SHE Manager

Hays Health & Safety are excited to be supporting a leading, high-hazard manufacturing organisation based in the Chester area looking to appoint an experienced SHE Manager to lead all aspects of Safety, Health and Environment across a complex COMAH-regulated site.

This is a senior leadership role, sitting as part of the site management team, with full responsibility for process safety, environmental compliance, occupational health, and the development of a strong, accountable safety culture.

The role:

You will take ownership of the site's overall SHE strategy, ensuring compliance, continuous improvement, and the safe operation of a high-risk manufacturing environment. A key focus will be maintaining the integrity of process safety systems and preventing major accident hazards.

Key areas of responsibility include:

Leading and maintaining the site's Process Safety Management system, including ownership of COMAH documentation and safety reports
Acting as the primary point of contact for regulatory bodies including the HSE, Environment Agency, and local authorities
Partnering closely with engineering and operational teams on projects, providing technical SHE guidance across design, hazard studies, and risk reduction
Ensuring full compliance with UK SHE legislation and alignment with industry best practice
Driving a strong safety culture across site, embedding accountability at all levels and promoting a proactive approach to risk management
Leading continuous improvement initiatives across safety, environmental performance, occupational health, and emergency response
Monitoring and benchmarking SHE performance through audits, KPIs, and reporting, identifying opportunities for improvement
Overseeing and maintaining integrated management systems, including ISO 14001, 45001 and related standards
Providing expert SHE advice and coaching to stakeholders across the business
Developing and mentoring a small SHE team, supporting their professional growth
Representing SHE at site leadership level, ensuring it remains a core operational priority

What we're looking for:

This role will suit an experienced SHE leader with a strong technical foundation in process safety and a proven track record within high-hazard environments.

Key requirements:

Demonstrable experience within an Upper Tier COMAH site or similar high-risk industry
Strong expertise in process safety, including hazard analysis, fire/explosion risk, and major hazard control
In-depth knowledge of UK health & safety and environmental legislation and its practical application
Experience leading audits, management systems, and regulatory inspections
Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels
A proactive, solutions-focused approach with a passion for driving cultural change and continuous improvement

The opportunity:

This is a high-impact role offering the chance to shape SHE strategy within a technically complex and well-invested site. You'll play a key role in influencing operational performance, supporting business-critical projects, and driving a positive safety culture.

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