Site Safety Lead

QinetiQ; Scotland; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence technology company in Scotland is searching for a Safety Site Lead to drive safety culture and manage HSE compliance at the BUTEC site. The role requires expertise in safety management, strong communication skills, and the ability to engage cross-functionally. Candidates should have a Level 3 or Diploma in Health and Safety and relevant experience in operational environments. Hybrid working patterns are available.

Benefits

Matched contribution pension scheme

Generous holiday allowance

Private Medical Insurance options

Employee discount portal

Volunteering Opportunities

Qualifications

• Skilled practical knowledge of Safety Management Systems with ISO 45001.
• Experience managing Health & Safety in the workplace.
• Training in accident investigation including root cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Support operational teams with health and safety advice.
• Implement HSE legislation and policy effectively.
• Engage with internal and external safety stakeholders.
• Facilitate safety improvements through training and mentoring.
• Assist teams in competence assessment for HSE accountabilities.

Skills

Safety Management Systems knowledge

Operational and engineering environments knowledge

Analytical and communication skills

Coaching and influencing skills

Proactive problem-solving

Education

Level 3 or Diploma in Health and Safety

Recognition of chartered status in relevant professional body

Job description

Package: Competitive Salary + Benefits

Role ID: SF19059

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Safety Site Lead at our BUTEC site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting‑edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As a Site Safety Lead, you will act in a business partner capacity to provide support, competent and professional safety advice to the Site Operational Team in order to develop and continually improve all aspects of our safety culture, performance and management in accordance with the safety management system and relevant legislative requirements.

Day‑to‑day, you’ll support your assigned Business Unit or site(s) as applicable, and on occasion UK Safety Function, working flexibly to deliver against the Key Accountabilities described below.

All site‑related delivery activities will require a close working relationship between the Head of Site (HoS) and Site Safety Lead, whilst functional safety activities will be managed by the UK Safety LT. The expectation is to ensure good communication between Site Safety Leads and HoS’s on a regular basis, especially for those Site Safety Leads who have more than 1 site. This can be achieved with a collaborative mind‑set, clarity on expectations and working closely with our respective Compliance Leads (and Range Safety, where applicable) as well.

The role will drive a step change in the safety culture across the business contributing to improved safety performance.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Work in partnership with the Head of Site and Site Compliance Lead to provide competent and professional health, safety and occasional environmental advice to operational and delivery teams
• Lead a practical implementation and delivery of HSE legislation, policy, strategy and objectives; applying high professional standards through building strong professional internal networks
• Lead on effective engagement with internal and external health and safety contacts/stakeholders around the organisation and industry through site visits, remote collaboration, and participation at relevant site meetings
• Deliver the safety improvements and changes through a process of training, mentoring, coaching and facilitating
• Provide advice and support to operational and delivery teams in regards to HSE competence assessment, ensuring delivery teams are competent to deliver against respective HSE accountabilities and responsibilities
• Review and close out health and safety incident reporting, working with business/functional contacts to help them improve data quality, and support the investigation/management of environmental incidents, commensurate with their significance/impact

Essential experience of the Safety Site Lead

• Skilled practical knowledge of Safety Management Systems with working knowledge and experience of ISO 45001
• Strong knowledge of delivery, operations and engineering environments
• Proven ability and experience of leading and implementing change and improving safety outcomes within complex matrix organisations through proactive ownership and delivery
• Highly motivated with excellent analytical, engagement, coaching and influencing skills with all levels of an organisation with the ability to communicate complex and analytical information to all levels of the business and facilitate a common understanding of the content
• An ability to be pro‑active, solution orientated and to eagerly drive change and improvements
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; able to express complex issues using clear language and able to prioritise while managing multiple priorities

Essential qualifications for the Safety Site Lead

• Level 3 or Diploma in Health and Safety or equivalent
• Experience of managing Health & Safety in the workplace either as HSE Practitioner or in delivery role with key HSE responsibilities
• Chartered or working towards chartered status of a relevant professional body
• Recognised training in accident investigation including root cause analysis techniques

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at BUTEC (British Underwater Test & Evaluation Centre). Hybrid working patterns are available.

BUTEC

BUTEC (British Underwater Test & Evaluation Centre) is a specialised facility focused on underwater testing and evaluation. It supports the development and assessment of various maritime systems including submarines, autonomous underwater vehicles and naval munitions. Working towards the advancement of underwater technology including innovations in sonar, navigation and communication systems in real‑world scenarios.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities – helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process:

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)