At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead health and safety initiatives, ensuring a safe working environment across operations.
- Company: Panda, a leader in sustainable waste management and recycling.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and impactful contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in safety standards while working with passionate teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in health and safety, strong technical knowledge, and NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the Role
At Panda, we value waste. That means finding smarter, safer and more sustainable ways to recover value from materials, reduce environmental impact and keep essential operations running efficiently. We are looking for an experienced H&S Lead to support our Collections, Operations and Processing teams across key specialist safety areas, including machinery safety, fire safety, electrical safety and work at height. This is a visible, hands-on role where you will act as a technical safety lead for the business, working closely with operational teams to improve standards, reduce risk and strengthen our safety culture. The H&S Lead will combine practical site engagement with data-led insight, helping Panda stay ahead of regulatory, operational and industry expectations.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Act as Panda’s technical lead for machinery safety, electrical safety, fire safety and work at height.
- Develop, maintain and improve safety standards, procedures and guidance across specialist risk areas.
- Provide expert advice and practical support to operational, engineering and project teams.
- Lead specialist risk reviews, audits and assurance activity across sites.
- Stay up to date with emerging risks, legislation, technology and best practice within the waste, recycling and industrial sectors.
- Use safety data to identify trends, themes, risks and improvement opportunities.
- Produce clear reports, dashboards and insight papers for senior leadership.
- Lead or support investigations into incidents, near misses and high-potential events.
- Share learning across the business and help embed stronger controls and standards.
- Carry out regular site visits to support operational teams and build local safety capability.
- Coach and guide managers and frontline teams in specialist risk areas.
- Work closely with H&S Business Partners, SHEQ teams and operational leaders to drive consistent safety standards.
About You
You will be a confident and credible health and safety professional with strong technical knowledge and the ability to turn complex safety requirements into practical operational solutions. You will bring:
- Significant experience in a Health and Safety role within industrial, recycling, manufacturing, engineering, logistics or operational environments.
- Strong knowledge of specialist risk areas such as machinery safety, electrical safety, work at height and fire safety.
- Experience leading or supporting incident investigations and identifying root causes.
- The ability to analyse safety data and turn it into clear actions and recommendations.
- Confidence presenting information to senior stakeholders and operational teams.
- NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent, or working towards.
- IOSH membership or equivalent professional membership.
- A practical, visible and collaborative approach to safety leadership.
It would also be beneficial if you have:
- Specialist training or qualifications in machinery safety, electrical safety, work at height or fire safety.
- Experience developing safety standards, technical guidance or assurance frameworks.
- Experience presenting to senior leadership or board-level audiences.
- Chartered IOSH status, or working towards it.
What We’re Looking For
This H&S Lead role would suit someone who is:
- Visible and approachable across sites.
- Confident challenging standards in a constructive way.
- Practical and solutions-focused.
- Comfortable working with both frontline teams and senior leaders.
- Data-led, but able to keep recommendations clear and operationally relevant.
- Proactive in identifying risks before they become issues.
- Passionate about helping teams work safely and consistently.
Panda is committed to attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate and the people we serve.
Health and Safety Lead in Chester employer: Beauparc
Panda is an exceptional employer that prioritises safety and sustainability, offering a dynamic work environment for the Health and Safety Lead role. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have opportunities to enhance your skills while working collaboratively with operational teams to foster a robust safety culture. Our inclusive work culture values diverse perspectives, ensuring that every team member contributes to our mission of reducing environmental impact and improving operational efficiency.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Health and Safety Lead in Chester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the health and safety field. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience with machinery safety, fire safety, and other specialist areas. Use real-life examples to demonstrate how you've tackled challenges in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like Panda, and express your interest in their health and safety initiatives. A well-timed email can set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning and stay updated! The health and safety landscape is always changing, so make sure you're on top of the latest regulations and best practices. Consider taking additional courses or certifications that can boost your profile and show your commitment to the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Health and Safety Lead in Chester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience in health and safety, especially in areas like machinery safety and fire safety. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about health and safety and how you can contribute to our mission at Panda. Keep it engaging and make sure to connect your experience with the role's requirements.
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since we love data-led insights, mention any experience you have with analysing safety data and turning it into actionable recommendations. This will show us that you can help improve our safety culture and standards effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Beauparc
✨Know Your Safety Standards
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest health and safety regulations, especially those related to machinery, electrical, fire safety, and working at height. Brush up on any recent changes in legislation that could impact the role, as this will show your commitment and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you successfully led safety initiatives or investigations. Be ready to discuss how you turned complex safety requirements into practical solutions, as this aligns perfectly with what Panda is looking for.
✨Data-Driven Insights
Familiarise yourself with how to analyse safety data and identify trends. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve used data in previous roles to improve safety standards or reduce risks, as this will demonstrate your analytical skills and proactive approach.
✨Engage with the Team
Since this role involves a lot of collaboration, think about how you can build rapport with both frontline teams and senior leaders. Prepare to share your strategies for coaching and guiding teams in safety practices, as well as how you’ve fostered a strong safety culture in the past.
