Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) Manager

We are currently supporting a well-established branded food manufacturer with a strong reputation for quality, innovation and sustainability across its end?to?end supply chain. The site already benefits from mature systems, a low incident rate and a leadership team that takes HSE seriously, creating a platform to further elevate safety culture and environmental performance.

The opportunity

This is a key role for an experienced HSE professional who wants to move beyond “compliance policing” into genuine cultural leadership. You will be a highly visible presence on site, acting as coach and trusted advisor to the Site Leadership Team and frontline managers, embedding a proactive, behavioural safety mindset across all operations.

Approximate focus of the role:

• 70% Health & Safety
• Culture, coaching, risk management and continuous improvement
• 30% Environment & Sustainability
• tilities, waste, projects and systems

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement a site HSE strategy that aligns with group policies and wider sustainability goals.
• Lead behavioural safety programmes, using coaching and real?time interventions on the shopfloor to improve decision?making and risk ownership.
• Act as site lead for the Environmental Management System, identifying and delivering projects to reduce energy and water use and improve food waste and recycling segregation.
• Maintain the site’s “competent person” status for health, safety and environment, ensuring robust compliance with UK legislation and relevant ISO/management system standards (e.g. ISO 45001, ISO 14001).
• Own and continuously improve risk assessment processes, safe systems of work and permit?to?work, ensuring they are practical, understood and followed.
• Plan and deliver the HSE audit programme, coordinate external inspections and certifications, and close out actions effectively and on time.
• Oversee fire safety and security arrangements for the site, including emergency preparedness, drills and incident investigations.
• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Technical/Quality and HR to integrate safety and sustainability into projects, capex, new equipment, process changes and training plans.
• Lead or support incident investigations, root cause analysis and corrective actions, sharing learnings to prevent recurrence.
• Track, analyse and report HSE performance metrics, using data to identify trends and opportunities, and presenting clear updates to the Site Leadership Team.
• Design and deliver engaging HSE training, briefings and toolbox talks for colleagues at all levels.
• Promote colleague involvement through safety committees, champions and improvement suggestions, recognising and reinforcing positive behaviours.

Candidate profile

*Experience*

• Proven HSE experience within a manufacturing environment, ideally food & drink, FMCG or a similar fast-paced, high-care setting.
• Strong track record of driving behavioural safety and culture change, not just enforcing rules.
• Experience of managing or contributing to certified HSE management systems (e.g. ISO 45001, ISO 14001) and leading audits.
• Demonstrable success in delivering environmental improvement projects (e.g. energy efficiency, water reduction, waste and recycling enhancement).
• Background in coaching and influencing senior leaders and frontline teams, with confidence to challenge constructively.

*Qualifications & skills*

• NEBOSH Diploma (or working towards) or equivalent H&S qualification.
• Membership of a recognised professional body (e.g. IOSH) is advantageous.
• Solid understanding of UK health, safety and environmental legislation relevant to manufacturing.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and translate it into clear priorities and actions.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, able to engage colleagues from factory floor to leadership team.
• Pragmatic, hands?on approach, comfortable spending significant time in production areas.
• Mindset focused on continuous improvement, collaboration and coaching rather than command?and?control.

What’s on offer

You will join a business that genuinely lives its values around quality, people and sustainability, not just in marketing claims. With a strong baseline already in place, you will have the freedom to innovate, mentor and shape a HSE culture that can set a benchmark within the sector.

Apply with your CV today or contact us for more information about this excellent opportunity in the food manufacturing sector.