At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Health & Safety initiatives and oversee facilities management across UK sites.
- Company: Join a leading organisation in food and water testing with a commitment to safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Opportunity to travel across multiple UK sites and enhance your career.
- Why this job: Shape safety standards and lead a passionate team in a vital industry.
- Qualifications: NEBOSH or equivalent H&S qualification and proven leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Our client is seeking an experienced Head of Health, Safety & Facilities to lead their Health & Safety function and oversee facilities management across their UK Food & Water Testing sites. As the successful candidate, you will be key to ensuring legal compliance, maintaining high safety standards, and overseeing well-managed facilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a company-wide Health & Safety strategy aligned with UK legislation and industry standards.
- Lead, mentor and develop the Health, Safety & Facilities team.
- Maintain and enhance H&S policies, procedures, risk assessments, audits and inspections.
- Investigate incidents, conduct root cause analysis and drive corrective actions.
- Promote proactive hazard identification and effective SHEQ communication across all locations.
- Advise operational teams (laboratories, logistics, office) on H&S, quality and environmental matters.
- Oversee facilities management, including site maintenance, cleaning and building services contracts.
- Ensure compliance with building regulations, fire safety and environmental requirements.
- Monitor permit-to-work systems and support emergency response planning.
- Manage budgets and produce KPI and compliance reports for senior stakeholders.
About You
- NEBOSH or equivalent H&S qualification; IOSH membership advantageous.
- Proven leadership experience in Health, Safety and Facilities management.
- Strong knowledge of UK H&S legislation, COSHH and ISO standards.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to travel across multiple UK sites.
- Experience within laboratory, food testing or similar regulated environments.
Head of Health and Safety employer: VRS
Contact Detail:
VRS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Health and Safety
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the health and safety field. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s health and safety policies. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their approach to safety and compliance. Tailor your answers to reflect their values!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR technique for answering competency questions. Structure your responses around Situation, Task, Action, and Result to clearly demonstrate your experience and problem-solving skills in health and safety scenarios.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might be perfect for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Health and Safety
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Health and Safety role. Highlight your relevant experience in health, safety, and facilities management, and don’t forget to mention any specific qualifications like NEBOSH or IOSH membership.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention your leadership experience and how you’ve successfully implemented health and safety strategies in the past.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate how you’ve improved safety standards or compliance in previous roles. This will help us see the impact you can make!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at VRS
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on UK Health & Safety legislation, COSHH, and ISO standards. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the rules but can also apply them effectively in a real-world setting.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past, especially in Health, Safety, and Facilities management. Think about specific situations where you mentored others or drove change, as this will highlight your leadership capabilities.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific incidents or challenges related to health and safety. Practise articulating your thought process for investigating incidents and implementing corrective actions, as this will demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since excellent communication is key for this role, practise explaining complex H&S concepts in simple terms. Be prepared to discuss how you would promote proactive hazard identification and SHEQ communication across various teams.