Head of QHSE

Opportunity Brief: Head of Quality, Health, Safety & Environment

Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Group) are a leading Executive search firm to the UK, North American and European Engineering, Technology, Sustainability & Heavy Manufacturing industries.

Our search directors, search consultants and research teams specialise in all horizontal functions of our clients' organisations with expertise spanning engineering, commercial, procurement, HR, IT, finance, HSQE, sales, projects, operations and c-suite.

We are trusted by over 100 leading organisations when they seek to make a leadership appointment, be that a permanent appointment or an interim solution.We have been retained and appointed by our client on a retained search for a proactive and driven Head of QHSE who will drive health, safety, quality and environmental initiatives.

Below you will find an 'opportunity brief' developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Senior Research Associate and Search Director of Ford & Stanley Executive Search and the Managing Director. This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification.

Challenges expected within the first 12 months include:

You will be required to build strong relationships with stakeholders across the business to enable you to roll out a strong QHSE culture across the organisation. We are expecting there to be some resistance to this change.

With the business's rapid expansion, the Head of QHSE will be required to rebuild and 'mature' processes that are in place in line with the business growth to ensure they are staying compliant and best practice is followed.

The business is aware that the current management systems in place aren't fit for purpose and don't drive efficiencies. You will be tasked with streamlining these alongside looking at NCR's that have been identified and take the right steps that need to be taken in order for them to be rectified.

Key deliverables within the first 12 months include:

You will have created a blueprint for the management system and along with an internal audit strategy.

There will have been a successful rollout of new and updated policies and procedures and significant buy-in from the teams. 

All safety actions and NCR's up-to-date and correct best practice steps will have been in place. 

Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)

§  Candidates ideally to come from Rail. We will also consider candidates from a high-integrity background such as aerospace, defence, Automotive etc.

§  Live within a commutable distance and happy to travel when required. This role requires presence at multiple sites.

§  Proven experience of taking teams and a business on a journey of positive change.

§  Holds an IOSH Certification

§  Charted member of IOSH or working towards

§  NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent

§  Environmental and Quality qualifications preferred however not essential.

§  ISO 45001 - knowledge of implementation and day-to-day management of maintaining the system.

Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)

§  An inquisitive, passionate and engaging individual.

§  Naturally hands-on, no job is too big or too small.

§  An individual capable of building relationships with colleagues who may be resistant to change.

§  Methodical and thorough in all they do.

§  Leadership experience, someone who has the ability to take people on a journey.

§  Clear communicator, can talk technically to non-technical Individuals.

§  They will have the resilience to implement the change needed but the patience to understand it may not happen straight away.

Working Arrangements & Location:

The main location will be Derbyshire, however, there will be occasional  travel required UK Wide. 

Our Client's Interview Process:

1st Stage Interview: Face to face with the Interim H&S Consultant.

Psychometric tests will be sent to successful candidates between the 1st and 2nd stage interviews. Organised by Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Thomas International)

2nd Final Stage interview: Face to face with the Managing Director and Interim H&S Consultant. This will also include a full site tour. 

Ford & Stanley Interview Process:

1st Stage - Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where interested candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the above and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstances.

2nd Stage - The 'shortlist': Candidates are asked to reflect on the candidate discovery discussion, take time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the client business reporting back on their thoughts, questions and providing additional specific information on their suitability (if applicable). Final checks of role, package and logistical alignments made.

Good to know:

This role reports directly into the Managing Director, with a dotted line into the Interim H&S Consultant.

The business has a number of key and long-term projects; some of which are 5/6 years in length. They have seen exceptional growth  over the last 2 years, this strong growth is expected to continue.

The business has a close-knit, family feel, where everyone is on the same mission of "winning".

An SME company that is currently tracking against this year's financial target..

Currently the Health and Safety culture is good, however, there is still work to be done as the business continues to grow and embed this into the business.

Policies and procedures need to be looked at in further detail to ensure they are aligned and 'matured'. The current management systems will also need to be assessed and a blueprint of this to be created.

An internal audit strategy will be required, a plan will need to be in place so the business isn't working in a reactive manner.

ISO 45001 - knowledge of implementation and day-to-day management of maintaining the system.

The Interim H&S Consultant will be contactable and able to advise and support this individual when required.

A 'no job too big, no job too small' attitude. There will be lots of spinning plates and this person will have to lean into different areas when required.

Budget:

Competitive Salary Available 

Supporting benefits

25 days Holiday + 8 Bank holidays

Nest pension scheme

Free Parking

Access Pool Car

Business expenses covered

Executive Search Delivery Team:

Emma Barlow - Senior Research Associate (Opportunity Management, Headhunting, Shortlisting, Networking, Research, Search, Longlisting, Interviews, Data & Market Intel)

Ralitsa Kuzeva - Executive Assistant (Diary Management, Coordination, Candidate Experience).

About Ford & Stanley Executive Search:

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas - recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.

Ford & Stanley TalentWise - Business specialising in blue collar trade & technical services - permanent and temporary.

Ford & Stanley Recruitment - Business specialising in white collar spanning all company functions with specialist verticals within Digital, Rail Engineering, Civils & Infrastructure, General Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Logistics both permanent and contract