Responsibilities:
Responsible for leading and managing all aspects of Health, Safety, and Environmental compliance and strategy across the business. Holds ownership for the development, implementation, and continual improvement of the company’s ISO 45001 (Health & Safety) and ISO 14001 (Environmental) management systems.
Provide expert guidance to all levels of the organisation, ensures legal compliance, leads audits and investigations, and drives a proactive, positive EHS culture across the factory and wider business.
Purpose of the position:
To act as the organisation’s senior EHS professional, providing leadership, direction, and management of all EHS activities. The EHS Manager ensures the business maintains high standards of safety and environmental performance, meets all legal and regulatory requirements, and continually improves operational risk management.
The position leads and develops the EHS Officer/Coordinator (where applicable) and works closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, HR, and Senior Management to ensure safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible operations.
Task:
* Lead, maintain, and continuously improve the ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems, ensuring successful surveillance and certification audits.
* Oversee, approve, and regularly review all risk assessments (including COSHH, PUWER, manual handling, environmental risks).
* Lead root-cause investigations for incidents, near misses, and non-conformities; ensure effective corrective and preventative actions are implemented.
* Conduct and lead internal EHS audits, inspections, and compliance reviews.
* Manage statutory compliance including RIDDOR, DSEAR, LOLER, PUWER and environmental permit obligations.
* Lead contractor management and control: approve RAMS, verify competence, supervise high-risk work, and ensure adherence to safe systems of work.
* Develop and deliver EHS training, inductions, toolbox talks, and competency programmes.
* Maintain accurate EHS documentation, records, metrics, KPIs, and management reports for Directors and the Advisory Board.
* Manage environmental responsibilities including waste control, spill response, chemical storage, emissions, resource efficiency, and environmental improvement initiatives.
* Lead emergency preparedness: maintain emergency procedures, coordinate drills, and ensure readiness of equipment and trained responders.
* Promote a strong, proactive safety culture across all levels of the organisation, driving employee engagement and behavioural safety.
* Provide expert advice during engineering projects, installations, maintenance shutdowns, and significant changes, ensuring risk is managed from design to execution.
* Build strong relationships with regulators, certification bodies, insurers, and external auditors.
* Mentor and support the EHS Officer/Coordinator and internal EHS champions.
* Support legal and insurance claim processes by investigating allegations, gathering and preserving evidence, preparing accurate reports, and liaising with insurers, solicitors, and internal stakeholders to support or refute claims made against the company.
Requirements:
* NEBOSH General Certificate.
* Significant experience in a senior EHS role within a manufacturing, engineering, or automotive environment.
* Proven experience managing ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems.
* Strong knowledge of UK H&S and environmental legislation and compliance frameworks.
* Demonstrable experience leading audits, investigations, and risk management processes.
* Excellent leadership, communication, and influencing skills, capable of engaging all levels of the workforce.
* Strong organisational, analytical, and reporting abilities.
Desirable:
* Lead Auditor qualification (ISO 45001 and/or ISO 14001).
* NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent Level 6 qualification), or working toward completion.
* Graduate or Chartered Membership of IOSH (GradIOSH/CMIOSH).
* Experience supporting machinery installation, capital projects, and engineering risk management.
* Experience with continuous improvement, behavioural safety, or lean methodologies