Health & Safety Manager in Harlow

Why join us at ITS? ITS are one of the largest independent power & hand tool suppliers in the UK with a hugely successful online presence and retail operation with ambitious plans for future growth and development. Our company prides itself on its strong work ethic, friendly and sociable atmosphere with a management structure who are supportive and keen to encourage internal progression.

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Health & Safety Manager to take full responsibility for health and safety across our growing, multi-site business. Working closely with senior management, site managers and the existing facilities function, the role will ensure that Health and Safety is embedded into day-to-day operations across retail stores, warehouses, offices and distribution activities, while remaining practical, proportionate and commercially aware. The successful candidate will own the end-to-end health and safety function, putting robust policies, procedures and controls in place and ensuring they are rooted, understood and adhered to across all sites. This is a hands-on role, requiring regular site presence, strong engagement with operational teams and the confidence to set standards and challenge where required.

Key Responsibilities

• Health & Safety Leadership
  • Take full accountability for health and safety across all company locations.
  • Act as the competent person for health and safety matters.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain a clear and practical H&S framework aligned with current legislation and best practice.
  • Provide clear leadership, guidance, and challenge to ensure standards are consistently met.
  • Act as the principal Health and Safety advisor to senior management.
  • Hold managers and teams accountable for meeting health and safety standards.
• Policy, Compliance & Governance
  • Create, review, and maintain health and safety policies, procedures, and risk assessments for all operational areas.
  • Ensure full compliance with UK health and safety legislation.
  • Monitor legislative changes and ensure timely updates to company policies.
  • Prepare the business for audits, inspections, and regulatory visits.
  • Maintain accurate Health and Safety records and documentation.
  • Produce clear, practical reports for senior management outlining risks, actions, and progress.
  • Ensure RIDDOR reporting is completed accurately and on time where required.
• Operational Safety
  • Conduct regular site audits, inspections, and risk assessments.
  • Identify hazards, implement controls, and drive corrective actions.
  • Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses.
  • Identify root causes and implement preventative measures to reduce reoccurrence.
  • Track trends and provide insight to management to drive continual improvement.
  • Oversee fire safety, COSHH, manual handling, DSE, contractor safety, and workplace risk assessments.
• Training & Culture
  • Develop and deliver health and safety training, inductions, and toolbox talks.
  • Support managers in understanding and applying health and safety requirements.
  • Promote a strong safety culture across the business.
• New Stores & Growth
  • Lead health and safety input for new store openings.
  • Ensure consistent standards are applied as the retail estate expands.
• Facilities & Cross-Functional Working
  • Work closely with the Facilities function to ensure safe maintenance of buildings and equipment.

Success in this role will be measured by improved compliance, effective engagement with operational teams and the consistent application of health and safety standards across all sites.

Skills & Experience

• Essential
  • Proven experience in a Health & Safety role within a multi-site environment.
  • Strong knowledge of UK health and safety legislation.
  • Ability to work independently and take ownership.
  • Confident communicator with a practical approach.
• Desirable
  • Retail or logistics experience.
  • Experience supporting business growth.

Qualifications

• NEBOSH General Certificate (essential)
• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent (desirable)
• IOSH membership (desirable)

Personal Attributes

• Credible, calm, and confident
• Approachable but firm when standards need enforcing
• Hands-on and visible across sites
• Organised with strong attention to detail
• Pragmatic and commercially aware

If you think you have the drive and passion to excel in this role and have the appropriate skills and experience we would love to hear from you.

Benefits

• 28 days holiday (inclusive of Bank holidays) which increases with length of service up to 33 days
• Employee Discount
• Pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free secure on-site parking
• Great facilities with free tea/coffee
• Company & ad-hoc team social events