Head Of Health And Safety

Head of Health, Safety & Environmental – UK & Ireland

Hybrid Working with UK & Ireland Travel

Competitive Basic salary + Company Car + bonus

An exciting opportunity to lead Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) across a multi-site manufacturing business.

Are you an experienced HSE leader looking for the opportunity to make a genuine impact within a growing manufacturing organisation?

VPK is seeking a commercially aware, hands-on and influential Head of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) to lead our HSE function across the UK and Ireland.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director - UK & Ireland, this is a senior leadership role with responsibility for developing and delivering a clear HSE strategy, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring the highest standards of safety, compliance and environmental performance across our operations.

We are looking for an individual who can provide strategic leadership while remaining highly visible within the business; someone who is equally comfortable contributing at Board level as they are spending time on the factory floor, engaging with operational teams and driving meaningful change.

This is an excellent opportunity to shape the future of HSE within a dynamic and ambitious business, fostering a culture where safety, sustainability and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do.

The Opportunity

As Head of HS&E, you will be responsible for developing and delivering the UK & Ireland HS&E strategy, ensuring it is embedded consistently across the business and aligned with wider Group objectives.

You will lead and develop a team of site-based HS&E Managers, partnering closely with operational leaders to foster a proactive safety culture where accountability for health, safety and environmental performance is embraced at every level of the company.

This is far more than a compliance-focused role. We are looking for an individual who can influence behaviours, constructively challenge existing practices, drive sustainable change and play a key role in shaping the future of Health, Safety & Environment across VPK.

Success in this role will be measured not only by compliance and performance metrics, but also by your ability to engage, inspire and empower colleagues to make safety and environmental responsibility an integral part of how we operate.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice, guidance and support to the UK & Ireland senior leadership team.
• Lead, coach and develop site-based HSE Managers, ensuring consistent standards and performance across all locations.
• Work closely with Plant General Managers and operational teams to embed a positive, proactive safety culture.
• Drive continuous improvement in health, safety and environmental performance, identifying opportunities to strengthen existing processes and practices.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and company standards.
• Establish clear objectives, action plans and measurable KPIs to monitor and improve HSE performance.
• Oversee incident reporting, investigations, root cause analysis and the implementation of effective corrective and preventative actions.
• Support HSE audits, risk assessments, training programmes and compliance activities.
• Build strong relationships with external bodies, including regulatory authorities, insurers and other relevant stakeholders.
• Share best practice and provide HSE guidance across the wider VPK Group where required.

About You

We’re looking for a confident and credible HSE professional with a strong manufacturing background and the ability to influence people at every level of an organisation.

You'll be someone who enjoys being visible across sites, building relationships and working collaboratively to achieve results.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

• Significant Health & Safety experience within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Experience leading HSE activities and influencing safety performance across operational teams.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to coach, develop and motivate HSE professionals.
• A proven ability to develop and implement HSE strategies, improvement plans and initiatives.
• Excellent knowledge of health, safety and environmental legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Experience delivering IOSH Working Safely and Managing Safely training.
• Confidence communicating with senior leaders, operational teams and external regulatory bodies.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a practical, solutions-focused approach to managing risk.
• The ability to challenge constructively, influence change and gain buy-in from stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational, communication and relationship-building skills.

Qualifications

• A recognised professional Health & Safety qualification, ideally a NEBOSH Diploma, NVQ Level 6 or equivalent.
• A recognised Environmental qualification, ideally Certificate in Environmental Management.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Membership of a recognised environmental professional body would be advantageous.

Previous experience within the packaging industry would be beneficial, although we welcome applications from candidates with strong HSE leadership experience across other manufacturing sectors.

What Makes This Role Different?This is an opportunity to take on a highly visible leadership role within a well-established international manufacturing business.You will have the autonomy to shape and deliver the HS&E strategy across the UK and Ireland, influence senior leadership decision-making and work closely with operational teams to drive measurable improvements in performance, compliance and culture.You will also play a key role in developing and enhancing an established HS&E team, creating consistency, accountability and a culture of continuous improvement across multiple manufacturing sites. Whether you are already operating as a Head of HS&E or are an experienced Group HS&E Manager or Senior Health & Safety Manager ready to take the next step in your career, this represents an outstanding opportunity to make a significant impact within a growing and ambitious company.