Qhse Manager

DK Recruitment; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

DK Recruitment seeks an experienced QHSE Manager to lead the development and continuous improvement of the company’s Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental strategy. This role ensures alignment with business goals, customer expectations, and regulatory requirements.

As the subject matter expert, you will maintain the Integrated Management System (IMS), drive governance, risk management and performance improvement, and lead across Quality, Health & Safety and Environmental disciplines to

Qualifications

• Recognised qualification in Quality, Health & Safety, Environmental Management, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Significant leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management systems.
• Experience leading internal and external audits.
• Strong problem-solving and data analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the QHSE strategy aligned with business priorities.
• Maintain and improve the IMS and lead internal and external audits.
• Lead quality management, CAPA and supplier quality improvement initiatives.
• Oversee Health & Safety and Environmental management systems and risk controls.
• Lead and develop the QHSE team and drive a culture of continuous improvement.
• Monitor KPIs and drive corrective actions to reduce risk and cost of quality.

Skills

Leadership

Quality management

Audits

ISO knowledge

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Education

Quality/Health & Safety/Environmental Management or related

Job description

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Operations Director, the QHSE Manager will lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Company’s Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental (QHSE) strategy. The role is responsible for ensuring that quality, health, safety and environmental objectives are fully aligned with business goals, customer expectations, and statutory requirements.

As the Company’s subject matter expert, the QHSE Manager will provide strategic leadership across all QHSE disciplines, promoting a culture of quality, safety, accountability and continuous improvement. The postholder will maintain the Integrated Management System (IMS), ensure ongoing compliance with ISO standards and relevant legislation, and drive operational excellence through effective governance, risk management and performance improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop, implement and deliver the Company’s QHSE strategy, objectives and improvement plans in line with business priorities.
• Provide expert advice and leadership on all Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental matters across the organisation.
• Foster a proactive culture of continuous improvement, risk reduction and operational excellence.
• Lead QHSE management reviews, reporting on performance, trends, risks and improvement opportunities.

Quality Management

• Lead and continuously improve the Company’s Quality Management System, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 and customer requirements.
• Ensure products consistently meet or exceed internal quality standards and customer expectations.
• Work collaboratively with Production, Engineering, Supply Chain and New Product Development (NPD) teams to embed quality throughout the manufacturing process.
• Lead investigations into customer complaints, internal non-conformances, supplier quality issues and audit findings using structured root cause analysis.
• Implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to eliminate recurring issues.
• Act as the primary escalation point for customer quality concerns, ensuring timely investigation and resolution.
• Establish and maintain robust quality assurance, inspection and quality control processes throughout manufacturing operations.
• Develop supplier quality standards and work collaboratively with suppliers to improve product quality and performance.

Health & Safety

• Maintain and continually improve the Company’s Health & Safety Management System in accordance with ISO 45001.
• Ensure full compliance with UK health and safety legislation and industry best practice.
• Monitor health and safety performance, analysing trends and implementing improvement initiatives.
• Ensure suitable and sufficient risk assessments, COSHH assessments and safe systems of work are maintained.
• Promote a positive safety culture through employee engagement, training and visible leadership.

Environmental Management

• Lead the Company’s Environmental Management System in accordance with ISO 14001.
• Ensure compliance with all environmental legislation, permits and regulatory obligations.
• Develop and deliver environmental objectives that support both operational efficiency and sustainability goals.
• Drive initiatives focused on waste reduction, recycling, energy efficiency and responsible resource management.

Integrated Management Systems & Compliance

• Maintain ownership of the Company’s Integrated Management System (IMS), ensuring ISO certifications are successfully maintained and continually improved.
• Plan, manage and deliver the internal audit programme across all business functions.
• Lead external audits undertaken by certification bodies, customers and regulatory authorities.
• Ensure robust document control, compliance monitoring and effective corrective action management.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes, ensuring ongoing organisational compliance.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, coach and develop the Quality Team Leader and Health, Safety & Environmental Coordinator.
• Build capability across the business through QHSE training, coaching and awareness programmes.
• Promote accountability for quality, safety and environmental performance at all levels of the organisation.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Reduction in Cost of Quality (CoQ) and field quality costs.
• Improvement in in-process and final inspection quality performance.
• Customer complaint reduction and on-time CAPA completion.
• Successful maintenance of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications.
• Health & Safety performance, including accident and incident reduction.
• Audit performance and closure of corrective actions.
• Accuracy and effectiveness of QHSE data collection, reporting and analysis.Delivery and effectiveness of QHSE training programmes.
• Environmental performance against agreed sustainability objectives.

Direct Reports

• Quality Team Leader
• Health, Safety & Environmental Coordinator

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Recognised qualification in Quality, Health & Safety, Environmental Management, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Significant leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record of developing and improving Quality Management Systems.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management systems.
• Experience leading internal and external audits.
• Strong understanding of UK Health & Safety and Environmental legislation.
• Experience using quality improvement methodologies and problem-solving tools (such as Root Cause Analysis, 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone and CAPA).
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to analyse data and use performance metrics to drive continuous improvement.

Desirable

• Lead Auditor qualification.
• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
• Membership of a recognised professional body (CQI, IOSH, IEMA or equivalent).
• Experience within a regulated manufacturing environment.