At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HSE initiatives and drive a proactive safety culture in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a leading UK building materials manufacturer focused on growth and safety excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £50,000 plus benefits and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values your contributions and promotes a strong safety culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety performance and shape the future of the organisation.
- Qualifications: NEBOSH General Certificate and proven HSE leadership experience in manufacturing.
Company Overview
W Talent Engineering & Manufacturing are supporting a leading UK building materials manufacturer in the appointment of a highly engaging HSE Lead for their flagship manufacturing operation in Leeds. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a business that is experiencing significant growth across the UK, backed by substantial investment in its facilities, people, and future capability. As the organisation continues to expand, they are looking for an ambitious Environmental, Health & Safety professional who wants to play a key role in shaping the future of safety performance across the site. The successful candidate will join a business that genuinely values HSE and recognises it as a critical driver of operational excellence. You'll be given the autonomy, support, and investment needed to deliver meaningful improvements, whilst benefiting from the guidance and expertise of an established Group HSE function. If you're looking for a role where you can influence change, develop a strong safety culture, and grow your career within a progressive manufacturing organisation, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.
The Role
Reporting into the Plant Manager, the HSE Lead will take ownership of all environmental, health, and safety activities across the Leeds manufacturing facility. Working closely with operational leaders and the wider Group EHS team, you will be responsible for driving compliance, improving engagement, and embedding a proactive safety-first culture throughout the site. This role offers a blend of strategic leadership and operational involvement, making it ideal for someone who enjoys being visible on the shop floor while also contributing to longer-term business objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement site HSE strategies aligned with business objectives and group standards.
- Lead initiatives that strengthen employee engagement and promote a positive safety culture.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant UK health, safety, and environmental legislation.
- Drive continuous improvement across ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems.
- Lead risk assessments, hazard identification activities, and implementation of effective control measures.
- Investigate incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions, ensuring robust corrective actions are implemented.
- Deliver EHS training, coaching, and awareness programmes across the workforce.
- Conduct audits, inspections, and compliance reviews to identify improvement opportunities.
- Monitor and report HSE performance metrics to site and group leadership teams.
- Manage relationships with external regulators, auditors, and other key stakeholders.
- Support environmental and sustainability initiatives across the operation.
About You
The ideal candidate will be a passionate HSE professional with a strong manufacturing background and the ability to influence stakeholders at every level of the business.
- NEBOSH General Certificate is a minimal requirement
- Proven HSE leadership experience within manufacturing, building materials, heavy industry, or other high-hazard environments.
- Strong working knowledge of UK health, safety, and environmental legislation.
- Experience managing ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 systems.
- A demonstrable track record of driving behavioural and cultural change programmes.
- Strong auditing, investigation, and risk management experience.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- A proactive, hands-on approach with the ability to balance operational priorities.
What's on Offer?
- Salary up to £50,000 plus benefits
- Join a business that puts HSE at the centre of everything
- Make a difference to a growing business
This role is for HSE professionals looking to take ownership, drive change, and build a safer, stronger manufacturing environment; this represents an outstanding career opportunity.
HSE Lead in Leeds employer: W Talent
Join a leading UK building materials manufacturer in Leeds as an HSE Lead, where your expertise will be valued and supported by substantial investment in facilities and people. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence safety culture and drive compliance within a progressive environment that prioritises employee engagement and operational excellence. With a focus on personal growth and meaningful contributions, you'll thrive in a workplace that champions health, safety, and environmental initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HSE Lead in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at the company through LinkedIn or industry events. A friendly chat can give us insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company's HSE initiatives. Show us you’re genuinely interested in their safety culture and how you can contribute to it. Tailor your examples to highlight your relevant experience!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your background aligns with their needs. We want to hear about your achievements in driving safety improvements and engaging teams in a proactive culture.
✨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 take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace HSE Lead in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the HSE Lead role. Highlight your relevant experience in health, safety, and environmental management, especially in manufacturing. We want to see how your background aligns with the key responsibilities listed in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your passion for HSE and how you can influence change within our organisation. Be sure to mention specific examples of how you've driven safety culture in previous roles.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements rather than just duties. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact, like improvements in safety performance or successful training initiatives. We love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at W Talent
✨Know Your HSE Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK health, safety, and environmental legislation. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this in previous roles, especially in manufacturing or high-hazard environments. This will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can also implement it effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led HSE initiatives in the past. Think about times when you've driven cultural change or improved safety performance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your impact.
✨Engagement is Key
Since the role involves promoting a positive safety culture, be ready to discuss strategies you've used to engage employees in HSE practices. Share specific examples of training or awareness programmes you've delivered and how they improved engagement on the shop floor.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to risk assessments or incident investigations. Think through your approach to these scenarios beforehand, focusing on how you'd ensure compliance and implement effective control measures. This will demonstrate your proactive mindset and problem-solving skills.
