Operations - Compliance Lead

Finsbury Food Group; East Kilbride; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Finsbury Food Group is seeking an Compliance Improvement Lead to drive site-level HSE, food safety and environmental compliance. You will work closely with the Site Lead and Leadership Team to embed robust systems, manage audits, and continuously improve risk controls.

The role requires strong experience in manufacturing compliance, UK legislation knowledge, and the ability to coordinate across multi-site operations. Hybrid/onsite travel may be required.

Qualifications

• NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent health and safety qualification.
• Strong HSE compliance experience in manufacturing, ideally food/bakery/FMCG.
• Good understanding of UK health and safety legislation and site compliance.
• Experience supporting or maintaining an HSE Management System.
• Experience conducting risk assessments, safe systems of work, inspections and audits.
• Internal auditor experience or practical audit support.
• Experience supporting incident investigations and corrective action tracking.
• Knowledge of machinery safety, contractor control, workplace transport, etc.

Responsibilities

• Lead the site-level compliance strategy aligned to Group standards and ESG objectives.
• Support and maintain robust HSE, Food Safety, and Environmental Management Systems.
• Ensure duty holders are in place and capable of meeting legal obligations.
• Partner with Site Lead and Leadership Team with expert advice and challenge.
• Lead site environmental compliance and support sustainability plan delivery.
• Support internal and external audit programmes and drive CAPA.
• Maintain the site risk register and mitigate identified risks.
• Oversee incident reporting, investigations, and learning.
• Track compliance performance metrics and highlight trends and improvements.
• Act as link to Regional and Group Compliance, sharing best practices.

Skills

HSE compliance

Auditing & assurance

Risk assessment

Incident investigation

Contractor management

Communication

MS Office

Education

NEBOSH General Certificate

GradIOSH/TechIOSH

ISO 45001 auditor training

Tools

Microsoft Visio

Job description

This is what you’ll actually do!

As our Compliance Improvement Lead, you will:

• Lead the site-level compliance strategy, aligned to Group standards and ESG objectives
• Support and maintain robust HSE, Food Safety, and Environmental Management Systems
• Ensure appropriate duty holders are in place and capable of meeting legal and company obligations
• Act as a trusted partner to the Site Lead and Leadership Team, providing expert advice, insight, and challenge
• Lead site environmental compliance and support delivery of the site sustainability plan
• Support internal and external audit programmes, driving effective resolution of non-conformances and actions
• Maintain the site risk register, ensuring risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated
• Support and oversee incident reporting and investigations, ensuring learning is embedded
• Track and report compliance performance metrics, highlighting trends, risks, and improvement opportunities
• Act as the site link into Regional and Group Compliance, escalating issues where required and sharing best practices

This role is primarily site-based, with occasional travel to support audits, meetings, or wider compliance initiatives.

Ideally this is you!

Essential:

• NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent relevant health and safety qualification.
• Strong health and safety compliance experience within manufacturing, ideally food manufacturing, bakery, FMCG or another high-paced operational environment.
• Good understanding of UK health and safety legislation, regulatory expectations and site-level compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting or maintaining a HSE Management Systems.
• Experience carrying out or reviewing risk assessments, safe systems of work, inspections and audits.
• Internal auditor experience or practical experience supporting audit and assurance activity.
• Experience supporting incident investigations and corrective action tracking.
• Good understanding of key operational risk areas such as machinery safety, contractor control, workplace transport, manual handling, fire safety, hazardous substances, working at height and maintenance activity.
• Strong facilitation, organisation and project coordination skills, with good attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Good Microsoft Office skills, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Current full driving licence, if multi-site travel is required.

Desirable:

• NEBOSH Diploma, NVQ Level 5/6 in Occupational Health and Safety, or working towards equivalent.
• TechIOSH, GradIOSH or working towards Chartered Membership of IOSH.
• ISO 45001 internal auditor or lead auditor training.
• IEMA Foundation Certificate or equivalent environmental awareness qualification.
• Experience in food manufacturing, bakery, chilled or ambient production environments.
• Experience with H&S KPI reporting, trend analysis and action tracking systems.
• Experience creating or revising H&S procedures, forms, guidance documents and training material.Practical knowledge of contractor management, CDM, PUWER, LOLER, COSHH, DSEAR, fire safety and statutory inspection arrangements.
• Experience supporting regulator, insurer or customer audit visits.
• Microsoft Visio or other process mapping experience.