Health and Safety Business Partner

Job Title: Health & Safety Business Partner

Department: Health & Safety

Reports to: Health & Safety Manager

Grade: C

Working Pattern: Field-based, required to work on site at stores and the Head Office locations a minimum of 3 days per week (subject to the needs of the business), with the remaining days working from home.

Our Story

From its inception in 1994, Chrissie Rucker’s vision was to build a company that specialised in stylish, white, designer-quality items for the home that were not only exceptional quality, but also outstanding value for money. In addition to this devotion to simplicity, it was imperative the customer was put at the heart of everything and provided with a second-to-none shopping experience - and so The White Company was born.

Today, the company that began as a 12-page mail-order brochure has become one of the UK’s fast-growing multi-channel retailers and a leading lifestyle brand with over 70 stores across the UK and a highly successful online business.

Our Role

Reporting to the Company Health & Safety Manager, you will be responsible for supporting the full business with all aspects of Health and Safety. You will own the H&S audit process and ensure that all stores and offices receive an annual audit with follow up actions and training as required. You will also be responsible for investigating all Accidents and Incidents that occur, monitoring trends and putting together and proactively delivering recommendations for improvement. You will be required to work with multiple stakeholders in the business at all levels and form strong and positive partnerships with them. This is a field-based role that requires you to travel across all of our stores in the UK and Ireland.

What you’ll be doing

Business Partnering

· Accountable for building and sustaining strong, credible relationships with business partners across the Company.

· Promote a ‘people partnership’ philosophy and operating model to ensure the H&S team are seen as trusted advisors across all levels of the business.

· Work with business partners to understand department/channel strategies and priorities and create plans that are aligned to deliver them.

· Create and manage regular meetings with H&S Champions across the business as a key channel of engagement, communication, and training.

· Facilitate and deliver regular training at different locations to a variety of different audiences, ensuring the culture of H&S is alive and portrayed in a positive approach.

Stakeholder Management

· Line manage the H&S Administrator, guiding them in their day to day role, holding regular 121s and performance conversations, and proactively supporting their development.

· Deputise for the H&S Manager in their absence, able to confidently communicate matters relating to proactive and reactive H&S activity, H&S legislation and best practice to senior stakeholders around the business.

· Support the H&S Manager in ensuring that the business buys into positive H&S updates and changes by working in an efficient and positive manner with stakeholders across the business, which includes being able to operate at all levels across the business.

· Develop close working relationships with our People Partnership and Comms & Engagement teams to drive Health & Safety engagement and consistency across the business.

· Work with our legal team (insurance brokers/lawyers) as needed on insurance claims.

· Work with the Sustainability Team to deliver cross-functional strategies.

H&S Management

· Ensure all Company H&S audits and associated action plans and follow ups are carried out in a timely manner, and work with a variety of stakeholders to support where required.

· Assist in developing existing and future safety management procedures, such as building a new accident and incident reporting system, and using data to escalate as needed to understand trends and move the business strategy forward.

· Follow up on any Accidents and Incidents that require investigation and provide learnings and train out any changes across the business as required.

· Competently completing RIDDOR reports and liaise with confidence to external authorities such as fire officers, local EHOs and the HSE.

What skills & experience you’ll need

Must have:

· Demonstrated experience of providing H&S advice and support and implementing H&S legislation within a multi-site organisation (ideally Retail) and translating these into company-wide H&S policies and procedures.

· Experience in and a proven track record of delivering proactive H&S management strategies, processes training and coaching.

· Experience in line management and developing and supporting a team to deliver business objectives and exceptional results.

· Knowledge and experience of working with enforcement officers and local authorities/agencies.

· Ability to develop and maintain excellent working relationships with stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally, in order for teams to work effectively together.

· Ability to influence and impart knowledge to others though a coaching and partnership approach.

· Present yourself at all times as an ambassador for the business, championing H&S across the estate.

· Proactive self-starter with the ability to anticipate needs before they arise and to manage issues quickly, effectively and with confidence.

· Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and strong written and verbal communication skills.

· Competent user of Microsoft Office.

· Minimum of NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent.

· IOSH Membership.

· Full driving licence and able to travel across the UK and Ireland as required.

Preferable:

· Working towards NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety or equivalent.

Our Equality Diversity and Inclusion statement of commitment

At The White Company we are committed to creating an inclusive culture that welcomes and celebrates a diversity of backgrounds and identities. We are working together to ensure our environment is one where people can bring their authentic selves to work, where their contribution is valued, ability enhanced, and perspective appreciated. Where difference is respected, encouraged, and celebrated. Where you can feel you belong. We are committed to an active Equality Diversity and Inclusion Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process. We'd love you to join us on our journey

Our Sustainability statement of commitment

We are committed to building a sustainable legacy that will enable a brighter future for people and our planet.’ We believe this should be reflected in everything we do.

PRIDE – In everything we do

P – Passionate – We look for team members who are passionate about their expertise or role, who bring the best of themselves to work and have fun with it. We need people who are passionate about offering impeccable service to customers and colleagues

R – Resourceful – We love hearing from people who use their initiative to solve problems or make processes more efficient. We value people who use their industry knowledge to support the success of the team, and those who care about sustainability.

I – Imagination -The best people at The White Company bring creative ideas and offer solutions to problems. We encourage everyone, no matter how junior, to share their ideas and have a voice

D – Dedication – We look for people who want to go above and beyond for their team and the business. We love seeing evidence of drive from people who are dedicated to being the best in their field of expertise.

E – Everyone –We all want The White Company to do well and we do that through a One Team, inclusive approach. We need team members who are supportive, respectful –people who share ideas and support team wellbeing.

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