QHSE Manager in Northampton

The company, a successful manufacturing business and a recent acquisition by a privately owned 11,000-employee global organisation, is entering a major growth phase following significant investment. This will create strong opportunities for employees to develop meaningful long-term careers, supported by structured training, development and progression.

Due to continued expansion and the introduction of new systems, processes and compliance requirements, the business is now seeking a QHSE Manager to lead and strengthen its Quality, Health & Safety and Environmental functions.

Are you an experienced and proactive QHSE professional who can lead quality, safety and environmental standards across a growing manufacturing organisation? We are looking for a QHSE Manager to take ownership of our management systems, drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance with ISO standards, customer requirements and UK legislation.

You will be responsible for maintaining and developing the company’s Quality Management System, leading Health & Safety compliance and overseeing Environmental Management activities. Working closely with Directors, senior managers and operational teams, you will play a key role in promoting a strong culture of quality, safety, environmental responsibility and continuous improvement.

If you enjoy leading compliance, improving systems, influencing teams and ensuring high operational standards, we would love to hear from you.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Quality Management
• Lead and maintain the company’s Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and relevant customer, industry and regulatory requirements.
• Manage internal and external audits, including certification and customer audits.
• Develop, review and maintain quality policies, procedures, work instructions and records.
• Monitor product and process quality performance and report KPIs to senior management.
• Manage non-conformances, customer complaints and corrective/preventive actions.
• Lead root cause investigations using 5 Whys, 8D and other structured methodologies.
• Ensure corrective actions are implemented, verified and closed out effectively.
• Work with Operations, Engineering and Purchasing to improve process capability and reduce defects, waste and rework.
• Support supplier approval, monitoring and development.
• Maintain inspection, testing and quality-control arrangements.
• Ensure measuring and monitoring equipment is controlled and calibrated.
• Promote risk-based thinking and continuous improvement across the organisation.
• Lead management reviews and provide accurate performance information.
• Maintain quality records and ensure effective document control.
• Health & Safety
• Act as the organisation's competent lead for workplace Health & Safety.
• Maintain and improve the Health & Safety Management System (ISO 45001).
• Ensure compliance with UK Health & Safety legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain Health & Safety policies, procedures and safe systems of work.
• Coordinate workplace risk assessments and ensure appropriate controls are implemented.
• Undertake workplace inspections and Health & Safety audits.
• Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, ensuring corrective actions are completed.
• Maintain accident/incident records and coordinate RIDDOR reporting where required.
• Advise managers and employees on safe working practices and responsibilities.
• Coordinate Health & Safety training, inductions and refresher programmes.
• Support COSHH assessments and controls.
• Assist with emergency preparedness, fire safety and evacuation procedures.
• Monitor Health & Safety performance and report trends and risks to senior management.
• Promote employee engagement and a proactive safety culture.
• Environmental Management
• Develop, maintain and improve the Environmental Management System.
• Support compliance with ISO 14001 where applicable.
• Identify relevant environmental legislation and ensure compliance.
• Maintain environmental aspects/impacts assessments and associated controls.
• Monitor environmental performance (waste, energy, water, emissions, resource use).
• Coordinate waste-management arrangements and maintain required documentation.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, energy use and environmental impact.
• Investigate environmental incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Support sustainability and environmental improvement objectives.
• Provide environmental performance information and recommendations to senior management.
• Auditing, Compliance & Continuous Improvement
• Develop and manage an integrated internal audit programme covering QHSE requirements.
• Coordinate external certification, regulatory and customer audits.
• Maintain registers of applicable legislation, standards and compliance obligations.
• Ensure audit findings and non-conformances are addressed within agreed timescales.
• Analyse performance data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Lead or support continuous-improvement initiatives across the business.
• Support measurable QHSE objectives and improvement plans.
• Provide regular QHSE reports to senior management.

About You

You’ll be an experienced QHSE professional with strong leadership skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to influence teams at all levels. You’ll be confident managing certified management systems, conducting audits, driving compliance and promoting a positive culture of quality, safety and environmental responsibility.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Recognised qualification in Quality Management or substantial equivalent experience.
• Demonstrable experience managing an ISO 9001 Quality Management System.
• Formal Health & Safety qualification (NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent).
• Strong knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation and practical risk management.
• Internal Auditor or Lead Auditor training/qualification.
• Experience conducting audits, managing non-conformances and implementing corrective actions.
• Strong understanding of root cause analysis and continuous-improvement techniques.
• Good IT skills.

Desirable

• Degree or HND/HNC with relevant experience.
• NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate or equivalent.
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor qualification.
• ISO 14001 and/or ISO 45001 auditing qualifications.
• Experience managing integrated QHSE management systems.
• Lean, Six Sigma or similar CI qualification.

Experience

• 3-5 years Quality Management experience, ideally within manufacturing/engineering.
• Experience owning a certified ISO 9001 QMS.
• Practical experience of internal, external and customer audits.
• Experience managing customer complaints, non-conformances and corrective actions.
• Experience supporting or managing Health & Safety in an operational environment.
• Experience with environmental compliance and management systems.
• Experience communicating with certification bodies, customers, suppliers and regulators.
• Ability to influence managers and employees at all levels.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and influencing skills.
• Excellent knowledge of quality-management principles.
• Practical understanding of Health & Safety risk management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret standards, legislation and customer requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence challenging unsafe or non-compliant practices.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Practical, solutions-focused approach.
• Strong organisational and record-keeping skills.
• Commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments.

General Responsibilities

The QHSE Manager is expected to maintain professional competence and stay up to date with changes in legislation, standards and industry best practice. The postholder will undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the seniority of the role and contribute to the organisation's operational and strategic objectives.