Head of SHEQ in Kent, Rochester

We are currently seeking experienced and motivated Head of SHEQ to join our growing team. Responsible for leading and improving the Company’s SHEQ management systems to ensure a safe, compliant, sustainable and high-performing business. Acts as the competent SHEQ advisor by developing policies and procedures, conducting risk and environmental assessments, leading audits and inspections, reporting on performance, coordinating training, and managing incident investigations and corrective actions. Maintains external accreditations including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and RoSPA where applicable. Also responsible for overseeing the Training Department, ensuring statutory, mandatory and role-specific training is planned, delivered, recorded and reviewed for effectiveness.

About Us: MTS Cleansing Services is a well-established, family-run business with over 39 years of industry experience. We pride ourselves on delivering reliable, high-quality services while maintaining a supportive and team-focused working environment. Our people are at the heart of what we do. We value hard work, reward commitment, and provide opportunities for long-term career growth within a stable and respected company.

Benefits:

• Company pension & death-in-service cover
• 20 days annual leave, increasing with service + bank holidays
• Employee Assistance & wellbeing programme
• MTS Uniform provided
• Free on-site parking
• Referral programme
• Company events
• Modern, well-maintained equipment
• Strong focus on health, safety, and employee wellbeing
• Long-term career progression and job security

Qualifications:

• NEBOSH (General Certificate as minimum; Construction Certificate desirable depending on operations)
• CMIOSH membership

• ISO 9001/14001/45001 Internal or Lead Auditor qualification and/or IEMA (or equivalent environmental qualification)
• IOSH Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety & Health Leadership and Management

Experience:

• Previous experience in a SHEQ management role (or H&S with demonstrable responsibility for quality and/or environment)
• Demonstrable experience of risk assessments/RAMS, incident investigations, environmental incident response, internal audits and corrective action management (CAPA)
• Proven ability to deliver training/briefings and influence behavioural change to improve SHEQ performance

• Previous experience within the water industry or environmental sector
• Previous experience of high-pressure water jetting and confined space working environments

Main duties and principal responsibilities:

• SHEQ Strategy & Policy Development: Develop, implement and continuously improve integrated SHEQ policies, procedures and objectives aligned to legislation, customer requirements and organisational goals.
• Risk, Aspect & Impact Management: Lead and review risk assessments, method statements and safe systems of work (RAMS/SSOW) across all operational areas, including identification and control of environmental aspects/impacts and quality risks, ensuring controls are implemented and remain effective.
• Compliance, Standards & Assurance: Ensure compliance with relevant HSE and environmental legislation and maintain certification to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. Plan and deliver internal inspections and audits, support external audits, maintain accurate records and action logs, and coordinate Management Review to drive continual improvement.
• Incidents, Non-Conformances & Investigations: Lead investigations into accidents, near misses, environmental incidents and quality non-conformances; complete statutory reporting where required (e.g., RIDDOR); identify root causes and ensure timely corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) are implemented and verified for effectiveness.
• Training, Competence & Communication: Maintain the training matrix and competency requirements; coordinate and/or deliver inductions, toolbox talks and role-specific training (including SHEQ and customer requirements); ensure records are up to date and evaluate effectiveness.
• Leadership, Culture & Performance Reporting: Provide professional SHEQ advice to employees, managers and the Board to embed a proactive culture. Develop and report SHEQ KPIs, trends and improvement plans; facilitate meetings/briefings and support operational teams to close out actions.
• Emergency & Environmental Response Planning: Maintain and test emergency response arrangements, including fire safety, evacuation, first aid, environmental spill/pollution prevention and business continuity interfaces. Ensure lessons learned are captured and actions implemented.

Employee responsibilities (Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Section 7): Employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.

Co-operation (Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Section 7): Employees must co-operate with the Company to enable it to comply with its legal duties, including following management system requirements and safe systems of work, reporting hazards/unsafe conditions and participating in investigations and improvement activities.