Head of Health, Safety & Environment

Wrexham, UK | Global Manufacturing Group
Heavy Manufacturing / Foundry / Engineering
International remit | Executive leadership role

Highly competitive salary with Bonus, Car, Private medical

Morgan Ryder is partnering with a global, multi-site manufacturing group at a pivotal point in its journey. Following a period without dedicated senior HSE leadership on site, the organisation is now making a clear and deliberate investment in Health, Safety & Environment by appointing a Head of HSE to rebuild, strengthen, and future-proof its systems.

This is a standout opportunity for a senior HSE leader who thrives on building structure from the ground up, driving change, and embedding best practice within complex, high-risk manufacturing environments.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will take ownership of the full HSE agenda, establishing robust systems, standards, and behaviours where they need to be rebuilt, refreshed, or elevated. You will be instrumental in moving the business from reactive compliance to a proactive, mature, and sustainable HSE culture.

This role requires a visible, hands-on leader who enjoys assessing current-state risk, setting clear direction, and leading implementation through strong engagement with operational teams across the UK and India.

Key Responsibilities

• Rebuild, implement, and embed a comprehensive HSE management system aligned to legal and international standards
• Conduct a baseline assessment of existing HSE practices and define a clear improvement roadmap
• Ensure compliance with UK legislation including HSWA 1974, COSHH, and environmental permitting requirements
• Lead the implementation and optimisation of ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 frameworks
• Develop and roll out group-wide HSE policies, procedures, and SOPs
• Drive practical, high-impact HSE improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations
• Lead incident investigation and corrective action processes, including 8D methodology
• Implement effective standards across PPE, machine safety, LOTO, electrical safety, contractor and forklift operations
• Build organisational HSE capability through training, coaching, and leadership engagement
• Establish meaningful HSE KPIs, reporting cadence, and governance structures
• Lead emergency preparedness planning, drills, and crisis response readiness

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in a senior HSE leadership role within heavy manufacturing, engineering, metallurgy, or foundry environments
• Chartered IOSH (CMIOSH) or equivalent professional status
• NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent) essential
• Demonstrable experience building, resetting, or significantly improving HSE systems
• Strong working knowledge of UK HSE legislation and ISO management systems
• A confident, influential leader able to drive behavioural and cultural change at all levels

Why This Role?

• A genuine "build and transform" HSE leadership opportunity
• High-impact role with direct access to executive leadership
• International exposure across complex, multi-site manufacturing operations
• The chance to leave a lasting legacy through system build, governance, and culture change

📩 Interested?
For a confidential discussion, apply directly or contact Morgan Ryder. All applications will be handled discreetly.

At Morgan Ryder we can provide you with a full range of employment opportunities from short term and fixed term temporary vacancies to permanent positions.

We recruit for companies that operate in the following industries: Defence Equipment, Food and Drink Manufacturers, FMCG, Packaging, Engineering, Automotive, Aerospace, Warehousing, Logistics, Waste Management, Petro Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Power & Renewable Energy.

Our commitment:

Equal opportunities are important to us. We believe that diversity and inclusion at Morgan Ryder Associates are critical to our success as DE&I positive company, so we want to recruit, develop, and keep the best talent. We encourage applications from everyone, regardless of background, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, ethnicity, belief, age, family or parental status, and any other characteristic.

Please note that calls to and from the offices of Morgan Ryder Associates Ltd. may be monitored or recorded. This is to ensure compliance with regulatory procedures, record business transactions and for training purposes.