Head of Health, Safety and Environment

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.

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.

• 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.

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…