Lead Health & Safety Manager - Retail

Co-op; Kettering; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail organization in the UK is looking for a Lead Health and Safety Manager to ensure safety standards in their operations. You will advise senior leaders, develop safety policies, and lead investigations. Ideal candidates should have a NEBOSH Diploma and strong experience in Health & Safety management within retail. This role offers a competitive salary and hybrid work flexibility, reflecting the company's commitment to employee welfare and development.

Benefits

Annual bonus based on performance

28 days holiday

Pension with up to 10% employer contributions

Private healthcare

Company car

30% discount on Co-op products

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Health & Safety management in retail.
• Experience working with senior leaders.
• Ability to turn data into insights.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice to senior leaders on health & safety.
• Develop and maintain compliance policies.
• Lead investigations into serious incidents.

Skills

NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent)

Knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation

Excellent communication skills

Strong analytical skills

Experience delivering training

Education

NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety

Job description

Lead Health and Safety Manager – Retail

£64,000 - £68,000 plus excellent benefits, including company car (Work Level 5)

Field based role, with visits to stores, depots and our Manchester support centre as required - we’re now working in a hybrid way, with colleagues dividing their time between home/remote working and the office. You can find out more about our hybrid working policy at colleagues.coop.co.uk/hybrid-working-policy

We’re looking for a Lead Health & Safety Manager to join our team and make sure our retail operations are safe for colleagues and customers. You’ll play a key role in protecting the business from legal, financial, and reputational risks, while helping us build a strong safety culture across our stores and logistics network.

Why this role matters

In this role, you’ll provide expert advice to senior leaders, influence change, and make sure our health and safety standards are simple, sustainable, and compliant. From shaping policies to leading investigations and delivering training, you’ll have the chance to make a real impact in a business that puts people first.

What you’ll do

• Build strong relationships with senior leaders and provide clear and practical health & safety advice
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures that are clear, compliant, and practical
• Monitor and manage health & safety risks, interpreting legislation and anticipating changes
• Deliver training and guidance to field teams and managers to strengthen safety culture
• Lead investigations into serious incidents and put preventative measures in place
• Work closely with other teams and external regulators to keep standards consistent
• Use data and trends to find ways to improve how we work
• Visit stores and depots when needed to support investigations or help land changes

What you’ll bring

• NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent) in Occupational Health & Safety and IOSH membership (if you are chartered or working towards chartered status, this would be advantageous but not required)
• Significant experience in management Health & Safety management in retail or multi-site environments
• Strong knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation and compliance standards
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with experience working with senior leaders
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to turn data into insights that improve policies and processes
• Experience delivering training and coaching to operational teams

Why Co-op?

At Co-op, we’re owned by our members. And because we’re owned by you, we can do right by you. So when you join us, you’re not just taking a job, you’re joining a movement. We’re an organisation that puts people and communities first, and we’re powered by purpose. We want this to be a place where you can thrive, so you’ll also receive:

• An annual bonus (based on personal and business performance)
• 28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays
• A pension with up to 10% employer contributions
• Private healthcare
• Company car
• Access to a subsidised onsite gym (at our Manchester HQ)
• 30% discount on Co-op products and 10% off other brands
• Stream – early access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it
• Virtual healthcare including GP appointments, mental health support, nutrition and fitness advice
• 24/7 colleague support service
• Training and support for your development and career progression
• Cycle-to-work scheme

A place you’ll belong

We’re building diverse and inclusive teams that reflect the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to creating a workplace where colleagues can feel like they belong, supported by our inclusive policies and the ways we work.

We’re proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme and offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for a job. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we’ll support you.

Learn more about our recruitment process at jobs.coop.co.uk/apply-process and our inclusion commitments at jobs.coop.co.uk/diversity-inclusion

Please note that we may close applications for this role early.

As part of your application, you'll need to complete an online assessment. This assessment typically takes up to 50 minutes. If you're a current Co-op colleague, this does not need to be completed.