Health and Safety Lead (Operations)

At Panda, we value waste. That means finding smarter, safer and more sustainable ways to recover value from materials, reduce environmental impact and keep essential operations running efficiently. We are looking for an experienced H&S Lead to support our Collections, Operations and Processing teams across key specialist safety areas, including machinery safety, fire safety, electrical safety and work at height. This is a visible, hands-on role where you will act as a technical safety lead for the business, working closely with operational teams to improve standards, reduce risk and strengthen our safety culture. The H&S Lead will combine practical site engagement with data-led insight, helping Panda stay ahead of regulatory, operational and industry expectations.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Act as Panda’s technical lead for machinery safety, electrical safety, fire safety and work at height.
• Develop, maintain and improve safety standards, procedures and guidance across specialist risk areas.
• Provide expert advice and practical support to operational, engineering and project teams.
• Lead specialist risk reviews, audits and assurance activity across sites.
• Stay up to date with emerging risks, legislation, technology and best practice within the waste, recycling and industrial sectors.
• Use safety data to identify trends, themes, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Produce clear reports, dashboards and insight papers for senior leadership.
• Lead or support investigations into incidents, near misses and high-potential events.
• Share learning across the business and help embed stronger controls and standards.
• Carry out regular site visits to support operational teams and build local safety capability.
• Coach and guide managers and frontline teams in specialist risk areas.
• Work closely with H&S Business Partners, SHEQ teams and operational leaders to drive consistent safety standards.

About You

You will be a confident and credible health and safety professional with strong technical knowledge and the ability to turn complex safety requirements into practical operational solutions. You will bring:

• Significant experience in a Health and Safety role within industrial, recycling, manufacturing, engineering, logistics or operational environments.
• Strong knowledge of specialist risk areas such as machinery safety, electrical safety, work at height and fire safety.
• Experience leading or supporting incident investigations and identifying root causes.
• The ability to analyse safety data and turn it into clear actions and recommendations.
• Confidence presenting information to senior stakeholders and operational teams.
• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent, or working towards.
• IOSH membership or equivalent professional membership.
• A practical, visible and collaborative approach to safety leadership.

It would also be beneficial if you have:

• Specialist training or qualifications in machinery safety, electrical safety, work at height or fire safety.
• Experience developing safety standards, technical guidance or assurance frameworks.
• Experience presenting to senior leadership or board-level audiences.
• Chartered IOSH status, or working towards it.

What We’re Looking For

This H&S Lead role would suit someone who is:

• Visible and approachable across sites.
• Confident challenging standards in a constructive way.
• Practical and solutions-focused.
• Comfortable working with both frontline teams and senior leaders.
• Data-led, but able to keep recommendations clear and operationally relevant.
• Proactive in identifying risks before they become issues.
• Passionate about helping teams work safely and consistently.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced H&S Lead to make a real impact across a growing operational business, helping shape safer ways of working across Panda’s Collections, Operations and Processing teams.

About The Company

We are Panda. We value waste. We’re in the business of waste management but that doesn’t just mean collecting bins. Behind every collection is a passionate team of people finding smarter, safer, and more sustainable ways to recycle and repurpose materials that would otherwise go to waste. Over the past 30 years, Panda has grown into a leading resource recovery business, bringing together almost 3,000 people across multiple brands, united by a shared vision and strong values. While our operations are diverse, our purpose is clear: to protect our people, support our customers, and create positive impact for the communities and environments we serve. At Panda, people are at the heart of everything we do. We work as one team, combining different skills, experiences, and perspectives to achieve shared goals. We care for each other’s wellbeing, encourage development, and support growth because we know we’re stronger together. We expect excellence in how we operate. High standards, bold thinking, and continuous improvement drive our passion for innovation. We challenge the ordinary, put safety first, and embrace new ideas while delivering practical, cost-effective solutions that move our business forward. We own what we do. From day-to-day tasks to major projects, we take pride in our work and responsibility for the outcome. We don’t walk past problems we address them together. Our expertise, reliability, and care reflect who we are and the difference we make. And above all, we act with trust and integrity. Trust is built through open communication, honesty, and accountability. It allows us to move quickly, make confident decisions, and deliver results — knowing our people are empowered to do the right thing. Our journey depends on talented, committed people who want to make an impact. Take the first step and join us on the journey.

Panda is committed to attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate and the people we serve.