H&S Manager

The Role

We’re looking for a Head of Health & Safety who’s excited to bring their skills and ideas to the table. In this role, you’ll be accountable for setting, leading, and embedding an exceptional Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) culture for Damm UK. This role provides both strategic leadership and operational ownership of all H&S matters, ensuring full legal compliance, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement across the site and field.

As the most senior H&S professional in the UK, the role will act as the trusted advisor to the leadership team, while maintaining a strong on‑site presence and a practical, solutions‑focused approach.

• Own and deliver the UK Health & Safety strategy aligned to business objectives and operational realities.
• Act as the UK subject‑matter expert on Health & Safety legislation and best practice.
• Champion a proactive safety culture where H&S is embedded in everyday decision‑making.
• Advise and challenge senior leaders on risk, compliance, and continuous improvement.

• Ensure full compliance with UK H&S legislation, including but not limited to:
  • Health and Safety at Work Act
  • COSHH, PUWER, LOLER, DSEAR
  • Fire safety and environmental requirements
• Maintain and continuously improve site H&S policies, procedures, and systems.
• Lead internal and external audits, inspections, and regulatory visits.
• Manage all statutory reporting, documentation, and legal registers.
• Identify, assess, and control H&S risks across brewery operations and field‑based activities, including production, engineering, logistics, warehousing and sales.
• Lead risk assessments, safe systems of work, and permit‑to‑work processes.
• Oversee contractor H&S management for on‑site works and maintenance activities.
• Ensure robust incident reporting, investigation, and root‑cause analysis.

• Provide hands‑on support and coaching to managers and teams to improve H&S capability.
• Design and deliver H&S training and toolbox talks appropriate to site risks.
• Build strong relationships with frontline teams, trade unions and safety representatives.
• Lead site safety committees and forums.

• Develop, track, and report on key H&S performance metrics and trends.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce incidents and near misses.
• Share lessons learned and best practice across functions.
• Manage and continuously improve emergency response and crisis management plans.

• Support and collaborate with site functions to ensure effective implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of HACCP systems and core food safety principles.

• Graduate Member of IOSH (or working towards Chartered Membership).
• Qualified BRCGS Auditor (or equivalent recognised auditing certification).
• Proven experience in Health & Safety management, ideally within a manufacturing or operational environment.
• Experience with in the food industry, quality, or FMCG sectors, with strong understanding of food‑safety culture and operational practices.

• Exceptional communication skills, able to influence and engage colleagues at all levels.
• Proactive, solutions‑focused, and highly attentive to detail.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, with a genuine interest in legislation, regulation, and industry best practice.
• Confident in persuading and negotiating with leaders and managers to drive adoption of safety standards and behaviours.
• “Can‑do” attitude and a practical mindset that supports safe and efficient operations.
• Strong ability to interpret, apply, and communicate Health & Safety legislation, guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Skilled in problem‑solving, incident investigation, and root‑cause analysis.
• Capable of prioritising multiple tasks and managing workload effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
• Computer literacy, with competence in reporting, documentation management, and safety system software.
• Ability to develop, implement, and monitor safety improvement initiatives across operational teams.