Health and Safety Manager

Irwin & Colton; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing manufacturing business in Chelmsford is seeking a Health and Safety Manager to oversee health and safety across four sites. The ideal candidate will have 5-8 years experience within health and safety, particularly in food manufacturing, and hold a NEBOSH General qualification. This role involves coaching managers, driving a positive safety culture, and working closely with production teams. You’ll earn around £60,000, with potential flexibility, and work in a fast-paced environment geared towards continuous improvement.

Benefits

Company vehicles for site travel

Opportunity for professional development

Influential role in a growing business

Qualifications

• 5-8 years experience in Health and Safety, preferably in food manufacturing.
• Technical knowledge in PUWER and workplace transport.
• Experience with ISO systems desirable.

Responsibilities

• Own health and safety across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Coach managers and supervisors to improve health and safety standards.
• Drive a positive safety culture and compliance with ISO standards.

Skills

People-focused approach

Visibility and credibility

Engagement and consultation

Behavioral change leadership

Education

NEBOSH General (or equivalent)

Job description

Health and Safety Manager | Chelmsford | ~£60,000 + Additional Benefits

Are you ready to take ownership of health and safety in a hands‑on, operational role, supporting a diverse range of factory environments?

Can you bring the confidence to engage with everyone from the shop floor to senior management, helping to build on a strong safety culture that's still growing and developing?

Would you thrive in a close‑knit, fast‑paced business, where good practice and people development are at the heart of everything they do?

If these questions resonate, this Health and Safety Manager role could be a great fit. The business functions in four dynamic sites across Essex, from packaging and distribution to food processing and manufacturing. This role directly reports into the Quality, Safety and Environment Manager, sitting as an important part of their team.

Responsibilities of the Health and Safety Manager will include:

• Owning health and safety across four nearby manufacturing and packing sites, with a strong on‑site presence and close partnership with production, engineering and quality teams.
• Acting as the visible lead for health and safety, coaching managers and supervisors to improve behaviours, engagement and day‑to‑day standards.
• Providing hands‑on technical leadership across key risk areas such as PUWER, workplace transport and manual handling, using external support where needed.
• Driving a positive safety culture in a rapidly growing business, strengthening consultation, engagement and systems in line with ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.

The successful Health and Safety Manager will have:

• Between 5 and 8 years within Health and Safety, ideally within food manufacturing or a similar fast‑paced operational environment.
• Strong presence and credibility, with the confidence to lead discussions, run meetings and present to mixed groups across the business.
• A hands‑on, people‑focused approach, able to engage a workforce with low historic participation and drive real behavioural changes.
• NEBOSH General (or equivalent) as a minimum, with solid technical knowledge across areas such as PUWER and workplace transport; experience working with ISO systems would be beneficial.

What does the Health and Safety Manager offer you?

• A salary of around £60,000, with flexibility up to £65,000 for the right person, plus access to company vehicles for site travel.
• A key role in a rapidly growing business that has more than doubled in size in recent years and continues to invest in people, sites and systems – including an ongoing, state‑of‑the‑art site development.
• The opportunity to shape and lead health and safety in a business with low bureaucracy, where decisions can be made quickly with the right justification.
• A highly visible position where you can make a genuine impact day to day, working with proactive teams who are open to change and improvement.

This is a pivotal role for a confident, hands‑on professional who can work collaboratively, lead by example, and establish structure and accountability from day one. A valid UK driver’s licence is essential. For more information on this opportunity or to discuss your next career move, contact Ben Francis on [phone] or apply here.