SHE Manager

THE ROLE

The SHE Manager is responsible for ensuring full business compliance with safety, health and environmental standards, embedding a proactive, safety-first culture across the organisation and maintaining facilities that provide a safe, compliant and well-controlled working environment.

Acting as a highly visible and hands-on member of the Management Team, the role provides direct operational support to the business, leads on accident, incident and near-miss investigation, environmental performance control and safe systems of work, while ensuring all policies, procedures and standard operating practices remain legally compliant and effective.

In parallel, the role acts as the business’s SHE standard bearer and technical authority, establishing robust systems, governance and assurance frameworks that enable managers and supervisors to own and manage safety within their areas of responsibility, while maintaining accurate, auditable SHE records to support inspections, audits, customer compliance and regulatory requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as the business’s principal SHE authority, standard bearer and subject matter expert, providing visible leadership and technical governance.
• Establish, maintain and continuously improve the SHE Management System in line with ISO 45001 and relevant safety standards.
• Define, implement and assure frameworks for risk assessments, COSHH, Permit to Work, contractor safety and Management of Change (MoC).
• Verify and assure that operational managers own and complete risk assessments and safety controls, without removing accountability from the line.
• Foster and embed a strong “SHE First” culture, where safety and environmental protection are recognised as leadership responsibilities.
• Establish and maintain a robust Process Safety Management (PSM) framework suitable for a chemical and high-risk manufacturing environment.
• Lead and coordinate HAZOPs, process hazard identification and high-risk task assessments.
• Own governance for DSEAR where applicable.
• Lead and govern the Management of Change (MoC) process for all plant, process, chemical, equipment and layout changes.
• Govern all accident, near-miss and dangerous occurrence investigations, ensuring root cause analysis, embedded learning and verified closure of preventative actions.
• Set, monitor and report on SHE performance KPIs, including near misses, accident rates, environmental breaches and audit findings, producing regular dashboards and Board reports.
• Act as the organisation’s accountable lead for environmental protection, including effluent and water treatment compliance, waste management, emissions and energy controls.
• Ensure full compliance with environmental permits, hazardous and non-hazardous waste regulations and Duty of Care requirements, representing the business with the Environment Agency and external regulators as required.
• Lead and coordinate all external regulatory inspections, customer audits and ISO 14001, 45001 / SHE audits, acting as the formal SHE representative.
• Define and govern statutory, role-based and refresher SHE training, lead behavioural safety initiatives, and provide SHE governance for contractor safety, transport safety, PPE, First Aid compliance and occupational health controls.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

Expert knowledge

• UK SHE legislation (H&S + Environmental)
• COSHH, REACH, CLP
• Process Safety Management (PSM)
• HAZOP / Hazard Studies
• DSEAR & ATEX
• Management of Change (MoC)
• Effluent & water treatment compliance
• Hazardous & non-hazardous waste regulations

Working knowledge

• Environmental permitting & EA engagement
• Audit & regulatory inspection leadership
• ISO 14001/ 45001 Environmental Systems
• Digital SHE reporting systems

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• NEBOSH General or Diploma
• Minimum 3–5 years in SHE role within chemical / manufacturing environment
• Demonstrable experience managing water treatment plants or effluent treatment systems
• Hazardous waste management experience
• ISO 14001/ 45001 implementation & maintenance
• High attention to detail with ability to identify risks and implement preventive actions
• Proven ability to record, analyse, and present accurate compliance information
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written), with ability to influence and engage at all levels

Desirable

• IOSH Managing Safely
• Degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Environmental Science, or a related technical discipline
• Regulator interaction (EA, council, water authority)
• COMAH (Lower Tier) exposure

CORE SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Leadership: Provide clear direction, resources, and guidance to promote a safety-first culture. Inspire and challenge colleagues at all levels to take ownership of health, safety, and environmental performance, recognising and rewarding safe behaviours and compliance.
• Customer Focus: Represent the business professionally with customers, auditors, and regulators. Build strong internal and external relationships, ensuring that safety and compliance requirements are fully understood, communicated, and consistently met.
• Quality Focus: Adopt a continuous improvement approach to H&S systems, processes, and procedures. Proactively manage compliance with internal standards and external legislation/accreditations (e.g., ISO 45001, ISO 14001), ensuring risks are controlled and KPIs achieved.
• Results Focus: Deliver H&S objectives and targets in a timely, effective, and cost-conscious manner. Analyse trends in leading and lagging indicators, identify root causes, and develop practical solutions to improve safety performance. Recognise and celebrate success while addressing underperformance.
• Health, Safety & Environment: Demonstrate visible commitment to maintaining a safe workplace and minimising environmental impact. Ensure all activities are legally compliant, risk assessed, and aligned to best practice. Promote accountability at all levels of the organisation.
• Innovation and Change: Champion new ideas, technologies and approaches to improve workplace safety, sustainability, and efficiency. Lead change initiatives that embed safer and more environmentally responsible ways of working.
• Communicating: Engage effectively with employees, management, regulators, and auditors through clear, open, and professional communication. Deliver concise reports, toolbox talks, and training that promote understanding and commitment to safety.
• Team working: Work collaboratively across departments and sites to embed a culture of shared responsibility for H&S. Respect and value diverse perspectives, adapting approach to meet the needs of different teams. Ensure confidentiality and professionalism in handling sensitive information.
• Developing Self and Others: Actively identify learning opportunities aligned to organisational needs. Share expertise in chemical safety, risk management, and environmental compliance through coaching and mentoring, while maintaining own professional development (e.g., CPD with IOSH/NEBOSH).

This job description is not exhaustive. The company expects employees to be flexible in their approach and to undertake reasonable extra duties that may be required.