Head of Compliance in Birmingham

Howdens, the UK’s leading trade kitchen supplier, is looking for an experienced and influential Head of Compliance to shape strategy, provide strong leadership, and manage a compliance function encompassing audit and security across our 850 UK and ROI trade depots. This is a field-based role and will involve extensive travel to sites and offices across the country.

As our Head of Compliance, you will work closely with the Managing Director and the Senior Leadership Team within Trade to ensure that recommendations from compliance reviews and investigations are implemented effectively. Reporting to the Finance Director, you will also ensure that policies and procedures remain robust and compliant with current legislation, mitigating major risks. Additionally, you will coordinate with other support functions to ensure that any changes in trade risk profiles or working practices are quickly reflected and measured within compliance systems and processes.

What you’ll be doing as Head of Compliance:

• Leading the Compliance team, providing clear direction, objectives, and targets.
• Managing field-based staff, developing and maintaining a strong communication channel throughout the department.
• Implementing strategy for the ongoing development of compliance and security structures to support legal compliance and risk management within Trade.
• Enabling the integration of AI tools to enhance investigative capabilities, streamlining monitoring to enhance risk assurance methodology and supporting data-driven decision-making.
• Ensuring the correct resource allocation for audits, investigations, and projects, balancing priorities from management requests, whistleblowing reports, and financial analysis reporting.
• Maintaining communication of key consolidated findings and recommendations to Senior Group and Operational Management and ensuring regular feedback on these issues.
• Bi-annual reporting to the Audit Committee and presenting findings.
• Advising on current and potential changes to legislation to Senior Executives, ensuring that changes are communicated and incorporated into Compliance Audits.
• Ensuring the provision of comprehensive contract management and oversight of physical security measures for the Trade business, including alarm systems, monitoring and maintenance services, as well as keyholding responsibilities and arranging payment of invoices relating to these services.
• Conducting regular Risk reviews for each Region to identify potential risks and incorporate feedback from unsuccessful audits, supporting ongoing improvement efforts.
• Acting as FSC / PEFC Chain of Custody Manager for depots and ensuring that Compliance involvement supports the attainment of the annual Soil Association audit.

What you’ll need to bring as Head of Compliance:

• Proven ability and experience of leading and motivating compliance and audit teams, including managing field-based staff and maintaining effective communication channels.
• Multi-site industry experience is preferred, ideally in sectors such as wholesale, retail, hospitality, or similar environments.
• Strategic thinking to develop and implement compliance and security frameworks that support legal compliance and risk management.
• Expertise in risk management, loss prevention, internal audits, and investigations, with the ability to prioritise resources based on risk profiles and business needs.
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills, including experience integrating technology and AI tools to enhance compliance processes.
• In-depth knowledge of UK & ROI legislation, with the ability to advise senior executives and incorporate regulatory changes into compliance audits.
• Experience in contract management and oversight of physical security measures, including alarm systems, monitoring services, and keyholding.
• Ability to prepare and present reports to senior leadership and Audit Committees, communicating findings and recommendations clearly.
• Familiarity with FSC / PEFC Chain of Custody certification and sustainability audits, supporting compliance with environmental standards.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills, building strong relationships across multiple functions.

About Howdens:

As the UK’s leading trade kitchen supplier, Howdens proudly supports over trade professionals through our network of 850 depots. As a constituent of the FTSE 100 and with sales of £2.3 billion last year, we continue to expand, offering exciting opportunities for growth in a dynamic entrepreneurial environment.

What we can offer you:

• Competitive Salary and Company Performance Related Annual Bonus
• Company Car or Annual Car Allowance
• Private Healthcare for you and your family
• Excellent pension scheme (company contribution of up to 12%)
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays per year, with the opportunity to buy extra holidays.
• Share save scheme.
• Exceptional reward and recognition events.

How to apply:

If Howdens sounds like the kind of place where you can build and develop your career as a Head of Compliance, then we’re keen to hear from you. When you apply, you will need to attach a CV. Good luck with your application.

Howdens is founded on the principle of being Worthwhile for ALL concerned. We’re working hard to ensure we provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. We will do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, please email with the job title and location, and we will be happy to help you.