Lead Health & Safety Manager - Retail

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

Job summary

A well-known retail organization in Manchester seeks a Lead Health and Safety Manager to ensure safe operations for colleagues and customers. This role includes developing policies, delivering training, and managing health and safety risks. Ideal candidates will have a NEBOSH Diploma and significant Health & Safety experience in retail. The position offers a salary of £64,000 - £68,000 plus benefits, including a company car and private healthcare. The role operates in a hybrid model, requiring some field visits.

Benefits

Annual bonus based on performance

28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service)

Pension with up to 10% employer contributions

Private healthcare

Access to a subsidised onsite gym

30% discount on Co-op products

Virtual healthcare services

Training and support for career progression

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Health & Safety management in retail or multi-site environments.
• Strong knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation and compliance standards.
• Experience delivering training and coaching to operational teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice to senior leaders on health & safety.
• Develop and maintain clear and compliant policies and procedures.
• Monitor and manage health & safety risks effectively.
• Lead investigations into serious incidents and implement preventative measures.

Skills

Health & Safety management

Communication

Influencing skills

Analytical skills

Education

NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent)

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 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?

• 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.