Job Description
We're exclusively partnering with a rapidly expanding manufacturer in Suffolk that is entering an exciting phase of growth and operational scale.
This is a business that has built a strong reputation for quality, operational excellence and innovation, and with significant investment underway, they are now strengthening their leadership team to support the next stage of expansion.
At the heart of that journey is Health, Safety and Environmental leadership.
They are looking for an HSE Manager who can shape safety culture, build robust systems and support sustainable growth across a busy manufacturing environment. This isn't a purely advisory role - it's an opportunity to lead from the front, influence the entire organisation and build frameworks that will scale as the business continues to grow.
You'll join the Site Leadership Team, working closely with Operations and Quality leaders to ensure that safety, compliance and environmental responsibility remain central as production, people and processes evolve.
For the right individual, this is a chance to build something meaningful and leave a lasting impact on a growing manufacturing business.
The Role
This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for leading Environmental, Health & Safety strategy at the company's primary manufacturing site while developing systems that can support future site expansion.
You will take ownership of compliance, risk management, cultural engagement and environmental performance, ensuring that HSE is embedded into the daily rhythm of the operation.
Key Responsibilities
Site HSE Leadership
Act as the competent person for Health & Safety under UK legislation
Ensure compliance with all relevant HSE regulations and statutory requirements
Lead risk assessments, COSHH assessments, PUWER compliance and safe systems of work
Drive incident investigations and root cause analysis, ensuring meaningful corrective actions
Manage accident reporting, preventative measures and safety improvements
Coordinate external inspections and regulatory audits
Oversee environmental compliance including waste management and emissions control
Building a Scalable HSE Management System
Develop and implement a structured HSE management framework aligned to ISO principles
Establish a clear operational cadence for safety management across the site
Build dashboards and data-led reporting for leadership visibility
Create standardised documentation, templates and risk frameworks
Implement audit programmes to support long-term compliance and scalability
Safety Culture & Engagement
Champion a proactive, positive safety culture across the business
Lead toolbox talks, safety briefings and workforce engagement activities
Support managers in taking ownership of safety within their departments
Develop training plans and competency frameworks to strengthen capability
Operational Integration
Work closely with Operations and Quality teams to embed HSE into production activities
Support new equipment installations, process changes and layout improvements
Participate in validation, change control and continuous improvement initiatives
Ensure the site continues to grow safely and sustainably
Environmental & Sustainability Focus
Drive initiatives to reduce waste, improve recycling and lower environmental impact
Monitor energy usage and environmental performance
Support sustainability targets and regulatory environmental requirements
What We're Looking For
This role would suit an experienced HSE professional who thrives in fast-paced manufacturing environments and enjoys building structure while remaining close to operations.
NEBOSH General Certificate (minimum)
Strong knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation
Experience within regulated or complex manufacturing environments (such as medical, food, automotive, chemical or similar)
Proven experience leading incident investigations and root cause analysis
Experience building or improving structured HSE management systems
Strong leadership and communication skills across shop floor to senior leadership
Experience with ISO 14001 and/or ISO 45001 frameworks
Exposure to multi-site operations or international businesses
Experience within high-growth or scaling manufacturing organisations
Why This Role Stands Out
This is more than a typical HSE position.
You'll be joining a business that is scaling quickly, investing heavily in its operations and building leadership capability to support that growth.
For the right person, this role offers:
A seat at the leadership table within a growing manufacturing site
The opportunity to build systems and culture from the ground up
Genuine influence over how safety and environmental standards evolve as the company grows
Strong career progression as the organisation continues to expand
If you're an HSE professional who enjoys building structure, influencing culture and being close to the action on the manufacturing floor, this is an opportunity to play a key role in the next chapter of an ambitious business.
For more information, contact Shaf Islam on (url removed)
As you know over here at Zest we like to do things properly and always want to keep you, the candidate in the loop. Applying to this 'one of a kind' role you give Zest permission to hold your information. If you want to know more about how Zest look after your personal information please visit our privacy policy on the website (url removed)
This is a business that has built a strong reputation for quality, operational excellence and innovation, and with significant investment underway, they are now strengthening their leadership team to support the next stage of expansion.
