Head of HSE and FM

Principal People Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing transport operator is seeking a Head of HSE & Facilities Management to lead health, safety, environment, and facilities compliance across a multi-depot operation. Located in Manchester, this senior role offers a salary of up to £70,000 plus bonus and benefits. Candidates must have experience in transport, logistics, or risk-led environments, with a focus on driving HSE initiatives and engaging effectively with various stakeholders. This is an impactful position with autonomy and visibility in a high-growth business.

Benefits

Up to 10% annual bonus

5% employer pension contribution

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Salary sacrifice schemes

Cycle-to-work

EAP support

Qualifications

• Ambitious, energetic, and delivery-focused.
• Pragmatic and credible, comfortable operating at depot level.
• Ability to work with autonomy while maintaining strong governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead HSE & FM strategy across multi-site operation.
• Coordinate HSE strategy and develop ISO standards.
• Conduct audits and compliance assurance.

Skills

Health and Safety compliance

Stakeholder engagement

ISO standards development

Environmental management

Facilities Management

Job description

We are partnering with a rapidly growing, franchised transport operator to appoint a Head of HSE & Facilities Management for a senior, business-critical role. This position will lead Health, Safety, Environment and Facilities compliance across a multi-depot operation during a period of sustained growth and contract expansion.

Head of HSE & Facilities Management

Location : Manchester (Multi-Site Role)

Salary : Up to £70,000 + bonus + benefits

Business Overview

Circa 400 vehicles across multiple depots in the North West

Combination of large and smaller operational sites

Organisation has trebled in size over the last five years

Operates within a franchised transport environment, working closely with a regional transport authority

Retains a non-corporate, agile culture despite scale, offering autonomy and high leadership satisfaction

The Role

You will have ownership of HSE & FM strategy and delivery across all depots, acting as a senior partner to engineering, operations, and depot leadership teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinating HSE strategy across a multi-site estate
• Maintaining and developing ISO standards
• Auditing, compliance assurance, and continuous improvement
• KPI development and performance monitoring
• Driving practical, innovative H&S initiatives
• Strong stakeholder engagement at all levels
• Regular depot visits, spot audits, and visible leadership presence
• Oversight of road risk, depot safety, and vehicle-related hazards
• Environmental management (fuel, waste, emergency response, EV transition)
• Facilities Management oversight with a compliance-focused remit

Candidate Profile

We are seeking candidates who are :

• Ambitious, energetic, and delivery-focused
• Pragmatic and credible, comfortable operating at depot level
• Able to work with autonomy while maintaining strong governance
• A strong cultural fit — grounded, personable, and commercially aware

Relevant sector backgrounds include :

• Transport, logistics, and distribution
• Engineering or manufacturing
• Aviation, airport, or similarly risk-led environments

Experience in depot-based operations, vehicle movements, fuelling, cleaning operations, engineering risks, and road safety will be highly relevant.

Working Pattern & Travel

Standard hours : 9am–5pm, with flexibility

Majority office and depot based

2–3 days per week visiting depots across the North West

Travel expenses covered

Out-of-hours involvement only in exceptional circumstances

Package

Salary : Up to £70,000

Bonus : Up to 10% annually (historically paid)

Pension : 5% employer / 3% employee

Holiday : 25 days + bank holidays

Benefits : Salary sacrifice schemes, cycle-to-work, EAP support

Why Consider This Role?

Senior leadership role with real autonomy and influence

High-growth business with a strong contract pipeline

Visible, operationally engaged position — not desk-bound

Opportunity to shape and future-proof HSE & FM across a growing estate