The Company
Western Fuels are one of the largest Independent Fuel Distributors in the Southwest operating out of 7 locations. The company is listed in the top 200 companies based in the Southwest and has enjoyed considerable growth in the last 3 years resulting in it being listed as the 28th fastest growing company in the region. The successful candidate would be joining a family run team of more than 60 employees servicing more than 60,000 households throughout the area.
Job Description
The SHEQ Manager is responsible for overseeing, developing, and continuously improving Safety, Health, Environmental, and Quality standards across all Western Fuel operations, including depots and transport activities. The role ensures full legal and regulatory compliance, promotes a proactive safety culture, and drives operational excellence through structured management systems and practical on-site involvement.
This position combines strategic oversight with hands-on operational support and assumes ownership of the company's integrated SHEQ management system. The SHEQ Manager plays a key leadership role in ensuring that all compliance, safety, environmental, and quality obligations are met across all depot and transport functions
Key Responsibilities:
Safety Management and Compliance
· Implement, maintain, and continuously improve health & safety systems across all depots and operational activities.
· Ensure full compliance with UK health & safety legislation, environmental regulations, and industry standards relevant to fuel storage and distribution.
· Maintain and regularly review the company Legal & Compliance Register covering HSE, Environment Agency, and transport-related regulations.
· Act as the primary point of contact for regulators, inspectors, insurers, and external auditors.
· Lead investigations into accidents, incidents, near misses, and dangerous occurrences, ensuring root cause analysis and corrective actions are implemented.
· Respond to enforcement notices, regulatory enquiries, and insurance investigations where required.
· Develop and review risk assessments, method statements, and safe systems of work.
· Oversee contractor compliance, issue permits to work and ensure adherence to RAMS and permit procedures.
· Monitor and report on SHEQ KPIs including incidents, training compliance, corrective actions, and trends.
Health Management
· Monitor workplace health risks and ensure appropriate control measures are in place.
· Ensure compliance with COSHH regulations and hazardous substance management.
· Oversee occupational health requirements where applicable.
· Promote employee wellbeing initiatives and health awareness programmes.
Environmental Management
· Ensure compliance with environmental legislation, permits, and waste management regulations across all sites.
· Oversee hazardous waste handling, interceptor cleaning, spill response procedures, and environmental protection controls.
· Develop, maintain, and test environmental emergency response plans.
· Lead spill response exercises and environmental incident investigations.
· Coordinate waste collections, storage compliance, and environmental documentation.
· Drive sustainability initiatives and continuous environmental improvements.
Quality Management
· Own and maintain the company's integrated SHEQ Management System.
· Develop and maintain quality management systems, policies, and operational procedures.
· Ensure robust document control processes are implemented and maintained.
· Lead internal audits and coordinate external audits where required.
· Chair and contribute to Management Review meetings.
· Investigate non-conformances and implement corrective and preventative actions.
· Drive continuous improvement initiatives across all sites.
Transport SHEQ Compliance Support
· Work closely with the Transport Manager to ensure SHEQ compliance across fleet and driver activities.
· Support compliance with ADR requirements, safe loading and unloading procedures, and driver safety standards.
· Assist with transport-related incident investigations.
· Promote a strong safety culture within the transport team.
Emergency Planning & Major Incident Management
· Develop, maintain, and test emergency response and business continuity plans.
· Lead emergency drills including fire and spill scenarios.
· Act as SHEQ lead during major incidents and coordinate post-incident investigation, reporting, and corrective action implementation.
Operational Cover & Depot Maintenance Support
· Provide cover for the Depot Maintenance Assistant during periods of annual leave, sickness, or absence.
· Oversee depot checks, tank and pipework inspections, and depot infrastructure monitoring during cover periods.
· Carry out small hands-on maintenance tasks and general depot upkeep where required.
· Manage records for depot inspections
· Manage depots action tracker ensuring all tasks are recorded, monitored and actioned.
· Ensure stock levels of PPE, spill kits, lubricants, additives, and consumables are monitored, issue recorded and reordered where necessary.
· Working with the Depot Maintenance Support manage work permits for maintenance tasks and coordinate external contractors when required.
· Support vehicle movements, depot gate checks, and operational assistance where necessary.
· Maintain accurate maintenance, inspection, and compliance records.
· Act as the first point of contact for depot-related issues in the absence of the Depot Maintenance Assistant.
Contractor & Supplier Governance
· Develop and maintain contractor and supplier SHEQ approval and monitoring processes.
· Ensure contractor pre-qualification, inductions, RAMS approval, and performance monitoring are completed.
· Review contractor performance and ensure compliance with company standards.
Training & Safety Culture
· Develop and deliver SHEQ training, inductions, and H&S toolbox talks across all departments.
· Promote a proactive and positive safety culture across depots and transport operations.
· Support managers and supervisors in enforcing policies and standards.
· Prepare sites for inspections and audits.
Continuous Improvement & Reporting
· Provide regular SHEQ performance reports to senior management and directors.
· Identify areas for operational improvement and recommend practical solutions.
· Support SHEQ budgeting, including training, compliance, maintenance, and improvement projects.
· Maintain accurate compliance registers and statutory documentation.
· Undertake any other reasonable duties in line with the responsibilities of the role.
Skills & Experience:
· Proven experience in a SHEQ role preferably within fuel, transport, logistics, or multi-site operations.
· Strong knowledge of UK health & safety and environmental legislation.
· Experience audits, regulatory inspections, and incident investigations.
· Experience managing integrated management systems (ISO experience advantageous).
· Strong leadership and influencing skills.
· Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
· Ability to work independently across multiple locations.
· Full UK driving licence required (clean).
Reporting Structure:
· Reports to: Transport Manager / Directors
· Manages: Depot Supervisors (SHEQ compliance), Drivers (SHEQ adherence)
Location & Travel:
· Based primarily at Bridgwater but responsible for all depots.
· Frequent travel between all Western Fuel depot locations.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £38,000.00-£42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* On-site parking
* Private medical insurance
Work Location: In person