Environmental, Health & Safety Lead

Company Overview

Suntory Global Spirits is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Rooted in more than two centuries of heritage, the organisation is committed to operational excellence, environmental stewardship and creating a world-class safety culture across all UK operations.

Role Purpose

The EHS Regional Lead is responsible for implementing the UK EHS Strategy across assigned operational sites and ensuring full compliance with company standards, UK and Scottish legislation, COMAH requirements and environmental permits. The role acts as the operational EHS leader for the region, providing expert advice, coaching and support to management teams whilst ensuring EHS risks are effectively identified, controlled and continuously improved. The role is accountable for translating EHS governance requirements into practical site-level execution and performance improvement.

Role Scope

Responsible for the implementation and maintenance of EHS programmes across assigned manufacturing, warehousing, maturation, distillation, engineering and visitor centre operations. Acts as the primary operational contact for EHS matters within the region and supports regulatory inspections, audits and compliance activities.

Key Responsibilities – EHS Strategy & Compliance

• Implement UK EHS strategies, standards and programmes.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety at Work Act requirements and associated regulations.
• Maintain site compliance with ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and corporate management system requirements.
• Conduct compliance reviews and identify emerging risks.
• Escalate significant compliance risks and regulatory concerns to the Senior Manager - EHS Compliance.

Environmental Compliance & Sustainability

• Manage environmental monitoring programmes including effluent, water abstraction, discharges, noise, waste and emissions.
• Coordinate and submit statutory environmental reports and permit returns.
• Ensure compliance with Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations and permit conditions.
• Maintain environmental aspects and impacts registers.
• Manage spill prevention, bund integrity, drainage systems and environmental incident response.
• Support sustainability programmes relating to carbon reduction, water stewardship, energy efficiency and waste reduction.
• Liaise with SEPA, Scottish Water, Local Authorities and environmental consultants.

Health & Safety Management

• Conduct and facilitate risk assessments including DSEAR, COSHH, PUWER, manual handling and workplace assessments.
• Develop, review and maintain safe systems of work.
• Manage contractor safety arrangements, permit-to-work systems and site inductions.
• Deliver EHS training, toolbox talks and behavioural safety initiatives.
• Maintain emergency response arrangements covering fire, confined spaces, flammable atmospheres, chemical releases and CO₂ risks.
• Maintain hazardous substance inventories, SDS management and COSHH controls.

COMAH & Process Safety Management

• Maintain and update COMAH Safety Reports and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate Process Safety Management (PSM) programmes and Management of Change (MoC) processes.
• Support HAZOP, HAZID and major accident hazard assessments.
• Coordinate regulatory inspections involving HSE, SEPA and Local Authorities.
• Maintain emergency planning arrangements and support emergency exercises.
• Monitor implementation of process safety improvement plans and corrective actions.

Incident Management, Assurance & Continuous Improvement

• Lead investigations into incidents, accidents, environmental events and near misses.
• Facilitate root cause analysis and ensure corrective actions are implemented and verified.
• Conduct internal audits, inspections and compliance reviews.
• Coordinate external certification and regulatory audits.
• Track closure of actions arising from audits, investigations and inspections.
• Drive continuous improvement through performance analysis and risk reduction initiatives.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary operational EHS contact for assigned sites.
• Coach managers, supervisors and employees on EHS responsibilities and expectations.
• Support Site Steering Committees and cross-functional improvement teams.
• Build strong working relationships with operational leadership, engineering, HR and supply chain functions.
• Promote a positive safety culture and visible leadership behaviours.

Performance Reporting & Governance

• Monitor and report EHS KPIs including TRIR, near misses, audit performance, environmental metrics and compliance indicators.
• Prepare monthly EHS reports and management review information.
• Maintain accurate EHS records, legal registers and compliance documentation.
• Support regional and UK EHS governance reviews.

Qualifications

Degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering or equivalent experience.

NEBOSH Diploma, NEBOSH Certificate or equivalent professional qualification.

Minimum 3-5 years' experience in manufacturing, process, distilling, chemical or COMAH-regulated industries.

Strong knowledge of COMAH, DSEAR, COSHH, PUWER, ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and environmental legislation.

Experience conducting audits, investigations and regulatory inspections.

Success Measures

• Regulatory compliance performance.
• Audit and inspection outcomes.
• Reduction in incidents and environmental events.
• Timely closure of corrective actions.
• EHS culture and engagement improvements.
• Effective implementation of UK EHS strategy and programmes.