Job Description:

HSE Manager – Manufacturing – Essex – £65,000 - £75,000 + Benefits Package

Principal People are delighted to be working exclusively with a leading manufacturing organisation to recruit a HSE Manager.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Health and Safety professional to join an established manufacturing business and take ownership of the site's Environmental, Health, Safety and Quality management systems.

Reporting directly to the Plant Director and a member of the senior leadership team, the successful candidate will lead the development and maintenance of HSEQ standards, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, corporate requirements and ISO standards. This is a varied, hands-on role with the opportunity to influence operational performance, strengthen the safety culture and drive continuous improvement across safety, environmental and quality functions.

The key duties include:

• Leading and maintaining the site's, Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality management systems, ensuring compliance with legislation, company standards and ISO requirements.
• Promoting a strong safety-first culture, working closely with employees and leadership teams to improve engagement, accountability and HSEQ performance.
• Developing and implementing HSEQ compliance plans, including audits, inspections, testing programmes and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Leading investigations into incidents, non-conformances and customer claims, ensuring effective root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
• Monitoring HSEQ performance data, identifying trends and implementing preventative measures to reduce risk and improve operational performance.
• Coordinating HSEQ training and competency development, providing coaching and support to employees and management teams.
• Managing emergency preparedness and response processes, alongside preparing regulatory and corporate reports for senior leadership.
• Supporting internal and external audits, ensuring findings are addressed and corrective actions are closed out effectively.

Why should you apply for the role?

• An opportunity to take ownership of the HSEQ function within an established manufacturing business.
• A varied role covering Health & Safety, Environmental and Quality, with genuine scope to influence site performance.
• Report directly to the Plant Director, providing exposure to senior leadership and operational decision-making.
• The opportunity to develop and improve existing management systems, standards and processes.
• Play a key role in strengthening the site's safety culture and driving continuous improvement.
• Take ownership of HSEQ initiatives and deliver measurable improvements across the operation.
• A fully site-based position where you can make a visible impact across the business.

We would love to see CVs from people who have:

• A NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.
• Minimum five years' experience in a Health and Safety or HSEQ role within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge and experience of ISO management systems, ISO 45001, 14001 or 9001.
• Strong leadership, coaching and influencing skills, with the ability to engage employees and senior stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, communication and problem-solving skills.