Health And Safety Manager in High Wycombe

Health & Safety Manager

Location: Multi-site / Milton Keynes

Reports to: Operations Manager / Managing Director

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Purpose

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Health & Safety Manager to lead and develop the company's health, safety and environmental standards across our automotive manufacturing, showroom and office sites.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, reducing workplace risk, developing a positive safety culture and providing expert advice to site management, employees and senior leadership.

This is a hands-on, multi-site role requiring regular travel between locations. The successful candidate will have strong manufacturing experience, excellent communication skills and the ability to influence at all levels of the organisation.

About the Company

Urban Automotive is a UK-based leader in premium vehicle modification, specialising in bespoke styling for luxury SUVs and performance vehicles. Founded in 2013, Urban has grown into the go-to name for refined design built around an OEM+ philosophy— enhancing original vehicle styling with subtle but striking upgrades. Every line, material, and component is crafted to elevate factory design without compromise.

Operating from our state-of-the-art headquarters in Milton Keynes, we proudly employ over 100 automotive specialists across five facilities, covering design, sales, carbon and metal manufacturing, vehicle preparation, shipping and retail. With everything in-house, we ensure full control, seamless workflow, and unmatched attention to detail.

Key Responsibilities

Health & Safety Leadership

• Take overall responsibility for the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the company's Health & Safety strategy across all locations.
• Provide competent Health & Safety advice to Directors, Senior Management and operational teams.
• Develop and maintain a consistent Health & Safety management system across all sites.
• Establish clear Health & Safety objectives, KPIs and improvement plans.
• Promote a proactive safety culture where safety is embedded into day-to-day operational decision-making.
• Lead and support site-based Health & Safety representatives and managers.
• Regularly visit all sites to monitor standards, provide support and identify opportunities for improvement.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with applicable UK Health & Safety legislation, regulations and recognised industry standards.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance and best practice.
• Develop, review and implement risk assessments and safe systems of work.
• Oversee COSHH assessments and controls.
• Ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for machinery and equipment safety, workplace transport, lifting operations, working at height, confined spaces, fire safety and other manufacturing-related risks.
• Review and improve permit-to-work and contractor management systems where required.
• Support the business in meeting its duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated regulations.

Manufacturing Safety

• Identify and control risks associated with manufacturing processes, machinery, production equipment and maintenance activities.
• Work closely with managers and their teams to ensure machinery and equipment risks are appropriately controlled.
• Support the introduction of new machinery, processes and projects through appropriate risk assessment and safety reviews.
• Investigate unsafe conditions and behaviours and ensure appropriate corrective actions are implemented.
• Drive improvements in accident prevention, near-miss reporting and hazard identification.

Incident Management

• Lead investigations into significant accidents, incidents and near misses.
• Identify root causes and implement corrective and preventative actions.
• Monitor trends in accidents, incidents, near misses and safety observations across all sites.
• Produce regular management reports highlighting performance, trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Liaise with external bodies and enforcement authorities where required.

Auditing & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and implement a programme of internal Health & Safety inspections and audits across all sites.
• Conduct regular site compliance audits and provide clear action plans.
• Monitor completion and effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Benchmark company performance against industry best practice.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to raise Health & Safety standards across the organisation.

Training & Competence

• Develop and deliver appropriate Health & Safety training and awareness programmes.
• Identify training requirements and work with HR and site management to maintain appropriate competency levels.
• Support managers and supervisors in understanding their Health & Safety responsibilities.
• Deliver toolbox talks, safety briefings and management training where appropriate.
• Promote employee engagement and encourage proactive reporting of hazards and near misses.

Environmental Responsibilities

• Support the business with environmental compliance and improvement initiatives where applicable.
• Work with relevant departments to manage environmental risks associated with manufacturing operations.
• Support waste management, spill prevention, pollution prevention and other environmental controls.

Key Performance Indicators

• The Health & Safety Manager will be responsible for monitoring and improving performance against agreed KPIs, which may include:
• Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR).
• Accident and incident rates.
• Near-miss and hazard reporting.
• Completion of risk assessments and corrective actions.
• Internal audit performance.
• Health & Safety training completion.
• Statutory compliance.
• Reduction in high-risk activities and unsafe conditions.
• Site Health & Safety improvement plans.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety or equivalent recognised professional qualification.
• Significant Health & Safety experience within a manufacturing, or similar high-risk environment.
• Proven experience managing Health & Safety across multiple sites.
• Strong working knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Experience conducting risk assessments, audits and incident investigations.
• Experience developing and implementing Health & Safety management systems.
• Experience working with senior management and operational teams.
• Strong understanding of machinery and manufacturing-related risks.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between sites.

Desirable

• Membership of IOSH, ideally at Chartered or Graduate level.
• Experience in Automotive industries
• Environmental qualification or experience, such as ISO 14001.
• Internal Auditor qualification.
• Experience with behavioural safety programmes.
• Experience managing or mentoring Health & Safety Advisors/Coordinators.

Skills & Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be:

• A confident and credible Health & Safety professional.
• Comfortable challenging unsafe practices and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Practical and commercially aware, with the ability to balance safety requirements with operational priorities.
• Strong in communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Analytical, organised and highly detail oriented.
• Proactive rather than reactive.
• Comfortable working independently across multiple locations.
• Able to develop strong relationships with employees at all levels.
• Passionate about creating a positive and sustainable safety culture.
• Resilient and confident when dealing with difficult or high-pressure situations.

What We Offer

• A senior Health & Safety position with responsibility across multiple manufacturing sites.
• The opportunity to shape and lead the company's Health & Safety strategy.
• Direct exposure to senior leadership and operational decision-making.
• A supportive and improvement-focused working environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package, including pension, healthcare plan and additional Christmas closure holiday
• Company travel arrangements/expenses in line with company policy.

Application

We are looking for an experienced Health & Safety professional who can demonstrate a strong track record of improving standards within a manufacturing environment.

If you are a NEBOSH Level 6-qualified Health & Safety Manager with multi-site experience and are looking for an opportunity to make a significant impact across a growing manufacturing organisation, we would be keen to hear from you.

This role is subject to a 3-month probationary period.