Head of Health, Safety and Facilities in Bedford

UTAC is a market-leading international group in digital & sustainable mobility, customisable testing solutions, vehicle engineering, homologation, regulatory advice & expertise, certification, training, corporate events and classic & sportscars festivals. The Group provides services and test solutions to customers in the various sectors: mobility, transport, tyre, petrochemical, agriculture and defence industries. UTAC operates test centres and laboratories in France (including the official Euro NCAP facility), the UK, USA, Finland and Morocco; it has subsidiaries in China, Japan, South Korea, Italy & Romania. UTAC employs around 1300 people across its various locations.

As a group we share a strong and clear vision to deliver safe and efficient solutions and systems to our customers. We are proud and confident in our heritage, our capabilities and our people and believe that by creating a culture where individuals feel they can make a difference and enjoy coming to work, we can deliver the best possible service to our customers. Our core values of Expertise, Innovation and Integrity provide a clear daily guide to how we work together safely, as one team, helping each other to succeed.

Purpose

An extremely varied, busy and challenging role, reporting directly to the Technical Director, dealing with most non-engineering activities at the Millbrook and Leyland sites, with full accountability for profit and loss accounts of non-engineering profit centres and support departments.

Responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the entire 680 acre Millbrook site including circa 400,000 sqft of buildings, extensive grounds that includes 70km of roads and tracks plus all of the infrastructure to support the laboratories, offices and workshops. In addition, responsibility for the Leyland facility and personnel, plus occasional interactions with the landlord.

Responsible for the construction element of the capital expenditure expansion plan, collaborating with the business unit leadership ensuring projects are built to the right quality, on time and to budget.

Responsible for Health, Safety and Environmental compliance across the entire business, all aspects of physical security and Millbrook site catering.

The candidate

Demonstrably experienced and a commercially minded individual with proven leadership experience gained during a career operating within a leading engineering and/or test business. Engaging and determined leader, with a naturally collaborative and tactful style. Possessing excellent management and influencing skills, capable of inspiring confidence in those around them both internally and externally. Results orientated, with entrepreneurial flair and commitment to delivering outstanding customer service. Can demonstrate the capability and passion to challenge the existing management team, supporting the business to achieve year on year growth and to maximise every future business opportunity. Substantial experience of delivering complex engineering and test projects in the automotive, motorsport or transport industries.

Responsibilities

• Uphold, safeguard and promote UTAC’s values of integrity, innovation and expertise.
• Establish and maintain communication systems and management structures across the sites to protect the health and safety of our staff, customers, tenants and guests.
• Ensure the sites are secure and operating in accordance with our ISO 27001 and TISAX.
• Ensure environmental compliance and deliver progress towards our ESG targets. Work with our ESG manager to deliver SBTi targets and recording.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for the facilities provided to colleagues, tenants, customers and visitors.
• Manage the provision of security, cleaning and canteen facilities.
• Support the UK Leadership Team in the development and execution of the company strategic plan.
• Participate in the Business Continuity planning and delivery.
• Management, mentoring and coaching the team to prioritise resources effectively and deliver the business objectives, budgeted revenue and profitability.
• Manage human and financial resources to achieve our financial and commercial objectives including monthly forecasting and reporting to the UK Leadership Team.
• Planning and organising both the internal and external resources necessary for executing the construction element of the capital investment programmes.
• Maintain relationships with local authorities, legislative and regulatory bodies ensuring compliance with their requirements.
• Identify and proactively manage all areas of operational risk.
• Identification of suitable, well researched investment opportunities and improvement initiatives to drive improvement in business performance.
• Act in accordance with the behaviours for UTAC staff at all times.

Qualifications

Health and Safety Qualification

Experience

Experience of working in an engineering environment is essential to understand the requirements of all stakeholders. Excellent leadership skills required to manage a large, diverse workforce. Excellent verbal and written communication skills essential. Proven problem solving and analytical skills in a fast paced engineering environment. Strong understanding of finance and measures of performance. Budget and performance management.

Personal Behaviours

• Agent for Change
• Proactive and inquisitive
• Responsive and action orientated
• Excellent attention to detail
• Adheres to health and safety practices

Other

• Flexibility to travel as and when required
• Full UK driving licence
• Willing to undergo a Criminal Disclosure check

Additional Information

For you, as a potential UTAC team member, we believe that the international and diverse nature of our business combined with the passion, energy and friendliness of our people create a great place to work. UTAC is proud to be an equal opportunities employer, valuing inclusion and supporting our people to be themselves and at their very best. By joining us you will gain access to a broad range of learning relevant to your role and personal development, as well as exposure to leading technologies and expertise. Our reward and benefit programmes are designed to support our people with competitive and locally tailored packages combined with support for individual health and wellbeing both inside and outside of work. In the UK this includes; Life Cover, Access to a wide range of discounts and offers via the Perkz reward scheme, Recognition awards linked to our UTAC values of Expertise, Innovation and Integrity, Attractive family friendly policies; maternity, paternity, shared parental leave, flexible working, Access to a variety of employee assistance support services.

Candidates for positions at UTAC must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the country the role is based in. Immigration visa sponsorship is not available for this position.