Head of Health and Safety

Head of Health and Safety required in Glasgow by a large manufacturer.

I am assisting a large manufacturing client of mine with the process of securing a Head of Health & Safety in their Glasgow operation.

Role Purpose:

As a member of the group’s Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Health & Safety is responsible for devising, implementing and leading the company’s Health & Safety strategy, driving a culture where Health & Safety is front of mind with everyone (employees, contractors and visitors) every day, and in which everyone feels responsible, capable, and empowered to take action to protect their own Health & Safety as well that of their work colleagues. Leading a team of three Health & Safety advisors, as well as Health & Safety committees across their sites in Scotland, the role is very hands-on but equally strategic in the development and implementation of initiatives for the continual development of their Health & Safety culture and performance across the site.

Key Accountabilities:

1. Ensure that the business operates in compliance with all relevant Health & Safety legislation, through the development, refinement, and management of its safety management system, policies, and procedures, that ensure the Health & Safety of all group employees, contractors, and visitors.
2. In collaboration with peers in the Senior Leadership Team, develop a culture across all locations of the business, and across all levels of the business, where Health & Safety is front of mind with everyone (employees, contractors, and visitors) every day, in which everyone feels responsible, capable, and empowered to take action to protect their own Health & Safety as well that of their work colleagues.
3. Use all available communication channels to promote this culture.
4. Identify and address capability and knowledge gaps, within the Head of Health & Safety’s direct team as well as directors, managers, team leaders and supervisors across the business, to enable the whole business to feel responsible, empowered, and capable in driving improvements to protect their own Health & Safety as well as that of their work colleagues.
5. Take forward and further develop the effectiveness of existing quarterly Health & Safety Committee meetings across the business.
6. Take forward Health & Safety continuous improvement actions resulting from the Health & Safety 360 evaluation and roadmap and further develop same and better on an annual basis.
7. Refine existing Health & Safety metrics, to measure and drive continuous improvement, and report on these monthly to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and the board.
8. Evaluate all accidents, incidents, and near-misses, and develop and implement actions to mitigate the risk of their re-occurrence or their escalation into more serious incidents and accidents.

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

1. Chartered ISOH.
2. Qualified to NEBOSH Diploma/NVQ Level 5 Diploma level, with evidence of CPD (through IOSH) achievement as well as proven experience of working with and improving management systems.
3. Experience of ISO 45001 with auditing experience.
4. 5+ years of experience in similar roles with demonstrable success in leading a Health & Safety cultural transformation in a multi-location manufacturing business.
5. Demonstrable success in previous senior Health & Safety roles, in driving positive changes in Health & Safety culture, capability, empowerment, accountability, and practices.
6. Demonstrable success in developing and implementing meaningful Health & Safety KPI’s and their use in driving continuous improvement.
7. Demonstrable success in collaboration and influence, with peers and teams across all levels of the business, to develop capability, responsibility, and accountability.
8. Demonstrable experience in dealing with regulatory bodies, suppliers, and customers.
9. Demonstrable experience in Health & Safety communication with internal teams and external stakeholders.
10. Demonstrable leadership and line management skills with a coaching style that gets the best out of people focused on collaboration, continual improvement, personal and professional growth, and empowerment.
11. Strengths and motivation to work both hands-on and strategically, as well as both analytically and in the development and follow-through of actions plans.

Key Relationships:

CEO / COO / Operations Director / Group Tanning Operations & Hide Procurement Director / Head of Engineering / Operations Managers and Supervisors / HR Director

If you are a senior H&S individual who is used to operating at this level, or about to take this step into senior management with this international company, who is interested in joining a highly driven team – please contact me on the below details to discuss your current situation confidentially and if the role might be of interest.