients.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a series of high-impact operational risk and performance assessments across leading manufacturing organisations, including Tier 1 automotive, industrial tooling, and advanced manufacturing environments.
As a freelance SME, you will bring expertise in operational risk and human factors to identify improvement opportunities and support clients in strengthening safety and operational performance.

Why This Industry
Manufacturing organisations operate in complex, safety-critical environments where human interaction with systems, machinery, and processes plays a critical role in performance and risk.
At dss+, we partner with clients to improve operational discipline, reduce risk, and enhance performance by focusing on the interaction between people, processes, and technology.
This role offers the opportunity to work across diverse manufacturing settings, delivering insights that drive meaningful improvement.

You will support and deliver short-term operational risk assessments, focusing on the effectiveness of man–machine interaction and behavioural safety within manufacturing environments.

Key Accountabilities

• Conduct on-site assessments across manufacturing facilities to identify operational risk and performance improvement opportunities

• Analyse human interaction with equipment, systems, and processes to identify behavioural and system-level risks

• Engage with frontline teams, supervisors, and leadership to gather insights and validate findings

• Identify root causes of operational and safety challenges, with a focus on human factors rather than process safety

• Contribute to the development of clear, actionable recommendations for clients

• Support the delivery team in summarising findings and presenting insights to client stakeholders

• Work collaboratively with dss+ teams to ensure high-quality, consistent assessment delivery

Deliver on our Purpose
Be part of a values-led organisation where your work helps save lives, improve performance, and advance sustainability for our clients and their people.

Develop your Trusted Expertise
Gain early autonomy and real accountability, working closely with senior clients on complex, high-impact challenges.

Thrive in a Culture of Respect
Join an inclusive and collaborative environment where your voice is valued, your curiosity is encouraged, and your wellbeing is supported.

Shape your Experience
Accelerate your development through hands-on experience, structured learning, and opportunities to work on international projects.

We are implementers and change-makers. Our teams work from the boardroom to the shop floor, helping organisations build resilience, improve performance, and sustain results over time.
Our expertise spans industries including metals and mining, energy, chemicals, manufacturing, and private equity — combining deep operational knowledge with transformation and capability-building expertise.

dss+ is committed to building a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive culture where everyone is respected, valued, and able to contribute fully.
We believe diversity strengthens our organisation and drives better outcomes for our people, our clients, and the communities we serve.

You bring strong analytical thinking, a curious mindset, and the ability to work effectively in diverse, international environments. You are comfortable engaging with stakeholders, observing operations, and identifying practical improvement opportunities.

You are an experienced operational risk or safety professional with a strong understanding of human factors and behavioural safety within manufacturing environments. You are either an established freelancer or available for short-term contract-based engagements.

Experience

• Experience conducting operational, safety, or risk assessments within manufacturing environments

• Exposure to industries such as automotive, industrial manufacturing, or consumer goods

• Experience analysing human factors, behavioural safety, or man–machine interaction

• Experience engaging with frontline operations and identifying practical improvement opportunities

Capabilities

• Strong observational and analytical skills within live operational environments

• Ability to identify root causes beyond process safety (focused on human interaction and behaviours)

• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills

• Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs within short timeframes

Languages

• Fluency in both English & Spanish is required

Mobility

• Ability to work on-site for 3–4 week assessment periods

• Availability for short-term freelance assignments