Head of HSE

Head of HSE

Department: HS&E

Reports To: Managing Director

Dotted Line To: Operations Director

Location: Based at Flexipol, Haslingden

Travel: Multi site support to all Flexipol sites (UK based0

Role Purpose

As Head of HSE, you will lead the development and execution of a proactive, zero-harm safety culture across three operational sites, supporting over 250 employees. You will drive continuous improvement in health, safety, and environmental performance, ensuring compliance, behavioural change, and operational excellence through robust management systems and leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Provide visible, hands-on leadership across three sites, embedding a culture of safety and wellbeing.
• Develop and implement site-specific EHS deployment plans aligned with Group Sustainability and HSE strategy.
• Champion Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS) programs and lead cultural transformation initiatives.

Systems & Compliance

• Oversee and maintain ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 compliant management systems and effective risk management framework.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and readiness for audits and inspections.
• Recommend and assists in the implementation of engineering controls and process changes to correct safety issues.
• Provide direction for industrial hygiene monitoring, including chemical and physical agent exposure assessments and corrective actions to ensure regulatory compliance and protect employees from potential adverse health effects

Incident Management & Reporting

• Lead investigations into accidents, incidents, and near misses; ensure corrective actions are implemented and sustained.
• Analyse leading and lagging indicators to identify trends and drive improvement.
• Standardise incident reporting, auditing, and training oversight across all sites

Coaching & Collaboration

• Mentor site teams and empower all levels of staff—from shop floor to senior leadership—to take ownership of EHS.
• Collaborate with site managers and cross-functional teams to develop annual safety plans and operational solutions.
• Promote continuous improvement and share best practices across sites.

• Develop and monitor site specific training programs facilitating training in person or via 3rd party suppliers

• Skills & Experience:

• Safety leadership experience ideally within manufacturing environment would be ideal.
• Be a cultural ambassador by role modelling safety leadership, coaching and developing others to foster and achieve an 'Excelling' H&S culture. Empower all levels of the workforce, floor to SLT
• Visible and approachable - ALWAYS
• A NEBOSH qualification, Certificate or Diploma, ideally graduate IOSH
• Delivering an effective framework for safety program management
• Delivering an effective framework of incident investigation, auditing, and training oversight
• Manufacturing or warehousing site experience strongly preferred
• Certificate in Environmental Management (Assoc Member IEMA) preferred
• Good working knowledge of ISO 45001 and ISO 14001
• Diploma in Environmental Management is desirable
• 5 years' experience in similar working environment and/or position
• Proven track record in developing and executing SHE programs and initiatives
• Knowledge of EASE management system is advantageous​

Continuous Improvement

• Analyse data, monitor trends and report on key quality metrics to identify areas for improvement.
• Facilitate and lead the Team through improvement initiatives aligned with the site, delivering measurable improvements in all aspects HS&E.
• Share best practices and ensure standardisation of processes and procedures across sites.

Key Relationships

Internal: Site Managers, Operations Managers, Quality Teams, Production Teams, Technical Director.

External: Customers, Certification Bodies, Regulatory Inspectors, Suppliers.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Referral programme

Work Location: In person