ESG and Compliance Manager in Watford

The ESG & Compliance Manager plays a pivotal role in safeguarding Castleton’s reputation for safety, quality, and integrity whilst elevating the company’s ESG status. This role carries responsibility for ensuring that all farming and packhouse operations consistently meet industry standards, customer requirements, and legislative obligations. The Compliance Manager will oversee a wide range of assurance activities—from food safety audits and HR compliance to health and safety protocols and environmental licensing—providing the framework that allows the business to operate with confidence and transparency. The role will involve close collaboration with managers, supervisors, and external partners to drive continuous improvement, ensure accurate documentation, and maintain readiness for any audit or inspection.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Audit & Compliance - Lead and manage all external and internal (packhouse) audits across the farm and packhouse including, SMETA, LEAF, Red tractor, SQC, FPC accommodation audit, WRAP. Ensure all food safety and harvesting paperwork is accurate, complete and audit ready.
• Health, Safety & Wellbeing – Overseeing compliance with H&S legislation, conducting risk assessments, and building a culture of safe working. Regular review of all H&S documentation including fire risk assessment and prevention measures including servicing. Review first aid needs and manage PPE as well as LOLER compliance.
• Environmental - Carbon reporting & reduction: Tracking emissions, producing carbon footprint reports, helping the business meet Net Zero or SECR (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting) obligations. Resource management: Monitoring energy, fuel, water, and waste to find efficiency opportunities. Environmental compliance: Ensuring adherence to environmental regulations, permits.
• Social – Training & engagement: Educating employees about sustainability, safety, and responsible operations. Community & ethics: Helping communicate the company’s social impact, ethical supply chain, or CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives.
• Governance - Compliance management: Maintaining policies, audits, and registers for health & safety, environment, and carbon regulations. Reporting & transparency: Coordinating internal and external ESG reports, ensuring data accuracy and accountability. Risk management: Identifying risks related to sustainability, regulatory breaches, or reputational exposure.
• Supplier/Customer Relations – Managing customer due diligence requirements. Managing contractor compliance and records including gas and electrical certification.
• Training and development - Coordinate all external training requirements (e.g., food safety, first aid, equipment training, refresher courses). Maintain accurate training records for all staff to ensure compliance with audit standards. Support the continuous development of staff by identifying training needs and ensuring timely delivery.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (how job success will be assessed)

• Audits – For the continuity of supply to retail customers a strong performance in our annual audits is essential.
• Safe working environment – Ensuring the health and safety of employees is put at the forefront.
• Record Keeping - All records to be kept up-to-date.
• Embedding a health and safety culture throughout the team.

KEY SKILLS & BEHAVIOURS

• Agricultural Experience – Gained by working in the industry or through significant exposure.
• Operational & Commercial Focus – Practical and decisive. Understands how an effective and efficiently run operation can contribute to stronger overall business profitability.
• Management - Plan and organise meticulously to ensure successful outcomes in terms of adherence to compliance in the different aspects within the role.
• People Management – A strong communicator within the team. Able to develop productive working relationships with colleagues in other parts of the business.
• Attention to detail – A strong understanding of audit requirements and the levels of details that an auditor can delve into to see the business on a strong footing and audit ready.