Health and Safety Manager in Brentwood

A well-established, large-scale manufacturing business based in Essex is looking for an experienced Health and Safety Manager (SHE Manager) to lead its SHE function across a high-volume processing operation. This is a senior, hands-on role with real influence across the business - working alongside operations, engineering, HR and senior leadership to drive a strong safety culture, protect the health and wellbeing of the workforce, and deliver meaningful environmental improvement. With a 24/7 operational footprint, this role requires someone who is comfortable working flexibly to engage across all shifts and functions. The position is predominantly site-based, with one day per week working from home.

As the Health and Safety Manager, you will take full ownership of the company's safety, health and environmental agenda. Day to day, this will involve a broad and varied mix of strategic oversight, compliance management, hands-on investigation and cross-functional collaboration. Key responsibilities will include:

• Maintaining and developing robust management systems across safety, health and environment, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks - including PUWER, DSEAR, COSHH, Working at Height, Confined Spaces, Fire Safety and Manual Handling.
• Owning the risk assessment programme across the site; investigating accidents, near misses and hazardous incidents, driving corrective actions and managing RIDDOR reporting.
• Acting as the primary point of contact for external regulatory bodies, including the HSE and Fire Authority, and managing all associated compliance obligations.
• Chairing H&S committees, leading site-wide safety audits and embedding a proactive, people-first safety culture at every level of the organisation.
• Managing occupational health provision and health surveillance in partnership with HR, supporting managers in assessing individual health capability and fitness for role.
• Monitoring and reporting on energy consumption and environmental performance, leading improvement programmes to reduce the operation's environmental impact.
• Maintaining the company's Environmental Management System and contributing to the wider sustainability agenda, including Net Zero and waste reduction targets.
• Supporting the delivery of safety-related capital projects and providing training, coaching and mentoring to managers and staff across the business.

What We're Looking For:

• Significant SHE management experience gained within a manufacturing environment - high-volume or continuous processing backgrounds are particularly relevant.
• NEBOSH Diploma as a minimum; IOSH or IEMA membership preferred, with Chartered status (or working towards it) an advantage.
• Strong working knowledge of UK safety legislation and the key hazard areas common to large-scale manufacturing operations.
• Experience developing and sustaining management systems aligned to ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 frameworks.
• Confident engaging with external authorities such as the HSE and Environmental Health Officers.
• Familiarity with environmental reporting obligations, including ESOS, CCL and sustainability frameworks such as Net Zero.
• A pragmatic, structured approach - able to manage day-to-day SHE matters while keeping a clear focus on longer-term improvement.
• The communication skills and personal credibility to influence at all levels, from the shop floor to the boardroom.

Package:

• Company car
• Competitive company pension
• Hybrid working: primarily site-based with option of one day per week from home around activity

If you feel you have the right skillset for Health and Safety Manager (SHE Manager), and you have the right to work in the UK (Sponsorship is not offered for this position) and are based within a commutable distance from South Essex - this role could be your next career move!