Technical Process Safety Lead

OCU; Stockport; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

OCU Group is seeking an experienced Technical Process Safety Lead to join the UK SHESQ team in Stockport. You will drive process safety frameworks, govern safety systems, and lead cross-functional governance to protect people, clients and communities.

You will own developing process safety frameworks, oversee competency, support technical assurance activities, and foster a proactive safety culture across the business, with nationwide travel in the UK.

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in a relevant engineering, technical or health and safety discipline.
• Significant experience managing process safety and safe systems of work within utilities, infrastructure, construction, engineering or related sectors.
• Excellent knowledge of UK process safety legislation and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop OCU Group's process safety frameworks across key technical disciplines, including Electrical Safety, COMAH and DSEAR (where applicable), NERS, GERS and WERS, Stored Energy (Heating & Pressurised Systems), Rail (where OCU controls Safe Systems of Work), Temporary Works, Asbestos Management and CDM (excluding Designer duties).
• SHEQ Strategy, Leadership & Compliance: Develop and implement SHEQ strategies aligned with company objectives and regulatory requirements; lead the continuous improvement of SHEQ management systems to ensure compliance with ISO standards, including ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001; act as the key point of contact for all SHEQ matters; provide leadership and direction to SHEQ Advisors and other team members to ensure effective implementation of SHEQ policies and procedures; and ensure the organization complies with all relevant SHEQ legislation, regulations and standards.
• Risk Management, Audits & Incident Investigation: Conduct regular audits and inspections of sites and operations to identify and mitigate risks; lead investigations into incidents, accidents and near misses, ensuring root causes are identified and corrective actions implemented; and develop and maintain risk assessments, safe systems of work and method statements.
• Training, Coaching & SHEQ culture: Design and deliver SHEQ training programmes for staff and contractors, ensuring they understand their responsibilities; provide coaching and mentoring to SHEQ team members and operational staff; and promote a positive SHEQ culture throughout the organization by encouraging proactive safety behaviours.
• Environmental & Sustainability Management: Lead the development and implementation of environmental management plans to minimise the company’s environmental impact; promote sustainability initiatives including waste reduction, energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction; and monitor environmental performance, reporting key metrics to senior management.
• Quality Management, Improvement & Reporting: Support the maintenance and continuous improvement of the company’s Quality Management System (QMS) in line with ISO 9001; lead quality audits and ensure non-conformities are addressed and corrective actions implemented; drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product and service quality; prepare and present SHEQ performance reports to senior management, including trend analysis and recommendations for improvement; and communicate SHEQ policies, procedures and performance across all levels of the organization.
• Communication, External Relations & Project Management: Liaise with external bodies, including regulatory agencies, auditors and industry groups, on SHEQ matters; manage and oversee SHEQ-related projects, ensuring delivery on time, within budget and to required standards; and coordinate with other departments to integrate SHEQ considerations into project planning and execution.

Skills

Process safety

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Governance & compliance

Risk assessment

Training & coaching

Regulatory knowledge (UK)

Education

Degree in engineering or health and safety

Job description

Description

Department: SHEQ & Growth

Location: Stockport

Location: UK (Nationwide Travel Required)

Department: UK SHESQ

Reporting to: UK SHESQ Director

The Opportunity

Drive Process Safety Excellence Across a Growing Infrastructure Business

At OCU Group, safety is at the heart of everything we do. As our business continues to grow across the utilities and infrastructure sectors, we are looking for an experienced Technical Process Safety Lead to join our UK SHESQ team.

This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for developing, implementing and continually improving our process safety frameworks across the business. Working closely with operational leaders, technical specialists and business units, you will ensure robust governance, compliance and assurance arrangements are in place to protect our people, clients and the communities we serve.

If you're passionate about process safety, thrive on influencing best practice and enjoy working across a diverse and fast-paced organisation, we'd love to hear from you.

About The Role

Reporting directly to the UK SHESQ Director, you will provide technical leadership and oversight across a range of process safety critical disciplines, ensuring effective management systems are established, maintained and continuously improved.

You will own the development of process safety frameworks, oversee the appointment and competency of safety-critical roles, support technical assurance activities, and work collaboratively across the business to embed a consistent and proactive safety culture.

This role will play a key part in ensuring statutory compliance while driving continuous improvement through governance, assurance and industry best practice.

What You’ll Do

As Technical Process Safety Lead, you will:

• Lead and develop OCU Group's process safety frameworks across key technical disciplines, including:
  • Electrical Safety
  • COMAH and DSEAR (where applicable)
  • NERS, GERS and WERS
  • Stored Energy (Heating & Pressurised Systems)
  • Rail (where OCU controls Safe Systems of Work)
  • Temporary Works
  • Asbestos Management
  • CDM (excluding Designer duties)
• SHEQ Strategy, Leadership & Compliance: Develop and implement SHEQ strategies aligned with company objectives and regulatory requirements; lead the continuous improvement of SHEQ management systems to ensure compliance with ISO standards, including ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001; act as the key point of contact for all SHEQ matters; provide leadership and direction to SHEQ Advisors and other team members to ensure effective implementation of SHEQ policies and procedures; and ensure the organization complies with all relevant SHEQ legislation, regulations and standards.
• Risk Management, Audits & Incident Investigation: Conduct regular audits and inspections of sites and operations to identify and mitigate risks; lead investigations into incidents, accidents and near misses, ensuring root causes are identified and corrective actions implemented; and develop and maintain risk assessments, safe systems of work and method statements.
• Training, Coaching & SHEQ culture: Design and deliver SHEQ training programmes for staff and contractors, ensuring they understand their responsibilities; provide coaching and mentoring to SHEQ team members and operational staff; and promote a positive SHEQ culture throughout the organization by encouraging proactive safety behaviours.
• Environmental & Sustainability Management: Lead the development and implementation of environmental management plans to minimise the company’s environmental impact; promote sustainability initiatives including waste reduction, energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction; and monitor environmental performance, reporting key metrics to senior management.
• Quality Management, Improvement & Reporting: Support the maintenance and continuous improvement of the company’s Quality Management System (QMS) in line with ISO 9001; lead quality audits and ensure non-conformities are addressed and corrective actions implemented; drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product and service quality; prepare and present SHEQ performance reports to senior management, including trend analysis and recommendations for improvement; and communicate SHEQ policies, procedures and performance across all levels of the organization.
• Communication, External Relations & Project Management: Liaise with external bodies, including regulatory agencies, auditors and industry groups, on SHEQ matters; manage and oversee SHEQ-related projects, ensuring delivery on time, within budget and to required standards; and coordinate with other departments to integrate SHEQ considerations into project planning and execution.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for an experienced process safety professional who combines strong technical expertise with the ability to influence and lead across a complex organisation.

You’ll be confident engaging with senior stakeholders, coaching others and driving continuous improvement while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Skills & Experience

• Qualifications & Technical Expertise: Degree or Diploma in a relevant engineering, technical or health and safety discipline, with significant experience managing process safety and safe systems of work within utilities, infrastructure, construction, engineering or related sectors, alongside excellent knowledge of UK process safety legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Governance, Assurance & Competence: Proven experience developing and implementing governance frameworks, assurance programmes and competency frameworks, with experience supporting technical training and driving continuous improvement in process safety.
• Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Strong leadership, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build collaborative working relationships and engage effectively at all levels across multiple business areas.
• Analytical & Personal Effectiveness: Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, supported by outstanding written and verbal communication skills; proactive, organised and methodical, with a genuine passion for improving process safety.

To ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to join our team, please inform us if you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment and interview process is, by emailing [e-mail].