Head of Health & Safety in Cornwall

Location: South West England

Employment Type: Permanent | Full Time | On-site

About the Opportunity

Our client is a leading UK manufacturer with a large, fast-paced production operation. They are seeking an experienced Head of Health, Safety & Security to lead the site's safety strategy, drive continuous improvement, and further embed a positive safety culture across the business. This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for developing and delivering the site's Health & Safety strategy, influencing senior stakeholders, and ensuring the highest standards of compliance, operational excellence, and colleague engagement.

The Role

Reporting to the Site Director, the Head of Health, Safety & Security will lead the Health & Safety function, providing strategic direction and technical expertise while ensuring legal compliance and continuous improvement across the site. The successful candidate will work closely with the senior leadership team, engineering, operations, HR and external stakeholders to embed best practice and develop a proactive safety culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Health & Safety Leadership
• Act as the site's lead competent person for Health & Safety.
• Develop and implement the site's Health & Safety strategy and continuous improvement plans.
• Set, monitor and review Health & Safety objectives and KPIs.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to senior leadership on legislative compliance and best practice.
• Influence senior stakeholders to drive a positive and proactive safety culture.
• Develop and maintain Health & Safety policies, procedures and management systems.
• Compliance & Risk Management
• Ensure compliance with all relevant Health & Safety legislation and company standards.
• Conduct audits of high-risk activities including permit-to-work systems, isolation procedures, contractor management and engineering controls.
• Lead accident and incident investigations, ensuring effective root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Manage statutory reporting requirements, including RIDDOR where applicable.
• Monitor legislative updates and implement changes across the site.
• Support capital projects and new equipment installations to ensure legal compliance from design through implementation.
• Leadership & Engagement
• Lead and develop the Health & Safety team.
• Chair and support Health & Safety committees and working groups.
• Deliver presentations, briefings and awareness sessions to colleagues and senior management.
• Coach managers and operational teams to improve Health & Safety performance and accountability.
• Develop competency frameworks and identify training needs across the business.
• Promote behavioural safety initiatives and recognise positive safety behaviours.
• Operational Support
• Work closely with Engineering, Operations and HR to manage workplace risks and occupational health programmes.
• Support claims management and liaise with insurers and external advisors where required.
• Produce regular Health & Safety performance reports and KPI updates for senior leadership.
• Manage departmental budgets and ensure effective use of resources.
• Security
• Oversee site security arrangements and contractor performance.
• Work with the senior leadership team to maintain and improve site security standards.
• Support site risk management and business protection initiatives.

Skills & Experience

• Essential
• NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent Level 6 Health & Safety qualification).
• Significant Health & Safety leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation and compliance.
• Experience developing and implementing Health & Safety strategies.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cultural change.
• Experience leading investigations, audits and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Desirable
• Experience within high-volume manufacturing or FMCG.
• Experience managing security operations alongside Health & Safety.
• Experience delivering training, workshops and leadership presentations.

Key Competencies

• Strategic leadership.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• High attention to detail.
• Project management capability.
• Collaborative leadership style.
• Commercial awareness.
• Resilient, proactive and results-driven approach.

Why Apply?

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a well-established manufacturing business in a senior leadership role where you'll have the autonomy to shape Health & Safety strategy, influence business-wide decision making, and drive continuous improvement across a large operational site. The role offers genuine strategic responsibility, high levels of stakeholder engagement, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on both people and business performance.