Health and Safety Manager

Zest Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy in health and safety is looking for a Health & Safety Manager in the UK. You will be responsible for driving safe systems of work and ensuring compliance across two food manufacturing sites. This hands-on role requires strong communication, risk assessment skills, and a proactive approach. Join a company that values collaboration and continuous improvement to help elevate safety standards and make a significant impact in the industry.

Benefits

Genuine progression opportunities

Autonomy and visibility in the role

Influential position in a collaborative team

Qualifications

• 2+ years of HSE experience in FMCG, preferably food manufacturing.
• Practical approach to health and safety with strong problem-solving skills.
• Organised, proactive and tech-literate.

Responsibilities

• Drive safe systems of work and ensure compliance.
• Manage audits and risk assessments.
• Lead HS&E meetings and develop safety strategies.

Skills

Accident investigation

Risk assessment

Communication

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Education

IOSH / NEBOSH

Job description

If you’re an experienced HSE / SHE / Health & Safety professional in the food manufacturing world, this is the kind of role that doesn’t come around often–one where you’re not just maintaining standards but shaping the future of a thriving business.

Picture this: a fast-paced, FMCG environment where the leadership team genuinely values Health & Safety as a driver of performance, culture, and employee wellbeing. A place where you’re not a box-ticking auditor-you’re the person the Site Lead and wider site leadership turn to for guidance, improvement, and transformation.

This business is continuing to grow and invest and they’re now looking for a hands-on, forward-thinking Health & Safety Manager who wants to be visible on the shop floor, influence teams, and elevate standards across HSE.

If you enjoy being the ambassador for change, empowering colleagues, and building safer, smarter, and more compliant manufacturing operations, this could be the next step you’ve been waiting for.

The Opportunity

In this role, you’ll be the heartbeat of HS&E across 2 sites-driving safe systems of work, coaching teams, ensuring compliance, managing audits, and embedding a culture where safe choices are second nature.

You’ll have the autonomy to make improvements, the support of engaged senior leaders, and the chance to truly progress as the company continues to expand.

What You’ll Be Doing

On the shop floor and in daily operations, you will:

• Maintain a strong, approachable HSE presence—being visible, supportive, and hands-on.
• Ensure PPE, testing, maintenance, and occupational health provisions are up to standard.
• Work closely with Engineering to ensure compliance around PSSR, LOLER, ATEX/DSEAR, PAT/FAT testing, emergency lighting, fire systems and more.
• Support emergency response and first aid (training provided where required).
• Strengthen safe working practices through partnership, coaching, and collaboration.
• Ensure contractors operate safely with robust RAMS and compliance processes.

From an audit and corporate perspective, you will:

• Deliver compliance reviews, facility audits, risk assessments and improvement plans.
• Manage HS&E documentation and reporting.
• Drive policy improvements and implement new HSE initiatives.

From a cultural and leadership standpoint, you will:

• Lead regular HS&E meetings, encouraging open reporting and involvement across all teams.
• Keep the business aligned with evolving H&S legislation while developing your CPD.
• Guide managers to understand and uphold their legal responsibilities.
• Play a key role in developing the site’s long-term safety strategy.

Training & Coaching:

• Deliver toolbox talks, monthly training sessions, and behaviour-based safety initiatives.
• Support competency development across operational teams and influence through education.

What You’ll Bring

You’ll be someone who thrives in a busy manufacturing setting and understands the complexity of food production environments.

Essential

• IOSH / NEBOSH
• 2+ years in HS&E within FMCG—ideally food manufacturing.
• Strong accident investigation and risk assessment experience.
• Practical, common-sense approach to H&S with strong problem-solving ability.
• Confident communicator, able to influence at all levels.
• Organised, proactive, tech-literate, and able to work independently or as part of a team.
• Willingness to work flexibly to support the needs of the sites.

Why This Role?

• Genuine progression opportunities as the business grows.
• A role with influence, autonomy, and visibility—not a desk-based function.
• A leadership team that values collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement.
• The chance to leave a real legacy on safety culture across two important sites.

If you’re an HSE professional who wants to make an impact—not just maintain status quo—and you’re passionate about elevating safety standards within a food manufacturing environment, I’d love to speak with you.

For more information, please contact Shaf Islam on [e-mail].