Health & Safety Lead / Manager

Health & Safety Lead / Manager

Location: Norfolk (near Aylsham)

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time Sector: Manufacturing / Engineering

The Opportunity

We’re recruiting for an experienced Health & Safety Lead / Manager to join an established manufacturing business and take ownership of Health, Safety and Environmental standards across a busy operational site.

This is a hands-on role with real influence across the business. You’ll work closely with the Managing Director, Senior Leadership Team and operational teams to ensure compliance, improve standards and, importantly, continue developing a positive safety-first culture across the site.

The position would suit an experienced Health & Safety professional from a manufacturing, FMCG or similarly fast-paced operational environment who is comfortable being visible on the shop floor as well as managing compliance, audits, investigations and improvement initiatives.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll take day-to-day responsibility for HSE across the site, providing practical support and guidance to managers and employees while ensuring the business remains compliant with current legislation, internal standards and relevant accreditations.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Taking ownership of Health, Safety and Environmental compliance across the site.

• Providing practical HSE advice and operational support across the business.

• Completing and reviewing risk assessments and maintaining accurate records.

• Leading investigations into accidents, incidents and near misses, identifying root causes and appropriate corrective actions.

• Developing and managing corrective and preventative action plans.

• Monitoring accident and incident data, identifying trends and recommending improvements.

• Developing and delivering HSE training, including inductions for new starters.

• Coaching managers, team leaders and operational employees to improve HSE knowledge and capability.

• Supporting and developing the site's Health & Safety Committee.

• Coordinating First Aiders and Fire Marshals across a 24/7 operation, ensuring appropriate levels of cover.

• Managing fire safety requirements and coordinating regular emergency response drills.

• Developing and testing emergency response and business continuity plans alongside the Senior Leadership Team.

• Reviewing and maintaining HSE policies, procedures, safe systems of work and associated documentation.

• Undertaking internal, ISO and compliance audits and supporting the implementation of corrective actions.

• Supporting compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 requirements.

• Managing HSE requirements relating to contractors, including appropriate training, certification and safe working practices.

• Liaising with regulatory authorities, contractors and other external stakeholders where required.

• Encouraging employee involvement in Health & Safety initiatives and continuous improvement.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who can combine strong technical Health & Safety knowledge with the ability to engage people at all levels of a manufacturing business.

You’ll ideally have:

• Previous experience in a Health & Safety Lead, Manager or similar position.

• Experience within a manufacturing environment.

• A NEBOSH General Certificate.

• Good working knowledge of current UK Health & Safety legislation and best practice.

• Experience conducting risk assessments.

• Experience investigating accidents, incidents and near misses.

• Experience using root cause analysis and problem-solving techniques.

• Knowledge of COSHH, ideally supported by relevant training or certification.

• Experience of ISO management systems and compliance auditing.

• IOSH membership would be advantageous.

• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office, Excel and PowerPoint.

The Person

This isn't a role that's purely about policies and paperwork. You’ll need to be comfortable working closely with operational teams, challenging where necessary and helping people understand why good Health & Safety practice matters.

You’ll be confident, organised and approachable, with strong communication skills and the ability to coach and influence people at all levels.

You should also be comfortable analysing H&S data, managing competing priorities and working to deadlines within a fast-moving manufacturing environment.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of Health & Safety within an established manufacturing operation, working directly with senior leadership while remaining closely involved with day-to-day operations.The business is committed to improving its HSE standards and developing a strong safety culture, giving the successful person the opportunity to make a visible impact and develop further within the organisation.

Interested?

Apply today or contact Cooper Lomaz Recruitment for a confidential discussion about the position