Head of Health & Safety
HQ, Chester
Hickory’s Smokehouse, proudly crowned Best Pub Employer 2025 at The Publican Awards. As the fastest-growing Southern-style Smokehouse group in the UK, we’re all about traditional American BBQ, strong teams and real progression.
Head of Health and Safety.
Job Description
The Head of Health & Safety is responsible for developing, implementing, and leading health, safety, and compliance strategies across all restaurant locations. This role ensures the business operates in full compliance with legal requirements while promoting a strong safety culture that protects employees,customers and brand reputation.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy & Leadership
1. Develop and deliver a company-wide health & safety strategy aligned with business goals
2. Act as the subject matter expert on all H&S matters across the organisation
3. Lead, mentor, and develop regional or site-based H&S team
4. Influence senior stakeholders to drive a positive safety culture
Compliance & Governance
5. Ensure compliance with all UK HSE legislation, food safety laws, and local authority regulations
6. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulatory changes and implement required updates
7. Oversee audits, inspections, and risk assessments across all sites
8. Manage relationships with regulatory bodies (e.g., HSE, Environmental Health Officers)
Operational Safety
9. Design and implement safe systems of work specific to restaurant operations (e.g., kitchens, front-of-house, deliveries)
10. Monitor accident, incident, and near-miss reporting systems and drive corrective actions
Food Safety & Hygiene
11. Oversee food safety standards in line with HACCP principles
12. Ensure all sites meet required food hygiene ratings
13. Implement and monitor food safety training and procedures
Training & Culture
14. Develop and deliver health & safety training programmes for all levels of staff
15. Promote a proactive safety culture across restaurants
16. Support managers in embedding safe behaviours into daily operations
Reporting & Continuous Improvement
17. Produce regular reports on H&S performance for senior leadership
18. Analyse trends and implement improvement plans
19. Drive continuous improvement initiatives across all locations
Key Requirements
Experience
20. Extensive experience in a senior health & safety role within hospitality or multi-site operations
21. Proven track record of managing H&S across multiple locations
22. Experience working in fast-paced restaurant or food service environments
Qualifications
23. NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent)
24. Chartered Membership of IOSH (CMIOSH) – highly desirable
25. Food Safety Level 4 (preferred)
Skills & Competencies
26. Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills
27. Excellent knowledge of UK health & safety and food safety legislation
28. Ability to influence and drive behavioural change
29. Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving skills
30. Strong communication and training delivery skills
How we will Thank You for being a Hickory’s Head Health and Safety:
31. A generous package of up to £65,000 per year including
32. 33 days holiday (including Bank Holidays)
33. 25% discount for you and 5 friends at all of our restaurants (including Barlounge & Upstairs at the Grill in Chester). This will increase to 50% discount for loyal service
34. Birthday reward - A meal on us for you and your friends every year
35. Superb training & progression opportunities with The Hickory’s Academy
36. Qualification opportunities whilst working (Up to A Level and Degree level equivalent)
37. FREE BBQ / Team food and authentic sodas while on shift
38. Christmas Day off work every year
39. Paid occasion days off (Wedding Day, Kid’s first day at school, Moving into your first house and more!)
40. The Red Zone – Our pledge to work life balance
41. 24-hour access to our wellness programme
42. Stacks of enrichment opportunities including the possibility of once-in-a-lifetime trips to the Deep South!