Health and Safety Lead

The Health and Safety Lead is responsible for leading and driving continuous improvement in health, safety, and environmental performance across the Preston manufacturing, warehouse and distribution facilities. The role focuses on supporting the development and implementation of the Company’s HSE strategy and translating this into effective site-level programmes and improvements, using a range of tools and initiatives to promote a positive safety culture, drive legal compliance and support operational excellence.

Working closely with operational leaders, the Health and Safety Lead will advise, coach, influence, and support managers and employees at all levels to embed best practice and achieve sustainable behavioural change. The role also carries responsibility for managing HSE-related CAPEX and OPEX budgets within the assigned areas of responsibility.

The successful candidate will be an experienced Health, Safety and Environment professional with a proven track record of improving HSE performance within a manufacturing environment. They will possess excellent leadership, coaching and influencing skills, enabling them to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation. They will demonstrate a proactive approach to continuous improvement, be highly analytical and capable of using data to identify trends, reduce risk and drive measurable improvements. Strong communication skills, sound judgement and the ability to build positive working relationships are essential.

The Health and Safety Lead will lead the implementation and continuous improvement of the company's HSE strategy across the Preston manufacturing and warehouse operations. The role is responsible for ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, maintaining ISO 45001 certification, leading the World Class Manufacturing Safety Pillar and supporting operational leaders in delivering a culture of safety, environmental responsibility and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive continuous improvement in Health, Safety and Environmental performance across the Preston manufacturing and warehouse operation.
• Lead the World Class Manufacturing Safety Pillar.
• Support the development of site HSE improvement plans, translating business objectives into practical actions and leading their delivery.
• Coach operational managers and team leaders to deliver safety improvement initiatives and positive behavioural change.
• Design, develop and deliver Health, Safety and Environmental training programmes.
• Identify, analyse and eliminate safety losses using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Promote a proactive safety culture through regular engagement with managers and employees.
• Provide expert Health, Safety and Environmental advice and guidance across the business.
• Work with the wider business HSE team to share and implement best practice.
• Analyse performance data to identify trends and implement measurable improvements.
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects to enhance safety, environmental performance and operational efficiency.
• Manage relationships with external regulatory bodies, including the Health and Safety Executive and Environment Agency.
• Respond to customer and tender-related Health, Safety and Environmental enquiries.
• Conduct statutory and non-statutory compliance audits and implement corrective actions.
• Support the administration of the electronic incident reporting system.
• Maintain ISO 45001 certification through internal auditing, compliance monitoring and liaison with external auditors.
• Manage HSE-related CAPEX and OPEX budgets within the area of responsibility.
• Support incident and near-miss investigations, ensuring robust root cause analysis and effective corrective actions.
• Maintain a strong presence across the manufacturing and engineering operations, engaging employees and leaders to identify and address risk.
• Support the safe management of contractors and high-risk activities.
• Support and coach operational teams in the preparation, implementation and review of suitable and sufficient risk assessments and safe systems of work.
• Support the Environmental Compliance team with environmental permits, procedures and reporting requirements.
• Lead, coach and develop the site's HSE team to ensure effective delivery of HSE objectives.
• Build strong working relationships with Production, Engineering and Warehouse leadership teams, providing support, challenge and direction to drive continuous improvement in HSE performance.

Requirements

Essential

• NEBOSH Diploma, NVQ Level 5/6, or NEBOSH General Certificate and extensive relevant experience, or equivalent professional qualification.
• Minimum of five years' experience in a Health and Safety Management role within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing Health, Safety and Environmental improvement programmes.
• Strong knowledge of UK Health, Safety and Environmental legislation.
• Proven ability to influence behavioural and cultural change.
• Excellent coaching, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.

Desirable

• Experience of World Class Manufacturing (WCM).
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Experience of Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Root Cause Analysis and Loss Elimination techniques.
• Operational Excellence experience.
• Data analysis and performance management experience.
• Change leadership experience.

Baxi is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age.