Health and Safety Manager

We are seeking a highly experienced Health & Safety Manager to drive safety strategy, compliance, and continuous improvement across all operational sites and field-based teams. This is a senior role with responsibility for the health, safety, and food hygiene of approximately 715 engineering, merchandising and logistics staff, across 13 depots and 2 office sites in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The successful candidate will champion a proactive safety culture, ensure compliance with all legal and operational H&S requirements, and provide leadership in training, auditing, and risk management.

The role leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of facilities and health and safety strategies to ensure legal compliance and the promotion of a safe, efficient, and well-managed working environment for all employees across all levels of the organisation. The successful candidate will drive safety initiatives, manage regulatory requirements, deliver training programs, and foster a proactive safety culture while maintaining a workplace that supports business effectiveness and employee wellbeing.

Your Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Monitor and enforce Health & Safety standards across all installation activities, including HGV operations, machine installations, relocations, and removals.
• Conduct risk assessments for installation and other customer movements as required, including but not limited to equipment handling, lifting operations, and vehicle-based work.
• Manage site access permits via customer portals, as required.
• Carry out regular site inspections and audits, ensuring compliance with company H&S policies and statutory requirements.
• Investigate accidents, incidents, and near-misses in field operations; implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Support and deliver toolbox talks, on-site training, and awareness campaigns for field staff.
• Maintain accurate H&S records, including risk assessments, incident reports, and training documentation.
• Provide guidance and advice to installation teams and supervisors on safe work practices, lifting equipment, manual handling, and vehicle operations.
• Promote a proactive safety culture among all field-based teams.

Health & Safety Leadership:

• Own the company's Health & Safety strategy and compliance framework.
• Control of H&S, including Food Safety & Hygiene, across 11 depot sites and 2 Office sites (including any new site launches, closures and future relocations).
• Responsibility for the Health and Safety of Engineering, Merchandising and logistics field-based staff (circa 715 employees).
• Monitor, review and maintain Health and Safety policies and practices, making recommendations and implementing new policies and procedures as required.
• Deliver and support training programs, toolbox talks, and health & safety campaigns across all levels of the business.
• Assist in identifying training needs and develop, coordinate, and deliver targeted health and safety training to ensure employee awareness and compliance.
• Create, lead, and coordinate a Health & Safety Committee, ensuring representation from key functions and site locations, appointing and supporting local Health & Safety Champions at each depot to drive site-level engagement, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Implement and maintain health and safety systems and procedures to meet specific requirements such as checks, audits, investigations, risk assessments and accident reporting. This includes the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).
• Investigate, or where appropriate assist others in investigating, the circumstances and causes of accidents and take necessary steps to prevent a recurrence.
• Monitor the services provided to external clients (CDM) and ensure that the team responds proactively to programme constraints.
• Oversee the preparation, maintenance and distribution of CDM Health and Safety files.
• Ensure HACCP is effective, building a 'culture' which drives Food Safety throughout all depot sites, ensuring that hygiene standards are being met.
• Management of food safety non-compliances through hold and concession processes, including decision making with regards to Holds in accordance with PIUK standards.
• A key communicator on Food Safety and Sanitation initiatives within the UK.
• Own and manage the organisational Health & Safety E-learning platform, ensuring content is up to date, relevant, and aligned with legal and operational requirements.
• Provide regular reporting on training completion rates, compliance gaps, and user engagement to key stakeholders and senior leadership.

Operational and Cross-Functional Leadership:

• Collaborate with Operations, HR, IT, Finance, and Procurement to deliver integrated workplace solutions.
• Foster a proactive safety culture through internal communications, leadership engagement, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support business continuity planning, emergency preparedness, and crisis response across all locations.
• Monitor, report, and present on key H&S and property KPIs to leadership teams alongside group.
• Develop and manage H&S and property-related budgets, monitor service charges, and identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency.
• Stay informed of market trends and legal developments relevant to property and facilities management or Health and Safety.
• Travel to sites across the UK and ROI as required.

Requirements:

• Hold an appropriate level of membership of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, (e.g. IOSH Certified).
• Experience in driving and prioritising the H&S Agenda across business, with excellent H&S legislation knowledge.
• Multi-site remit with UK wide travel (approx. 60% of the role involves travel).
• A background within FMCG desirable (Logistics/Retail Environments relevant too).
• Ability to set, plan and see through corrective and preventative actions, using root cause analysis.
• Ability to manage cross functional 'Problem Solving' teams.
• A good understanding of food safety & quality systems - including AIB/BRC, HACCP, etc.
• Lead incident investigations and understand both hold and release processes & food safety risks.
• Excellent written and interpersonal skills and the ability to challenge constructively.
• Project management experience is desirable.
• Relevant professional qualification (e.g., IWFM, RICS, NEBOSH or IOSH) is advantageous but not essential.

Benefits:

• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Life assurance equivalent to 2x your yearly salary.
• Five weeks of occupational paid sick leave for added security.
• Extended leave policy for greater flexibility.
• Free parking at our Head Office and other depot locations.
• Unlimited coffee and tea at our offices to keep you refreshed.
• Clear career progression paths with development opportunities.
• Strong leadership support to help you thrive.
• Employee recognition scheme to celebrate your contributions.
• Mental health and wellbeing support, including access to mental health first aiders.