Director - QHSEE - UK & Ireland

GEA Systems North America; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

GEA in the UK and Ireland seeks a seasoned QHSEE leader to manage Quality, Health, Safety, Environmental, and Energy systems, aligned with ISO 9001, 45001, 14001, and 50001.

You will head the QHSEE team across production, warehousing, field service, and installation, driving continuous improvement, ensuring legal compliance, and reporting to UK Management.

Regular travel within the UK and Ireland is required, with a leadership style suited to high‑performance environments.

Qualifications

• NEBOSH General Certificate in Health and Safety required.
• Experience with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management systems.
• Minimum 5 years in national HSE guidelines and regulations.
• Strong auditing and incident investigation capabilities.
• Proven leadership in cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the QHSEE team to drive excellence across production, warehousing, service and installation.
• Maintain ISO 9001/45001/14001/50001 certifications and ensure legal compliance.
• Plan and execute internal and external audits; report monthly to UK Management.
• Develop risk registers and drive continuous improvement in HSE performance.
• Deliver monthly QHSEE reports, manage training and resources.

Skills

Quality & HSE management

Auditing & ISO 14001/45001

Incident investigation

Project & resource management

Leadership in production environments

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Travel willingness

Education

NEBOSH General Certificate in Health and Safety

NEBOSH Certificate in Environmental Management

Diploma in HSE Management

ISO Management Systems Auditor training

Job description

GEA is one of the largest suppliers for the food and beverage processing industry and a wide range of other process industries. Approximately 18,000 employees in more than 50 countries contribute significantly to GEA's success.

Join us and be part of something impactful! At GEA, we place a strong emphasis on quality, health, safety, and environmental responsibility. We offer engaging and rewarding work, a supportive and international team environment, and excellent opportunities for personal and professional growth within a global organisation.

Responsibilities / Tasks

Reporting to the Cluster Vice President, you will lead the ongoing development and management of GEA's QHSEE (Quality, Health, Safety, Environmental, and Energy) systems, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001, 45001, 14001, and 50001 certifications. You will head the QHSEE team to drive excellence across diverse business areas, including production, warehousing, field service, and equipment installation within industries such as Pharmaceuticals, Farming, Heating & Cooling, and Food & Beverage.

Implement aligned Quality and HSE Management Systems to ensure legal compliance and adherence to GEA Group HSE standards.

Oversee the effective application of HSE systems and foster a strong safety culture across all UK and Ireland operations, including mechanical/chemical production, sales, service, and projects.

Monitor system performance through audits and inspections, reporting monthly to UK Management with improvement plans.

Maintain clear HSE communication and consultation with all employees.

Collect and report defined GEA Global KPI data as required.

Plan and execute internal/external legal compliance audits and inspections to support continual improvement.

Maintain and develop ISO 45001, 14001, 9001, and 50001 certifications.

Provide monthly QHSEE reports highlighting trends, achievements, risks, and improvement opportunities.

Manage mandatory HSE training programs for all GEA staff in the UK and Ireland.

Ensure efficient use of country HSE resources in line with the organisational structure.

Develop, implement, and maintain risk management registers and related procedures.

Manage the Serious Event process, including timely notification and response.

Submit monthly health, safety, environmental, and sustainability data to the GEA HSE-E reporting system.

Lead incident investigations to identify root causes, ensure corrective actions are implemented, and track closures.

Drive implementation of GEA HSE standards and conduct regular audits.

Oversee proactive HSE reporting procedures and processes.

Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives in health, safety, and environment.

Your Profile / Qualifications

Strong expertise in Quality and HSE (Health, Safety, and Environmental) management

NEBOSH General Certificate in Health and Safety (required)

NEBOSH Certificate in Environmental Management (desirable)

Diploma in HSE Management (desirable)

Solid understanding and hands-on experience with relevant Health, Safety, and Environmental legislation

Certified auditor for ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards

Strong experience with quality and HSE regulations, including international standards and corporate system implementation

Minimum 5 years' expertise in national norms and regulations

Background in functional organisations with solid project and resource management skills

Certified ISO Management Systems representative with auditing knowledge

Skilled in incident investigation and HSE-related training delivery

Proven ability to lead HSE cultural change and transformation

Good knowledge of IT systems and tools

Detail-oriented with a strong focus on quality and standards

Broad international business understanding

Credible, committed, and fair professional approach

Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities

Willing and able to travel regularly within the UK and Ireland

Conceptually strong with a leadership style suited to high-performance production environments

Experienced and effective leader with a sensitive and supportive management style

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