Health & Safety Manager

Royal Navy; Dunfermline; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days' annual leave +1 day a year up

Flexible and hybrid working

Enhanced parental leave

Pension contribution 28.97%

Shopping discounts

Job summary

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) invites applications for a Health & Safety Manager to join the Crombie site management team. You will lead a safety-focused function, coordinate risk management, and provide professional health, safety and business support to multiple stakeholders in a complex defence environment.

You will oversee compliance with regulations, manage MACR activities, and drive continuous improvement, reporting to the Head of Establishment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a high hazard environment leading safety teams.
• Hold a relevant safety qualification (Level 3+) and demonstrate progression toward higher qualifications.
• Strong leadership and communication with track record of process improvement.
• Experience in risk assessments, audits and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high performing team covering health, safety & environment, risk management, local communications and depot support to deliver solid backing on a day-to-day basis to multiple stakeholders, while fostering a strong safety culture and continuous improvement.
• Provide expert safety assurance and advice on all site activities, including explosives storage, processing, and movements.
• Oversee compliance with health, safety, environmental, radiation, fire, and dangerous goods regulations.
• Manage explosive safety licensing and work safety approvals, ensuring all operations meet stringent safety standards.
• Lead accident prevention, reporting, investigation, and implementation of lessons learned.
• Oversee the maintenance and development of appropriate KPIs, dashboard reporting, risk registers and MI for management meetings.
• Coordinate MACR activities, liaising with emergency services and regulatory authorities.
• Manage delivery of tasking on time and to MOD standards, leading the team to achieve KPIs.
• Provide ongoing safety and business-related guidance as part of the site senior management team.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, unions and staff representatives.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Risk assessment

Audit & assurance

Education

Safety qualification (min Level 3)

SCQF Level 10 / professional qualification

Job description

Job Description

Organisation: Defence Equipment & Support

Salary: £44,100 per annum (plus generous benefits)

Grade: PII

Working Pattern: Full time, Flexible Working

Contract Type: Permanent

Job Summary

At Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), we supply and maintain vital equipment and services for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. Together, we deliver a vast range of essential defence programmes, and strive for what's next. Because it helps keep our military at the top of their game and our nation safe - for today, and tomorrow.

DE&S has recently been integrated into the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group. The NAD Group brings together key Ministry of Defence (MOD) organisations to unite expertise across science, technology, procurement, infrastructure, and support to provide integrated capabilities faster and more efficiently for our armed forces and our allies. This is an exciting new opportunity to enable better ways of working and empower greater collaboration across Defence. For further information about the NAD Group, please visit: National Armaments Director Group - GOV.UK

We offer 25+ days' holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of 28.97%, to help make work for you.

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you've been recruited for. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you've been recruited for. If it isn't obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn't obtained within 12 months.

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, proactive and highly motivated Health & Safety Manager to join the management team at Defence Munitions Crombie.

This is a key leadership position within a complex, safety-critical defence environment, covering road, rail and marine logistics offering an opportunity to influence safety performance, operational effectiveness and organisational improvement.

You will have a dual responsibility leading a dedicated team providing professional health and safety and comprehensive business support across the establishment while supporting the wider management and day-to-day management of the site.

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate sound operational judgement, strong leadership skills and a practical, proportionate approach to managing risk.

This role is primarily 80-100% site based at the DM Crombie, in a remote area with no public transport options so it is essential that you have a full UK driving licence. Please note any travel to sites other than your Primary Duty Station will be subsidised.

The successful candidate must be able to safely access all relevant operational and estate areas across the site, including woodland and locations with uneven terrain. While the role is not primarily physically demanding, it involves undertaking inspections and other infrastructure oversight activities outdoors in variable and occasionally adverse weather conditions. The successful candidate must therefore be able to undertake these activities safely, with reasonable adjustments considered where appropriate.

After appropriate training and experiential learning, you will have the opportunity to undertake rostered Duty Control Officer and Duty Officer in Charge duties, ensuring a dedicated 24/7 presence and on-call system. These rostered commitments also attract additional renumeration.

