Senior Environmental, Health and Safety Manager

What makes this a great opportunity?

The Senior Manager – EHS Compliance is responsible for leading the strategic direction, governance and assurance of all Environmental, Health and Safety activities across UK Operations. The role provides leadership for EHS compliance, organisational capability, risk management and culture development, ensuring that legal obligations, company standards and global requirements are consistently achieved. The role owns the UK EHS strategy, governance framework and Integrated Management System and leads a team of EHS professionals responsible for delivering EHS excellence across operational sites.

Reporting Structure

Reports to: Director, UK Operations

Direct Reports:
• EHS Regional Leads
• EHS Specialists (as applicable)

The role forms part of the UK Operations Leadership Team and provides strategic EHS leadership across all operational locations.

Role Scope & Dimensions

Accountable for EHS governance, compliance and assurance across all UK manufacturing, distillation, maturation, warehousing, packaging, engineering and visitor centre operations. Responsible for the development and implementation of EHS strategy, management systems, regulatory engagement and capability development. Provides leadership and oversight of EHS resources operating across multiple sites.

Role Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities – Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and maintain the UK EHS Strategy aligned with business objectives and global EHS requirements.
• Establish long-term EHS priorities, objectives and performance targets.
• Provide strategic EHS leadership to UK Operations leadership teams.
• Lead organisational EHS culture and behavioural safety transformation programmes.
• Drive continuous improvement through proactive risk management and operational excellence initiatives.
• Represent UK Operations within global EHS networks and industry forums.

Governance & Assurance

• Own the UK EHS Governance Framework and associated assurance programmes.
• Own and continuously improve the Integrated Management System aligned with ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 requirements.
• Establish EHS policies, standards and minimum expectations across UK Operations.
• Define audit, inspection and compliance assurance programmes.
• Review EHS performance and challenge compliance gaps and emerging risks.
• Ensure effective governance of legal compliance obligations.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Maintain strategic oversight of compliance with UK and Scottish EHS legislation.
• Provide governance over COMAH, DSEAR, COSHH, CDM, PUWER, LOLER, RIDDOR and environmental compliance programmes.
• Act as senior escalation point for HSE, SEPA and regulatory authority engagement.
• Lead significant regulatory inspections, enforcement activities and external audits.
• Ensure effective management of major accident hazards and process safety risks.
• Provide EHS governance for capital projects and organisational change programmes.

People Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead, coach and develop EHS Regional Leads and wider EHS resources.
• Establish competency frameworks and development plans.
• Build organisational capability through coaching, mentoring and leadership development.
• Promote a culture of accountability, learning and continuous improvement.
• Support succession planning and talent development within the EHS function.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the senior EHS advisor to UK Operations leadership teams.
• Build effective relationships with Operations, Engineering, HR, Supply Chain and Corporate Functions.

• Represent the organisation with regulators, certification bodies and industry associations.
• Influence investment decisions relating to EHS risk reduction and operational improvements.

Qualifications

Qualifications & Experience

• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent Level 6 qualification.
• Chartered Membership of IOSH preferred.
• Minimum 7–10 years' experience in senior EHS leadership positions.
• Significant experience in manufacturing, distilling, chemical or COMAH-regulated industries.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-site EHS teams.
• Experience managing regulatory inspections, enforcement activities and certification audits.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Governance & Assurance
• Risk Management
• Regulatory Expertise
• