Head Of Health & Safety

Brellis Recruitment; Coventry; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Head of Health & Safety based in Coventry or Mansfield with extensive knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation. This role involves leading health and safety initiatives across multiple sites, engaging with teams to promote safety culture, and ensuring compliance with legislation. Suitable candidates will have a NEBOSH Diploma, proven senior experience in health and safety management, and are encouraged to bring a pragmatic approach to workplace safety.

Benefits

Car allowance (£7,000)

Bonus

Pension

Private medical

Life assurance

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Health & Safety Manager or similar senior position.
• Strong working knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation.
• Comfortable in operational, fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead Health & Safety agenda across multiple UK sites and field operations.
• Act as senior H&S authority, guiding managers and supervisors.
• Ensure compliance with UK Health & Safety legislation.

Skills

Communication skills

Influence and trust-building

Operational risk management

Health & Safety legislation knowledge

Collaborative working

Education

NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Head of Health & Safety

(with Environmental oversight - Quality experience advantageous but not essential)

Location: Coventry or Mansfield with some field-based travel

Salary: £60,000‑£65,000 + car allowance (£7,000), bonus, pension, private medical, life assurance, 25 days holiday + bank holidays

The role

This is a senior, hands‑on Health & Safety leadership role within a diverse operational business spanning warehousing, logistics, field‑based engineers, recycling operations and contractor‑led installation work. The primary focus of the role is Health & Safety. Environmental responsibility sits alongside this. Quality experience is beneficial and welcomed, but it is not essential and will not be a barrier for the right Health & Safety professional. You'll be highly visible across the operation, working directly with managers, supervisors and frontline teams to embed safe behaviours, improve standards and build trust. This is not a compliance‑only or enforcement‑led role. The business is looking for someone who can communicate clearly, influence positively and bring people with them. Sector background is open. What matters most is credibility, presence and the ability to operate comfortably in operational, blue‑collar environments.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and own the Health & Safety agenda across multiple UK sites and field operations
• Act as the senior H&S authority, providing practical guidance to managers and supervisors
• Engage directly with operational teams to drive behavioural and cultural improvement
• Ensure compliance with UK Health & Safety legislation and internal standards
• Lead accident and incident investigations, ensuring meaningful corrective actions
• Oversee contractor and third‑party safety management
• Support environmental compliance and permit requirements where applicable
• Develop and deliver practical H&S training and awareness initiatives
• Produce clear, meaningful H&S reporting and KPIs for senior leadership
• Build strong working relationships across operations, engineering and project teams
• Lead, coach and support H&S team members where applicable
• Where relevant, contribute to Quality systems or audits, though this is not a core requirement of the role

What we're looking for

• Proven experience in a Health & Safety Manager / Head of Health & Safety role or similar senior position
• Strong working knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation
• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent (essential)
• Comfortable working in operational, fast‑paced environments
• Able to communicate effectively with frontline teams as well as senior management
• Pragmatic, approachable and credible – not enforcement‑led
• Experience managing contractors, machinery, equipment and operational risk
• Environmental experience beneficial
• Quality management exposure (e.g. ISO 9001) advantageous but not essential
• Sector background flexible (logistics, manufacturing, construction, engineering, utilities, etc.)

The person

• Is visible, approachable and respected on the shop floor
• Can challenge unsafe behaviours without alienating people
• Balances technical competence with emotional intelligence
• Is confident making decisions and standing by them
• Understands that culture change comes from relationships, not paperwork