At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead EHS strategy for UK sites, ensuring safety and sustainability standards.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company committed to safety and environmental responsibility.
- Benefits: Inclusive culture, personal growth opportunities, and impactful work on people and the planet.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of safety and sustainability while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in EHS leadership within regulated environments and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
In this role, you will lead the environmental, health and safety strategy for our UK sites, aligning with business goals and ensuring consistent EHS standards. You’ll steer the UK EHS community, including the Irvine site, with hands-on governance of objectives, budgets and risk reduction. You will embed process safety, compliance and emergency planning into daily operations, driving continuous improvement through data-driven insights. This leadership position offers a chance to influence safety and sustainability performance across our UK operations and partner networks.
Pay / Benefits
- Culture of inclusion and belonging
- Opportunity to shape safety and sustainability
- Growth and development at own pace
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Impact of work on people and planet
- Supportive leadership culture
Responsibilities
- Lead and support the UK EHS community across multiple locations
- Develop and execute the EHS strategy for Irvine site with local team leadership
- Set and govern EHS objectives, metrics, and budget oversight
- Identify, assess and reduce risk using data, trends and root-cause analysis
- Ensure compliance with environmental, health and safety legislation and sustainability requirements
- Lead emergency preparedness and response planning for critical incidents
- Promote process safety integration into operations
- Develop, report and improve EHS KPIs
- Embed safety protocols and training for employees, contractors and partners
- Champion continuous improvement and adoption of new technologies and best practices
- Coach and develop EHS talent and build autonomous teams
- Influence EHS management across UK operations and contribute to safety and sustainability performance
Key requirements
- Experience leading an EHS team in manufacturing, life science or regulated environments
- Strong knowledge of EHS legislation and sustainability/waste management
- Understanding of process safety management and OT standards
- Proven risk assessment, hazard identification and incident prevention
- Ability to leverage EHS data to drive decisions and performance
- Experience developing emergency response plans and managing incidents
- Track record of establishing EHS KPIs, governance and reporting
- Experience training and ensuring compliance across employees and external partners
- Strong communication and influencing skills with site management
- Commitment to coaching and developing EHS talent
- Proactive, pragmatic, improvement-focused mindset
- Role model for safety and sustainability
- Influencing across functions
- Collaborative mindset
- Problem-solving
- Regulatory compliance knowledge
- Process safety management
- Risk assessment and root-cause analysis
Head of EHS (UK operations) employer: Merck
Join a dynamic team in Livingston where innovation meets inclusivity! As a Production Operator in our cleanroom, you'll benefit from a supportive work culture that values diverse perspectives and fosters personal growth. With opportunities for professional development and a commitment to employee well-being, we empower you to make a meaningful impact in the fields of Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of EHS (UK operations)
✨Get Involved in Local Environmental Initiatives
Dive into your local environmental scenes, like community clean-up projects or eco-focused events. Not only will you meet like-minded people, but it's a surefire way to showcase your passion and skills in environmental engineering tech.
✨Join Industry-Specific Organisations
Check out organisations like the Institution of Environmental Engineers for networking opportunities and resources. They often host events and seminars that can help us connect with key players in the industry, including potential employers like Merck.
✨Show Off Your Projects and Passion
Create a portfolio that highlights any relevant projects, whether it's coursework, internships, or personal initiatives. Share this online, perhaps even on platforms like GitHub or your own website, to grab the attention of hiring managers looking for talent like us.
✨Utilise Environmental Job Boards
Take advantage of niche job boards dedicated to environmental careers. Sites like Green Jobs, Environmental Career and EcoJobs often feature openings from companies like Merck and can help us land that full-time gig.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of EHS (UK operations)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for a role in environmental engineering tech, make sure to highlight your technical skills like CAD software proficiency, data analysis, or modelling techniques. These are essential for the job and should stand out in your CV and cover letter, showing how you can contribute to projects at Merck.
Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability:In this field, showcasing your passion for sustainability and environmental protection can set you apart. Include any relevant projects, volunteer experience, or courses that underline your commitment to these causes. Merck will appreciate candidates who genuinely care about making a difference.
Tailor Your Application to the Role:Don't just send a generic CV and cover letter. Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Head of EHS (UK operations) at Merck. Highlight experiences that align directly with the job description and give concrete examples of your work to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a full-time position.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have certifications related to environmental engineering or technology, like LEED Accreditation or any relevant software certifications, make sure to mention them. These qualifications can boost your application and show that you’re serious about your professional development in this competitive field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Merck
✨Brush Up on Environmental Regulations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest environmental regulations and standards. In an environmental engineering tech role at Merck, you might be asked specific questions about compliance measures, so understanding these will definitely give you an edge.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your proficiency with relevant tools and software, such as AutoCAD or GIS. You might be given a practical problem to solve during the interview, so it’s a great idea to brush up on these skills and perhaps even bring a portfolio of your projects to showcase your technical prowess.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sustainability
In a full-time role, employers are looking for commitment and enthusiasm. Share your experiences, studies, or projects that reflect your passion for environmental sustainability. This will show Merck that you're not just qualified but genuinely invested in the field.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Be ready for behavioural questions that assess how you handle teamwork, conflict, and project management. Think of examples from your studies or practical experiences where you tackled challenges effectively, showcasing both your technical and interpersonal skills.
