At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safety culture and continuous improvement on a dynamic manufacturing site.
- Company: Join a FTSE-listed business prioritising SHEQ in a vibrant environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, health care plan, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy genuine autonomy and be part of an exciting investment programme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety and sustainability in a cutting-edge manufacturing setting.
- Qualifications: NEBOSH Diploma required; hands-on SHEQ experience in heavy industry preferred.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 € per year.
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 per annum
Type: Full Time
Region: UK - South East
Town/City: Reading, Berkshire
Posted: 13/05/2026
Reading | Up to £65,000 + Car Allowance
Own the safety culture on an 80-person, four-line manufacturing site that is investing millions into its next chapter. This is the SHEQ seat you’ve been waiting for. Not a desk job. Not a policy-writing role buried in a regional team. You’ll be the senior SHEQ voice on site, reporting into senior site leadership, trusted with genuine autonomy over site delivery within a strong group framework, and backed by a FTSE-listed business that treats SHEQ as a boardroom priority, not a tick-box exercise.
The Site: A long-established heavy manufacturing operation less than 10 miles from Reading, producing at scale across four production lines. Eight decades of heritage, but this is no museum. The site is in the middle of a major investment programme. New infrastructure, new technology, advanced problem-solving and continuous improvement techniques are being rolled out across every line. You’re coming in at the exciting bit.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the site safety culture and continuous improvement programme, embedding a genuine "home safe every day" mindset on the shop floor
- Own ISO 45001, 14001 and 9001 compliance, audits, and the full site SHEQ management system
- Drive incident investigation, root cause analysis and corrective action – and actually see it closed out
- Partner with production, engineering and maintenance leaders to design safety INTO the process, not bolt it on afterwards
- Own environmental reporting, permits, waste streams and sustainability targets
- Run IOSH/NEBOSH-level training, toolbox talks and contractor management
- Represent the site to HSE, EA, Group SHEQ and external auditors
- Build and coach a site-wide SHEQ mindset across 80+ people and a strong leadership team
Qualifications:
- NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent) essential. IEMA and Quality qualifications highly desirable
- Hands-on SHEQ leadership experience in manufacturing or construction – heavy industrial, building materials, aggregates, concrete, cement, steel, automotive, FMCG process or large construction sites; all transfer brilliantly
- Proven track record implementing safety culture programmes that actually changed behaviour
- Strong across ISO 45001, 14001, 9001 (auditor qualifications a bonus)
- Credible with shop-floor operators AND senior leadership – you flex both ways
- Environmental compliance experience (permits, emissions, waste) – we take this seriously
Benefits:
- Salary between £55,000 to £65,000 depending on experience
- 26 days holiday + bank holidays
- 5% employer-matched pension scheme
- Health care cash plan – dental, optical, prescriptions and more
- Enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Adoption leave
- Cycle to work scheme
- Staff discount on products
- Retail discounts & wellbeing hub
- Life assurance and share purchase scheme
- Genuine autonomy – you run SHEQ on this site
- Career runway – the site sits within a FTSE-listed group with a UK-wide manufacturing footprint
SHEQ Manager in Reading employer: The Construction Index Ltd
Join a forward-thinking FTSE-listed manufacturing site in Reading, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the safety culture and driving continuous improvement across a dynamic team of 80. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, offering generous benefits such as a competitive salary, extensive holiday allowance, and a robust pension scheme, this is an opportunity to thrive in a supportive environment that prioritises genuine autonomy and career growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SHEQ Manager in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their SHEQ priorities and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the right fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your achievements and how they relate to the role of SHEQ Manager. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership in safety culture and compliance – this will make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace SHEQ Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Safety:When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for SHEQ! Share specific examples of how you've fostered a safety culture in previous roles. We want to know what drives you to ensure everyone goes home safe every day.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure your CV and cover letter are tailored to the SHEQ Manager role. Highlight your hands-on experience in manufacturing or construction, and don’t forget to mention your qualifications like NEBOSH or IEMA. We love seeing how your background aligns with our needs!
Be Authentic and Personable:We’re looking for someone who can connect with both shop-floor operators and senior leadership. Use a friendly tone in your application to show us your personality. Let us know how you’ve built relationships and coached teams in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Construction Index Ltd
✨Know Your SHEQ Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of ISO 45001, 14001, and 9001. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented safety culture programmes in the past and how you can bring that experience to the table. This role is all about genuine safety leadership, so show them you know your stuff!
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
This isn't a desk job, so be prepared to share specific examples of your hands-on SHEQ leadership in manufacturing or construction. Talk about how you've driven continuous improvement and engaged with shop-floor operators. They want to see that you can flex between the shop floor and senior leadership.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you'd handle real-life situations, like incident investigations or embedding safety into processes. Think through some scenarios beforehand and be ready to explain your thought process and the actions you would take. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and proactive mindset.
✨Emphasise Your Coaching Skills
Since you'll be building a site-wide SHEQ mindset, highlight your experience in coaching and training others. Discuss any IOSH/NEBOSH-level training you've conducted and how you've successfully engaged teams in safety practices. They’ll want to know how you can inspire and lead a culture of safety across the site.
