Health & Safety Manager

Location: Penrith, Cumbria

Salary: Competitive DOE + Benefits
Hours: 45 Hours Per Week

Lead Safety. Drive Compliance. Make a Difference.

We are recruiting for an experienced Health & Safety Manager to join a well-established industrial processing operation based in Penrith. This is a key leadership position, responsible for developing and driving a strong safety culture across a busy manufacturing environment.

Reporting into the senior leadership team, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the highest standards of health, safety and regulatory compliance are maintained while supporting operational performance and continuous improvement.

This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive Health & Safety professional who enjoys being visible on site, influencing people at all levels, and delivering meaningful improvements in a fast-paced industrial setting.

Key Responsibilities

Health & Safety Leadership

• Lead and implement the site's health and safety strategy.
• Provide expert advice to senior management on risk management, compliance and safety improvements.
• Promote a positive safety culture through workforce engagement, safety tours and toolbox talks.
• Drive near-miss reporting, behavioural safety initiatives and continuous improvement activities.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all relevant UK Health & Safety legislation.
• Maintain health and safety management systems, policies and procedures.
• Develop and review risk assessments, safe systems of work and method statements.
• Coordinate internal audits, inspections and external regulatory visits.
• Ensure statutory inspections and compliance activities are completed on time.

Operational Safety

• Manage and reduce risks associated with manufacturing operations, maintenance activities and site infrastructure.
• Oversee safe working practices relating to:
  • Machinery and equipment
  • Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO)
  • Confined spaces
  • Hot work
  • Working at height
  • Lifting operations
  • Pressure systems
• Ensure effective management of COSHH, occupational health risks and workplace hazards.

Incident Investigation & Continuous Improvement

• Lead investigations into accidents, incidents and near misses.
• Identify root causes and implement preventative actions.
• Monitor safety performance trends and produce management reports.
• Drive corrective actions through to completion and verification.

Contractor & Project Safety

• Manage contractor approval, induction and performance monitoring processes.
• Review RAMS and permit-to-work requirements.
• Support engineering teams with maintenance shutdowns, installations and capital projects.
• Ensure safety is incorporated into project planning and change management activities.

Training & Safety Culture

• Maintain training and competency records across the site.
• Deliver coaching and guidance to managers and supervisors.
• Support employee engagement through safety campaigns and consultation activities.
• Promote continuous learning and workforce involvement in safety initiatives.

Emergency Preparedness

• Maintain site emergency response procedures.
• Coordinate emergency drills and evacuation exercises.
• Manage first aid provisions and emergency equipment requirements.
• Support occupational health initiatives and health surveillance programmes.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety or equivalent.
• IOSH Membership, ideally Chartered or working towards Chartered status.
• Previous Health & Safety management experience within:
  • Manufacturing
  • Industrial processing
  • Engineering
  • Heavy industry
  • Production environments
• Strong knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation.
• Experience conducting audits, investigations and risk assessments.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders from shop floor through to senior management.

Desirable

• Experience within processing, waste management, food production, chemical, energy or continuous manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of:
  • ISO 45001
  • DSEAR
  • Machinery safety
  • Pressure systems
  • Process safety
  • Combustible dust risks
• Experience engaging with regulators, insurers and external auditors.

About You

You will be:

• A visible and hands-on safety leader.
• Confident challenging unsafe behaviours and practices.
• Highly organised and detail orientated.
• An excellent communicator who can build strong relationships across all levels of the business.
• Analytical with a strong continuous improvement mindset.
• Passionate about creating safer workplaces and driving positive change.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• Permanent, full-time position.
• Opportunity to shape and influence site-wide safety strategy.
• Career development within a successful and growing organisation.
• Supportive leadership team and collaborative working environment.

Interested?

To apply or find out more about this opportunity, please contact Stafforce Recruitment Carlisle today.

All applications will be handled in the strictest confidence. Due to the confidential nature of this vacancy, details of the employer will be provided during the recruitment process.

Ref Code: S09