At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HSE initiatives, shape safety culture, and ensure compliance in a dynamic food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Growing food manufacturing business in Oxfordshire with a focus on safety and sustainability.
- Benefits: Autonomy, leadership support, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for continuous improvement and career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in redefining safety standards and influencing positive change.
- Qualifications: Experience in food manufacturing, NEBOSH certification, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) Manager in Food Manufacturing | Oxfordshire | Standalone Role with Real Influence
Some roles ask you to maintain standards. Others give you the platform to redefine them. This is an opportunity to step into a true site leadership role, where you’ll shape not just systems and compliance — but the behaviours, mindset, and culture of an entire manufacturing operation.
We’re exclusively supporting a well-invested and growing food manufacturing business in Oxfordshire to appoint a Health, Safety & Environmental Manager. This is a standalone position, reporting directly into the Site Director, where you’ll partner closely with the Senior Leadership Team to drive a progressive and engaging HSE agenda.
If you’re someone who believes safety is built through people, not paperwork — this could be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
The Opportunity
This is a role with visibility, autonomy, and impact. You’ll take ownership of all things HSE on site — from leading management systems and ensuring compliance, to coaching teams and embedding a behavioural safety culture that genuinely sticks. You’ll be the voice of HSE at leadership level, while remaining present and influential on the factory floor — building trust, challenging where needed, and inspiring change.
Key Responsibilities
- Engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, from operators to senior leadership
- Lead safety conversations, observations, and coaching to embed best practice
- Act as a trusted partner to operational teams, ensuring safe systems of work are practical and effective
- Develop, implement and maintain HSE management systems aligned to ISO 45001 and ISO 14001
- Own the site risk assessment process, ensuring quality, consistency, and completion of actions
- Manage environmental aspects and impacts, identifying opportunities for improvement
- Benchmark externally to bring fresh thinking and continuous improvement to site
- Lead the site’s incident management process — from initial response through to root cause analysis
- Ensure corrective and preventative actions are meaningful and embedded
- Maintain full compliance with all relevant HSE legislation and standards
- Act as the primary contact for regulatory bodies and external stakeholders
- Lead internal and external audits, ensuring site readiness at all times
- Ensure non-conformances are addressed thoroughly and sustainably
Supporting Site Development
- Provide HSE input into site projects and continuous improvement initiatives
- Ensure safety and environmental considerations are embedded in operational decisions
About You
You’ll be a confident, credible HSE professional who thrives in a standalone role — someone who can balance technical expertise with strong influencing skills. We’re looking for:
- Experience within food, beverage, or FMCG manufacturing
- Strong working knowledge of ISO 45001 and ISO 14001
- NEBOSH General Certificate (essential)
- NEBOSH Diploma (or working towards / willing to achieve)
- Environmental qualification such as IEMA (or willingness to obtain)
And equally important:
- A hands-on, visible approach — comfortable on the factory floor
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage at all levels
- The confidence to challenge, coach, and drive behavioural change
- Highly organised, with a strong attention to detail
- A mindset focused on improvement, not just compliance
Why This Role?
This is more than a compliance role — it’s a chance to shape the future of HSE on site. You’ll have the autonomy to lead, the support of an engaged leadership team, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact in a business that values safety, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
If you’re ready to take ownership, influence culture, and build something meaningful — we’d love to hear from you.
Environment, Health and Safety Manager in Coventry employer: Zest Food Jobs
Join a forward-thinking food manufacturing business in Oxfordshire, where you will have the autonomy to redefine health, safety, and environmental standards. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and a culture that values safety and sustainability, this role offers the unique opportunity to influence change at all levels of the organisation. Enjoy a supportive leadership team and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a standalone position that prioritises people over paperwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Environment, Health and Safety Manager in Coventry
✨Dive into Environmental Networks
Get involved with sustainability-focused organisations and attend their events. Look for local meetups or conferences in environmental management where you can connect with professionals in the field. This can lead to insider info on job openings at companies like Zest Food Jobs that might not be advertised widely.
✨Show Your Passion with Projects
Consider undertaking personal or community projects that highlight your dedication to sustainability. Whether it's a local clean-up or a carbon footprint assessment, document your findings and results. This not only boosts your portfolio but also shows potential employers like Zest Food Jobs that you're proactive and serious about the field.
✨Seek Out Green Job Boards
Don’t just rely on general job boards. Explore specific platforms that focus on sustainability and environmental management roles. Websites like EnvironmentJobs and Sustainable Business can be goldmines for full-time positions at companies like Zest Food Jobs. Keep an eye out for their aggregation of listings!
✨Let Your Online Presence Shine
Make sure your social media and professional profiles reflect your passion for sustainability. Share articles, engage in discussions, and connect with leaders in the field. Your active presence can make a lasting impression on hiring managers at companies like Zest Food Jobs when they search for candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Environment, Health and Safety Manager in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sustainability:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through. Share any relevant experiences, like projects, volunteer work, or events you've participated in that align with Zest Food Jobs's values. This position isn't just about meeting qualifications; it's about genuinely caring for the environment and showing us why you're the right fit for Environment, Health and Safety Manager.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications and Experience:Make sure to showcase any specific qualifications, such as degrees in environmental science or certifications in sustainability practices in your CV. We want to see how your academic background and practical experiences align with the job you're applying for, so don’t hold back on anything that demonstrates your expertise in environmental management.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:As we're looking for someone to jump into a full-time role, be specific about previous roles or projects that demonstrate your capabilities in sustainability. Use bullet points to make accomplishments clear, and don’t forget to quantify your achievements wherever possible – it’s all about showing us the impact of your work!
Research Zest Food Jobs and Reflect It In Your Application:We love candidates who take the time to understand what we're about. Mention specific initiatives or projects that Zest Food Jobs is known for in your cover letter. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely excited about the chance to contribute to our mission in the role of Environment, Health and Safety Manager.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zest Food Jobs
✨Brush Up on Environmental Legislation
Given that we're diving into sustainability and environmental management, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of current environmental laws and regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to real-world scenarios, as you might face some technical questions about compliance and best practices during your chat with Zest Food Jobs.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Sustainability Projects
When you're discussing your background, highlight specific sustainability initiatives you've been involved in. Whether it’s a project at university or work experience, sharing measurable outcomes and your role will demonstrate your hands-on skills, which is super important for this full-time role at Zest Food Jobs.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Software
Make sure you're familiar with any relevant tools or software commonly used in environmental management, like GIS for mapping or data analysis tools. Bring this up in your interview as it shows you’re not only passionate but also prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
✨Connect Your Values with the Company's Mission
Full-time roles are all about team fit, so it’s important to align your personal values with those of Zest Food Jobs. Be ready to discuss why you're passionate about sustainability and how you can contribute to their mission, as this will really resonate with the interviewers and show that you’re genuinely invested in their goals.
