Health and Safety Manager in Wednesbury

Avara Foods is one of the UK’s leading food businesses, supplying chicken and turkey to the country’s major supermarkets and well‑known restaurants. We own and manage our entire supply chain, from farms to factory and all the way to the customer door – meaning we have careers that cover a whole range of functions. We have major processing sites across England and Wales and an agricultural network of over 350 farms, spanning from North Yorkshire to the South Coast and Wales.

Are you passionate about Health and Safety? We are looking for a highly competent and motivated Health and Safety Manager to support our two sites in the Midlands – Wednesbury and Dudley. The role is office based but requires regular factory visits. Working hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00–17:00.

As a Health and Safety Manager, you’ll be responsible for ensuring that managers, colleagues, contractors and visitors operate safely and in line with current legislation, Avara standards and industry best practice. You will act as a key partner to the Senior Management Team to develop, maintain and continually improve a robust Health & Safety Management System.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion a positive, engaging and forward‑looking Health & Safety culture across the two Midlands sites.
• Influence and coach leaders and managers, ensuring Health & Safety responsibilities are clearly understood and effectively executed.
• Support the site SMT with strategic safety planning, performance reviews and improvement initiatives.
• Lead the annual programme of generic and specific risk assessments; ensure accurate documentation and prioritisation of corrective actions.
• Manage the non‑conformance corrective action plan and collaborate with operational teams to eliminate or reduce key risks.
• Ensure safety inspections, internal audits and compliance checks are carried out in accordance with the agreed schedule.
• Support safe installation and commissioning of equipment by working closely with Engineering and site leadership teams.
• Lead thorough accident, incident and near‑miss investigations; ensure learnings are shared and embedded.
• Complete, maintain and monitor accurate accident/incident documentation, supporting the management of insurance claims and external queries.
• Produce clear, actionable reports and safety insights for site leadership.
• Work collaboratively across Health & Safety, HR, Occupational Health and Operational teams to deliver consistent standards, effective training and competency.
• Liaise with Occupational Health to monitor trends, analyse data and support targeted interventions.
• Work with external stakeholders, including regulators such as the HSE, ensuring site readiness and compliance.
• Support the design, delivery and coordination of Health & Safety training, ensuring colleagues have the right competencies for their roles.
• Assist with site‑wide training records and scheduling to ensure compliance with requirements.
• Conduct Health & Safety surveys (noise, dust, lighting, COSHH, etc.) and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Keep up to date with new and emerging legislation, HSE guidance and industry developments.
• Monitor trends and performance indicators to drive continuous improvement.

Essential Qualifications

• NEBOSH qualification (Diploma desirable, Certificate essential).
• Strong experience in Health & Safety Management, including behavioural safety and change management.
• Working knowledge of Health & Safety Management Systems and digital reporting tools.
• Experience engaging with regulators such as the HSE, EA, BSI and Fire Department.
• Excellent communication, coaching and relationship‑building skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Proactive, accountable individual who can influence at all levels and embed high standards, taking accountability for responsibilities under their remit.
• Objective‑driven and able to monitor progression of tasks and coach others as required.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable Qualifications

• NEBOSH Diploma or higher level Health & Safety qualification.
• Membership of a professional safety body.
• FMCG background or strong knowledge of the food industry.

Benefits

• From £55,000 per annum.
• 33 days holiday allowance.
• Straight‑forward pension contribution of 6%.
• Subsidised staff canteen serving hot food.
• Staff shop / staff sales at hugely discounted prices.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Access to our Employee Benefit Scheme, which includes unlimited remote GP appointments, unlimited mental‑health sessions, physiotherapy sessions, medical second‑opinion consultation and other discounts and perks.

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.