Group Health and Safety Manager

Zest Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer in the UK is seeking a Group Head of Health & Safety to elevate safety standards across its manufacturing network. This role involves championing safety as a core business value, coaching site managers, and maintaining compliance across all sites. The ideal candidate will possess a NEBOSH Diploma, IOSH membership, and a proven track record in food manufacturing safety. This is a unique opportunity to shape culture and leave a lasting impact in an ambitious company.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading Health & Safety in food manufacturing.
• Credibility and ability to earn trust across various levels.
• Capable of setting bold goals for team development.

Responsibilities

• Champion Health & Safety as a core business value.
• Coaching Site H&S Managers for consistent performance.
• Guiding interactions with regulatory bodies.
• Maintaining KPI performance across multiple sites.
• Developing organizational H&S capability.

Skills

Experience in food manufacturing safety

Ability to influence senior stakeholders

Team leadership

Change management

Education

NEBOSH Diploma

IOSH membership

Job description

Imagine stepping into a business at a moment when everything is moving forward—new investments, expanding capability, ambitious plans and a senior team genuinely committed to doing things the right way. A business proud of its heritage in food manufacturing, but even more excited about its future.

Now imagine that you're the person they're looking for to help shape that future—by elevating safety to something more than a requirement.

I'm partnering with a highly respected, rapidly growing food manufacturer who are investing heavily in their people, sites and future capability. As part of this growth, they're looking to appoint a Group Head of Health & Safety to lead the H&S agenda across their UK-wide manufacturing network.

Where you'll make a difference

Strategy & Culture

• Positioning Health & Safety as a core business value—brought to life at every level.
• Championing behavioural safety and building a culture where people genuinely think and act safely.

Operational Leadership

• Supporting and coaching Site H&S Managers to deliver strong, consistent performance.
• Ensuring robust risk management frameworks are in place across all sites.
• Guiding interactions with regulatory bodies, insurers and auditors.

Governance & Performance

• Maintaining KPI performance across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Ensuring statutory compliance and managing group-wide safety plans and documentation.

People & Capability

• Developing organisational H&S capability, from site teams to future leaders.
• Setting bold goals that inspire, motivate and shape team development.

Continuous Improvement

• Regularly reviewing Group H&S and Emergency Preparedness frameworks.
• Leading and auditing improvement projects that genuinely enhance safety.

  What you'll bring

  • You are someone who has lived and breathed safety in food manufacturing.
  • You know what great looks like—and what it takes to create it.
  • You have the NEBOSH Diploma, the IOSH membership and the credibility that earns trust.
  • Beyond the qualifications, you have the ability to bring people with you, even when change is difficult. You’ve led teams, influenced senior stakeholders and turned safety from a procedure into a shared belief.

  Why this role matters

  This is more than policy writing or compliance management. It's about driving culture, shaping behaviours, elevating standards and helping a high-performing business become even better.

  You will be the go-to expert for the Group Board, Factory GMs and H&S Leads—setting the tone, the pace and the direction for safety across all sites. Your work will influence both day-to-day safety performance and long-term strategic planning.

  If you want a role where you can genuinely shape culture, elevate standards and leave a legacy—this is a brilliant time to join.

  If you'd like to know more details about the business, the scope of the role and long-term objectives of the business—please do get in touch.

  Contact: [e-mail]
  Phone: [phone]