Safety Advisor in Essex

This is a key site-based role at the Linford Aircrete blocks operation, a 24/7 manufacturing facility producing concrete and lightweight blocks for housebuilding and commercial construction. The HSE Advisor will provide strategic challenge and hands-on support to the operational management team, ensuring the site delivers in a safe, sustainable and efficient manner whilst driving a continual improvement agenda. The role sits within the HSEQ function and reports into the site management structure, with a dotted-line relationship to the wider HSE team. The position offers excellent scope for professional development, including progression towards Chartered membership of IOSH (CMIOSH) and exposure to a diverse range of manufacturing and environmental challenges.

Key Internal Relationships

• Site Management
• Business Unit Management
• Wider HSE Team

Key External Relationships

• Regulatory Bodies (HSE, Environment Agency)
• Local Communities
• Contractors
• Hauliers

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Help shape and deliver the HSE strategy for the site alongside the site safety improvement plan.
• Provide professional help, support and guidance to management to effectively manage key business risks including process safety, occupational health hazards, and environmental impacts.
• Work with key internal stakeholders to manage ongoing and future projects from initial planning through to successful delivery.
• Represent Linford Aircrete in discussions with regulatory bodies and external stakeholders as required.
• Review, update and report on performance data including safety incidents, observations, occupational hygiene monitoring results, and environmental metrics.
• Lead site-level HSE committee meetings and participate in key risk working groups.
• Support site management with the investigation of incidents, root cause analysis, identification of preventive actions and sharing of learnings.
• Undertake site-level inspections and audits and provide accurate reports detailing corrective actions.
• Support the management and maintenance of site-level management systems and external certification audits (e.g. ISO 45001, ISO 14001).
• Manage and coordinate contractor safety arrangements including inductions, permit to work systems, and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Oversee occupational health surveillance programmes including respiratory health monitoring, hearing conservation, and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) assessments.
• Coordinate occupational hygiene monitoring programmes for silica dust, noise, and vibration exposure.
• Develop and maintain emergency response plans and coordinate emergency drills across the 24/7 operation.
• Support the implementation of behavioural safety programmes and safety culture initiatives.
• Provide safety leadership coaching to supervisors and team leaders, particularly for shift operations.
• Manage environmental compliance including dust suppression, waste management, water discharge consents, and community noise management.
• Ensure effective management of critical safety systems including lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space entry, working at height, and mobile plant operations.

Key Characteristics

For this role you should be/have:

• An effective communicator with a drive to succeed and a willingness to challenge accepted practice.
• Good negotiation skills and the ability to build effective arguments and business cases.
• Resilient under pressure and flexible enough to adapt to different situations.
• Able to adapt your communication style according to your audience, from shop floor operatives to senior management.
• Comfortable working in a manufacturing environment and engaging with shift workers across a 24/7 operation.
• A collaborative team player who can also work independently and manage your own workload effectively.
• Committed to continuous professional development and keeping your HSE knowledge current.

Key Functional Competencies

You possess the following:

• Good legislative knowledge and the ability to keep that knowledge up to date (including CDM, COSHH, PUWER, LOLER, Working at Height Regulations, and environmental permits).
• Effective time planning and organisation skills with the ability to prioritise tasks across a 24/7 operation.
• Ability to build rapport quickly with operational management and the workforce to ensure effective ongoing relationships at all levels.
• Analytical strengths to identify problems at an early stage and put forward and implement effective solutions.
• An ability to see the bigger picture and understand how HSE performance impacts operational efficiency and business success.
• Strong understanding of occupational hygiene principles and health surveillance requirements.
• Knowledge of process safety management and machinery safety standards.
• Understanding of behavioural safety principles and safety culture development.
• Proficiency in HSE data management, reporting, and the use of digital safety management systems.

Tarmac / CRH Behaviours & Experiences Shape Our Future

• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Self-development: Actively seeking new ways to grow and challenge using both formal and informal development channels.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy and enthusiasm.
• Drives Value: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Situational Adaptability: Adapting approach and demeanour in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Fosters Inclusivity: Recognises the value that different perspectives bring to an organisation.
• Instils Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.

Experiences Delivering at Scale

• Business Partnering (Functions): Built respectful enduring relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Achieves outcomes that meet both their own needs and that of their stakeholders.
• Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence: Suggested improvements to existing procedures. Driven greater efficiencies and streamlined processes within assigned area.
• Promoting a Safety Climate: Improved the safety of products and production/operational processes. Dealt with an important safety-related issue.
• Broadening Perspective: Has had exposure to a broader network of people at different levels across the organisation and outside of the organisation (professional or industry groups). Understands how different areas of the value chain impact each other's performance.

Key Challenges

• Communicating with Senior Stakeholders: Experience interacting with and tailoring communication to engage senior audiences.
• Domain Expertise: Holds relevant qualifications, knowledge and experience in their area of responsibility.
• English Language Proficiency: Has the English language skills required to do their job effectively.

Experience / Education

Experience ideally 3-5 years' experience in a site-based or multi-site HSE role, preferably in manufacturing or heavy industry. Experience in delivering training to both small and larger groups, and the ability to provide coaching and support on a 1-2-1 basis. Experience working in a unionised environment would be beneficial. Practical experience managing occupational health programmes including health surveillance and occupational hygiene monitoring. Understanding of process safety management in manufacturing environments. Experience with contractor management and permit to work systems. Knowledge of emergency response planning and incident command. Familiarity with behavioural safety programmes and safety culture initiatives. Experience with ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems and external certification audits would be advantageous.

Qualifications

NEBOSH Diploma qualified (or equivalent) with CMIOSH status or actively working towards Chartered membership.

Skills & Knowledge

Good environmental knowledge including regulatory requirements, environmental permits, and compliance obligations.

Why Tarmac

We don't just offer a job, we offer a career. Alongside this role, you'll have access to industry-leading rewards, development opportunities, and a culture that puts people first, including:

• Bonus scheme
• Enhanced holiday entitlement
• Contributory pension scheme
• Access to the Tarmac Reward website with discounts on retailers, holidays, etc.
• Access to our Employee Assistance helpline for free and confidential advice
• Access to join our Employee Communities (employee networks) we currently have nine communities inc.(REACH) Religious, Ethnic, Cultural Heritage, LGBTQ+, Parents & carers, Ability, Wellbeing, Female voice and menopause
• Training and development opportunities

Tarmac is committed to being a Forces-friendly employer. If you're coming from a military background, we'll support your transition and help you build a successful career with us. We're proud to be part of CRH, and even prouder to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know, we're here to support you. Ready to build your future? Click Apply to get started. Please note: we sometimes close roles early due to high interest, so don't wait too long!