Interim Health & Safety Manager

Interim Health & Safety & Facilities Manager - Semi-Automated Distribution Centre Operations
Location: Coventry (on-site, 5 days/week)
Day Rate: Very Competitive (Inside IR35 / Umbrella or FTC PAYE options available)
Contract: Interim - immediate start, full-time
The Opportunity
A pivotal opportunity to immediately take ownership of the health, safety and facilities function at a major semi-automated distribution centre. This site processes over 150,000 items daily, supporting a fast-paced, sustainability-driven business operating at scale.
The leadership team is committed to cultural transformation, and this role is key to shifting from compliance-led thinking to a proactive, behaviour-based safety culture. You''ll work closely with site operations, automation engineering, facilities contractors and senior management to embed best practice and raise standards throughout the operation.
Your Responsibilities
- Lead all aspects of Health & Safety and Facilities across a large-scale logistics operation.
- Conduct an in-depth audit of existing H&S systems, documentation, culture and training.
- Design and implement a behaviour-based safety programme across the site workforce.
- Drive engagement and accountability through coaching, team training and leadership influence.
- Manage incident investigations, RIDDOR compliance, root cause analysis and reporting.
- Oversee all hard and soft facilities services, including maintenance, cleaning, HVAC, contractors and utilities.
- Ensure robust compliance with internal and external audits, insurance requirements and site safety policies.
- Support interaction with the automation engineering team to ensure safe maintenance and upgrade activity.
- Monitor facilities spend and contribute to the CapEx and site improvement agenda.
- Build cross-functional relationships to ensure H&S and Facilities are strategic enablers, not just cost centres.
About You
- You have strong H&S leadership experience within logistics, distribution, warehousing or manufacturing.
- You''re hands-on, visible, and comfortable leading change through influence, credibility and practical support.
- You''ve delivered cultural transformation in safety - embedding habits, not just processes.
- You''re equally confident on the floor with shift managers as you are presenting KPIs to senior leaders.
- You have experience managing contractors and understanding permit-to-work protocols.
- Familiarity with automation environments, conveyors or engineering interactions is a plus.
Required Qualifications & Competencies
- NEBOSH Certificate (minimum); Diploma or equivalent preferred
- Strong knowledge of UK H&S legislation and auditing practices
- Experience managing facilities and site services in a complex operational setting
- Data-driven approach to managing KPIs such as near misses, LTIFR, training compliance
- Able to coach, influence and uplift team behaviours at every level of the organisation
- Knowledge of behavioural safety programmes and change management principles
The Site
- Located in Coventry
- 100,000 sq. ft semi-automated warehouse and fulfilment centre
- Processes c.150,000 items daily
- Growing team with active investment in technology, systems and people
- On-site only role - hybrid working is not available due to the nature of responsibilities
Next Steps
If you''re an experienced Health & Safety professional available immediately for an interim assignment and passionate about delivering safety culture change in logistics or warehousing, please submit your CV and a short note summarising your relevant experience and availability.