What you'll be doing

• Lead and develop a high performing team covering health, safety & environment, risk management, local communications and depot support to deliver solid backing on a day-to-day basis to multiple stakeholders, while fostering a strong safety culture and continuous improvement.
• Provide expert safety assurance and advice on all site activities, including explosives storage, processing, and movements.
• Oversee compliance with health, safety, environmental, radiation, fire, and dangerous goods regulations.
• Manage explosive safety licensing and work safety approvals, ensuring all operations meet stringent safety standards.
• Lead accident prevention, reporting, investigation, and implementation of lessons learned.
• Oversee the maintenance and development of appropriate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), dashboard reporting, risk registers and preparing management information (MI), including provision of business intelligence and analysis for management meetings.
• Coordinate Major Accident Control Regulation (MACR) activities, liaising with emergency services and regulatory authorities.
• Manage delivery of tasking on time and to MOD standards, leading the team to achieve key performance indicators.
• As part of the site senior management team, you will provide ongoing support and considered advice and guidance on safety and business-related support, acting as an escalation point and reporting to the Head of Establishment.
• Collaborate with Defence Munitions and National Armaments Director Group stakeholders, local trade unions, and staff representatives.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Relevant work experience across a similar role in a high hazard environment - Lead Criterion
• Hold a relevant Safety Qualification (min Level 3) for the role and either hold or demonstrate working towards an RQF Level 5/6 professional qualification (England, Wales & Northern Ireland) or SCQF level 10 (Scotland)
• Evidence of strong Leadership and communication skills as well as managing a team in a fast-paced working environment
• Clear demonstrable experience in changing and improving processes and effective decision making

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Core Behaviour 1: Communicating and Influencing - CSBC 3
• Core Behaviour 2: Leadership - CSBC 3
• Technical Competence 1: Conducting Risk Assessments - Practitioner
• Technical Competence 2: Audit & Assurance - Practitioner

Offered benefits

• 25 days' annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King's birthday
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you're looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you'll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of - and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

#LI-Onsite

Further Information

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles: CSC Recruitment Principles
• Candidate Information Pack: NAD Group Candidate Pack
• Terms and Conditions: Terms and Conditions
• Civil Service Code: The Code - Civil Service Commission

Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section 'Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.'

Please note that where high numbers of applications are received, departments can choose to interview candidates that best meet the essential criteria for the job, rather than interviewing all that meet the essential criteria. This is at the discretion of advertising departments to decide what they have capacity to interview.

Conflicts of Interest

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

Selection Process Details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift - We will check your application to ensure that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Sift - Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
3. Interview - Interview questions will assess the following behaviours and technical competencies:

• CV Review
• Core Behaviour 1
• Core Behaviour 2
• Technical Competencies

Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the ranking of the assessed behaviours and competencies below:

• 1st: Core Behaviour 1
• 2nd: Core Behaviour 2
• 3rd: Technical Competencies
• 4th: CV Review

In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise the Lead criteria, and/or an additional assessment. Please note for this specific assessment, the Lead Criteria will be:

Relevant work experience across a similar role in a high hazard environment

Please Note:

In the event of high volume of applications, the selection panel reserves the right to increase the overall pass mark. Please refer to the candidate pack for more information.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email ([e-mail].) If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints - Civil Service Commission

Offering at a lower level

If you're not successful at interview, we may offer you a role at a lower level if this is a match for your skills and experience. If this applies to your application, you'll be scored against criteria for the lower-level role and offers will be made in merit order. If you accept this position, you'll be able to take advantage of opportunities to develop your career as part of our team.

About Us

We are the National Armaments Director Group (NAD Group). Part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), we bring together a wide range of expertise to develop, deliver, and sustain the UK's national defence capabilities. Working closely with industry, international partners, and allies, we provide the equipment, technology, and support services that enable our armed forces to operate effectively and respond to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

About the Team

Corporate Services Group (CSG) is the glue that bonds DE&S together, providing the foundation that keeps day-to-day operations running smoothly, so we can keep the UK military equipped, protected and connected. With experts in everything from business support and policy to infrastructure and occupational health, this department is represented across our organisation, enabling our success.

Please see the MOD Privacy notice which informs how we will use your personal data, explains your rights and gives you information you are entitled to under Data Protection legislation.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Please click here to find out more.

DE&S/SDA and MOD Main internal applicants will need to apply through MyHR Internal Career Portal via the DE&S/SDA jobs tile. This can be found on the MyHR home page.

Please ensure you check your junk mail for email notifications from the DE&S/SDA Talent Acquisition Team. To stop notifications being sent to your junk mail please add the following email address ([e-mail]) to the Safe Senders list in your email account.