HSE Manager
Zest
Food Manufacturing | London | Standalone Leadership Role with Strategic Influence
Some HSE roles are about ticking boxes.
Others give you the opportunity to shape the future of a site.
This is one of those opportunities.
We're exclusively supporting a growing and well-invested food manufacturing business in London to appoint a Health, Safety & Environmental Manager. This is a standalone position reporting directly to the Site Director, offering the autonomy, visibility, and support to build a progressive HSE culture that goes beyond compliance.
You'll play a pivotal role in influencing behaviours, embedding best practice, and driving a proactive safety and environmental agenda across a fast-paced manufacturing operation.
If you're passionate about creating meaningful cultural change and believe the best safety standards are built through engagement and leadership - this could be the role for you.
The Opportunity
This is a highly visible role where you'll take full ownership of Health, Safety & Environmental performance on site.
You'll work closely with the Senior Leadership Team and operational managers to create an environment where safety is genuinely valued, continuously improved, and embedded into everyday decision-making.
From leading management systems and audits to coaching teams on the factory floor, you'll have the platform to make a lasting impact.
Key Responsibilities
Culture, Engagement & Leadership
Drive a positive behavioural safety culture across the site
Build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, from shop floor to senior leadership
Lead safety conversations, observations, and coaching initiatives
Promote accountability and engagement in HSE best practice throughout the operation
Act as a trusted advisor to operational teams on safe and practical ways of working
HSE Systems & Compliance
Develop, implement, and maintain HSE management systems aligned to ISO 45001 and ISO 14001
Manage the site risk assessment programme, ensuring actions are completed effectively
Oversee environmental aspects and impacts, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement
Ensure full compliance with UK HSE legislation and internal company standards
Keep up to date with industry developments and benchmark best practice externally
Incident Management & Investigation
Lead incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action processes
Ensure preventative actions are meaningful, sustainable, and embedded operationally
Support managers in improving incident prevention and reporting standards
Act as the main point of contact for external auditors and regulatory bodies
Audits, Reporting & Performance
Lead internal and external HSE audits and maintain audit readiness across site
Monitor and report on HSE KPIs, trends, and improvement plans
Ensure non-conformances are addressed thoroughly and effectively
Provide clear and insightful reporting to the Senior Leadership Team
Training & Capability Development
Identify HSE training needs across the business
Deliver engaging inductions, toolbox talks, and practical training sessions
Develop confidence and capability within teams to take ownership of safety
Support managers in building strong day-to-day HSE standards
Continuous Improvement & Projects
Provide HSE support for site projects and operational improvement initiatives
Ensure safety and environmental considerations are embedded into business decisions
Contribute to wider site development and future growth plans
About You
You'll be a confident and credible HSE professional who enjoys operating in a standalone role and influencing across all levels of a manufacturing environment.
We're looking for:
Experience within food manufacturing, beverage, or FMCG environments
Strong working knowledge of ISO 45001 and ISO 14001
NEBOSH General Certificate (essential)
NEBOSH Diploma (or working towards)
Environmental qualification such as IEMA (desirable)
Experience leading audits, investigations, and cultural improvement initiatives
Equally important is your approach:
Hands-on and visible leadership style
Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
The confidence to challenge constructively and influence behavioural change
Organised, proactive, and detail-oriented
Passionate about continuous improvement rather than minimum compliance
Why Join?
This is an opportunity to join a business that genuinely values Health, Safety & Environmental performance and recognises the importance of strong site leadership.
You'll have the autonomy to shape the HSE agenda, influence culture at every level, and build long-term improvements within a supportive and forward-thinking manufacturing environment.
If you're looking for a role where you can make a real impact - we'd love to hear from you.
For more information, please contact Shaf Islam on (url removed)
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