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- Tasks: Lead HSE strategy and ensure compliance in a major food manufacturing organisation.
- Company: A leading UK food manufacturer with a focus on safety and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, health package, and product discounts.
- Other info: Hands-on role with significant influence and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of HSE in a rapidly growing business and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: NEBOSH Diploma required; senior HSE experience in food manufacturing preferred.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
A major UK food manufacturing organisation is seeking an exceptional Head of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) to lead its HSE strategy and support its transition into a new state‑of‑the‑art facility. This is a senior leadership role with significant influence, strategic scope and the opportunity to shape the future HSE landscape of a rapidly growing business, however, is very much a hands on role until the business reaches its ambitious goals.
Key Accountabilities
- Lead the enterprise-wide HSE strategy, policy framework and management systems (HACCP, BRCGS, ISO 45001, ISO 14001).
- Ensure full compliance with UK legislation, regulatory requirements, insurance standards and customer audits.
- Oversee risk management, strategic risk registers, audit programmes and major incident prevention.
- Serve as the primary HSE representative with regulators, auditors, insurers, fire authorities and environmental bodies.
- Drive a high‑performing safety culture across leadership and operational teams.
- Provide authoritative HSE advice to the Executive Team and Senior Leadership.
- Lead all HSE aspects of the new facility.
- Own the HSE budget, resource planning and strategic investment in HSE capability.
- Drive environmental sustainability initiatives across energy, carbon, waste, emissions and ESG commitments.
- Provide leadership in crisis management, emergency response and business continuity planning.
Essential Skills & Experience
- NEBOSH Diploma (mandatory).
- IEMA Diploma or equivalent environmental qualification would be great, but don’t worry if not.
- Chartered IOSH (CMIOSH) or ability to achieve within 12 months.
- Senior HSE leadership experience within large-scale food manufacturing or a similar high‑risk environment, with ability to deliver organisation-wide HSE strategy.
- Strong stakeholder influence and ability to challenge at senior levels.
- Experience leading HSE aspects of major projects (e.g., new builds, capital expansions).
- Strong knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.
Head of Health, Safety & Environment in Essex employer: MOrePeople
Contact Detail:
MOrePeople Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Health, Safety & Environment in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can get you in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s HSE initiatives and recent projects. Show us you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their goals right from the start!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in leading HSE strategies and compliance. We want to hear how you can make an impact!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Health, Safety & Environment in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Health, Safety & Environment role. Highlight your experience with HSE strategies and any relevant qualifications like NEBOSH or IEMA. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led HSE initiatives in the past and how you can contribute to our ambitious goals.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: This is a senior leadership role, so don’t shy away from showcasing your leadership skills. Talk about your experience in driving safety culture and influencing stakeholders at all levels. We want to know how you can lead our HSE strategy!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at MOrePeople
✨Know Your HSE Frameworks
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key frameworks like HACCP, BRCGS, ISO 45001, and ISO 14001. Brush up on how these standards apply to the food manufacturing sector, as you’ll need to demonstrate your expertise in leading HSE strategies that align with these regulations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led HSE initiatives in previous roles. Think about times when you influenced senior stakeholders or drove a safety culture within teams. This is a senior leadership role, so they’ll want to see your ability to inspire and manage others.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to crisis management or compliance issues. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making skills in these scenarios, as it will show your strategic thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Understand the Business Goals
Research the company’s ambitions and how the new facility fits into their overall strategy. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to achieving these goals through effective HSE management. This shows that you’re not just focused on compliance but also on driving business success.