At the heart of that journey is Health, Safety and Environmental leadership.
They are looking for an HSE Manager who can shape safety culture, build robust systems and support sustainable growth across a busy manufacturing environment. This isn't a purely advisory role - it's an opportunity to lead from the front, influence the entire organisation and build frameworks that will scale as the business continues to grow.
You'll join the Site Leadership Team, working closely with Operations and Quality leaders to ensure that safety, compliance and environmental responsibility remain central as production, people and processes evolve.
For the right individual, this is a chance to build something meaningful and leave a lasting impact on a growing manufacturing business.
The Role
This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for leading Environmental, Health & Safety strategy at the company's primary manufacturing site while developing systems that can support future site expansion.
You will take ownership of compliance, risk management, cultural engagement and environmental performance, ensuring that HSE is embedded into the daily rhythm of the operation.
Key Responsibilities
Site HSE Leadership
Act as the competent person for Health & Safety under UK legislation
Ensure compliance with all relevant HSE regulations and statutory requirements
Lead risk assessments, COSHH assessments, PUWER compliance and safe systems of work
Drive incident investigations and root cause analysis, ensuring meaningful corrective actions
Manage accident reporting, preventative measures and safety improvements
Coordinate external inspections and regulatory audits
Oversee environmental compliance including waste management and emissions control
Building a Scalable HSE Management System
Develop and implement a structured HSE management framework aligned to ISO principles
Establish a clear operational cadence for safety management across the site
Build dashboards and data-led reporting for leadership visibility
Create standardised documentation, templates and risk frameworks
Implement audit programmes to support long-term compliance and scalability
Safety Culture & Engagement
Champion a proactive, positive safety culture across the business
Lead toolbox talks, safety briefings and workforce engagement activities
Support managers in taking ownership of safety within their departments
Develop training plans and competency frameworks to strengthen capability
Operational Integration
Work closely with Operations and Quality teams to embed HSE into production activities
Support new equipment installations, process changes and layout improvements
Participate in validation, change control and continuous improvement initiatives
Ensure the site continues to grow safely and sustainably
Environmental & Sustainability Focus
Drive initiatives to reduce waste, improve recycling and lower environmental impact
Monitor energy usage and environmental performance
Support sustainability targets and regulatory environmental requirements
What We're Looking For
This role would suit an experienced HSE professional who thrives in fast-paced manufacturing environments and enjoys building structure while remaining close to operations.
NEBOSH General Certificate (minimum)
Strong knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation
Experience within regulated or complex manufacturing environments (such as medical, food, automotive, chemical or similar)
Proven experience leading incident investigations and root cause analysis
Experience building or improving structured HSE management systems
Strong leadership and communication skills across shop floor to senior leadership
Experience with ISO 14001 and/or ISO 45001 frameworks
Exposure to multi-site operations or international businesses
Experience within high-growth or scaling manufacturing organisations
Why This Role Stands Out
This is more than a typical HSE position.
You'll be joining a business that is scaling quickly, investing heavily in its operations and building leadership capability to support that growth.
For the right person, this role offers:
A seat at the leadership table within a growing manufacturing site
The opportunity to build systems and culture from the ground up
Genuine influence over how safety and environmental standards evolve as the company grows
Strong career progression as the organisation continues to expand
If you're an HSE professional who enjoys building structure, influencing culture and being close to the action on the manufacturing floor, this is an opportunity to play a key role in the next chapter of an ambitious business.
For more information, contact Shaf Islam on (url removed)
As you know over here at Zest we like to do things properly and always want to keep you, the candidate in the loop. Applying to this 'one of a kind' role you give Zest permission to hold your information. If you want to know more about how Zest look after your personal information please visit our privacy policy on the website (url removed)
About Zest