Interim Head of Health, Safety & Environment

Irwin & Colton Limited; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Interim Head of Health, Safety and Environment to lead transformative cultural and behavioral improvements across their operations. This operational role offers a unique opportunity to shape the safety culture within a leading food manufacturing business undergoing significant change. With a focus on compliance and stakeholder engagement, the successful candidate will manage a dedicated team and drive a proactive, values-led approach to health and safety. If you're passionate about making a real impact in a fast-paced environment, this is the role for you.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in manufacturing, ideally food or FMCG.
• Proven success delivering turnaround and cultural change.

Responsibilities

• Leading health, safety, and environmental agenda across multiple locations.
• Driving a proactive, values-led culture focused on continuous improvement.

Skills

Health and Safety Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Cultural Change Management

Compliance with UK HSE Legislation

Education

NEBOSH Diploma

Relevant Professional Memberships (e.g., IOSH)

Job description

Interim Head of Health, Safety and Environment (Interim)
East Anglia
~ £400 Per Day (Outside IR35)
3-6 Month Contract - Immediate Start

We're working with a leading food manufacturing business in East Anglia that's going through a period of change and modernisation. They're seeking an Interim Head of Health, Safety and Environment to lead cultural and behavioural improvements across their primary processing site and wider operations.

This is an operational, delivery-focused role, backed by senior leadership and with the scope to genuinely shape the safety culture - not just provide cover.

Responsibilities of the Interim Head of HSE will include:

1. Leading the health, safety, and environmental agenda across the main site and multiple associated locations
2. Driving a proactive, values-led culture with a focus on continuous improvement
3. Managing and supporting a small on-site team (including Safety and Environmental Officers)
4. Engaging key internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership and regulators
5. Ensuring compliance with UK HSE legislation and aligning practices with wider group standards

The successful Interim Head of HSE will have:

1. Strong experience in manufacturing, ideally food or FMCG
2. NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent) and relevant professional memberships (e.g., IOSH)
3. Proven success delivering turnaround and cultural change in fast-paced environments
4. Excellent stakeholder engagement and leadership skills

This is an exciting opportunity to join a business undergoing transformation, with the chance to make a real and lasting impact.

For more information, contact Tom Hewat at 01923 432 637.

Irwin and Colton are a specialist Health and Safety recruitment company, based in the Southeast of England, recruiting across the UK. We recruit all roles in the health and safety industry, from Health and Safety Manager, Health and Safety Director to Health and Safety Advisor positions.

Irwin and Colton Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job, you accept the T&Cs, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers available at our website irwinandcolton.com. Irwin and Colton is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion; please let us know if we can do anything to make the process more accessible to you.