At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Health, Safety and Environmental strategy in a fast-growing manufacturing environment.
- Company: Rapidly expanding manufacturer in Suffolk with a strong reputation for quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Join a leadership team with opportunities for career progression and influence.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a chance to build systems from the ground up.
- Why this job: Shape safety culture and make a lasting impact on a growing business.
- Qualifications: NEBOSH General Certificate and experience in regulated manufacturing environments required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We're exclusively partnering with a rapidly expanding manufacturer in Suffolk that is entering an exciting phase of growth and operational scale. This is a business that has built a strong reputation for quality, operational excellence and innovation, and with significant investment underway, they are now strengthening their leadership team to support the next stage of expansion. At the heart of that journey is Health, Safety and Environmental leadership. They are looking for an HSE Manager who can shape safety culture, build robust systems and support sustainable growth across a busy manufacturing environment. This isn’t a purely advisory role - it’s an opportunity to lead from the front, influence the entire organisation and build frameworks that will scale as the business continues to grow. You’ll join the Site Leadership Team, working closely with Operations and Quality leaders to ensure that safety, compliance and environmental responsibility remain central as production, people and processes evolve. For the right individual, this is a chance to build something meaningful and leave a lasting impact on a growing manufacturing business.
The Role
This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for leading Environmental, Health & Safety strategy at the company’s primary manufacturing site while developing systems that can support future site expansion. You will take ownership of compliance, risk management, cultural engagement and environmental performance, ensuring that HSE is embedded into the daily rhythm of the operation.
Key Responsibilities
- Site HSE Leadership
- Act as the competent person for Health & Safety under UK legislation
- Ensure compliance with all relevant HSE regulations and statutory requirements
- Lead risk assessments, COSHH assessments, PUWER compliance and safe systems of work
- Drive incident investigations and root cause analysis, ensuring meaningful corrective actions
- Manage accident reporting, preventative measures and safety improvements
- Coordinate external inspections and regulatory audits
- Oversee environmental compliance including waste management and emissions control
- Building a Scalable HSE Management System
- Develop and implement a structured HSE management framework aligned to ISO principles
- Establish a clear operational cadence for safety management across the site
- Build dashboards and data-led reporting for leadership visibility
- Create standardised documentation, templates and risk frameworks
- Implement audit programmes to support long-term compliance and scalability
- Safety Culture & Engagement
- Champion a proactive, positive safety culture across the business
- Lead toolbox talks, safety briefings and workforce engagement activities
- Support managers in taking ownership of safety within their departments
- Develop training plans and competency frameworks to strengthen capability
- Operational Integration
- Work closely with Operations and Quality teams to embed HSE into production activities
- Support new equipment installations, process changes and layout improvements
- Participate in validation, change control and continuous improvement initiatives
- Ensure the site continues to grow safely and sustainably
- Environmental & Sustainability Focus
- Drive initiatives to reduce waste, improve recycling and lower environmental impact
- Monitor energy usage and environmental performance
- Support sustainability targets and regulatory environmental requirements
What We’re Looking For
This role would suit an experienced HSE professional who thrives in fast-paced manufacturing environments and enjoys building structure while remaining close to operations.
- NEBOSH General Certificate (minimum)
- Strong knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation
- Experience within regulated or complex manufacturing environments (such as medical, food, automotive, chemical or similar)
- Proven experience leading incident investigations and root cause analysis
- Experience building or improving structured HSE management systems
- Strong leadership and communication skills across shop floor to senior leadership
- Experience with ISO 14001 and/or ISO 45001 frameworks
- Exposure to multi-site operations or international businesses
- Experience within high-growth or scaling manufacturing organisations
Why This Role Stands Out
This is more than a typical HSE position. You’ll be joining a business that is scaling quickly, investing heavily in its operations and building leadership capability to support that growth.
- A seat at the leadership table within a growing manufacturing site
- The opportunity to build systems and culture from the ground up
- Genuine influence over how safety and environmental standards evolve as the company grows
- Strong career progression as the organisation continues to expand
If you’re an HSE professional who enjoys building structure, influencing culture and being close to the action on the manufacturing floor, this is an opportunity to play a key role in the next chapter of an ambitious business.
HSE Manager in London employer: Zest Recruitment
Join a rapidly expanding manufacturer in Suffolk that prioritises quality, operational excellence, and innovation. As an HSE Manager, you will have the unique opportunity to shape safety culture and build robust systems in a hands-on leadership role, while enjoying a supportive work environment that fosters employee growth and offers significant career progression as the company scales. With a commitment to sustainability and a proactive safety culture, this is a chance to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic manufacturing setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HSE Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential employers on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or be able to refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their HSE practices and think about how you can contribute to their growth. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you're the perfect fit for the HSE Manager role. Highlight your leadership skills and experience in building safety cultures, and don’t forget to showcase your passion for environmental sustainability.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace HSE Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the HSE Manager role. Highlight your knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation and any relevant experience in manufacturing environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about health, safety, and environmental leadership. Share examples of how you've influenced safety culture and built robust systems in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading from the front, emphasise your leadership experience. Talk about how you've engaged teams in safety initiatives and driven cultural change in past positions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zest Recruitment
✨Know Your HSE Legislation
Brush up on UK Health & Safety legislation and relevant regulations before your interview. Being able to discuss specific laws and how they apply to the manufacturing environment will show that you’re not just knowledgeable but also ready to lead compliance efforts.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Prepare examples of your past leadership roles, especially in HSE contexts. Highlight how you've influenced safety culture and engaged teams in previous positions. This will help the interviewers see you as a proactive leader who can drive change.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be ready to discuss specific incidents where you led investigations or implemented corrective actions. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it clear how your actions led to positive outcomes.
✨Align with Their Vision
Research the company’s current initiatives and future goals regarding health, safety, and environmental practices. Be prepared to discuss how your vision for HSE aligns with theirs, demonstrating that you’re not just a fit for the role but also for their organisational culture.
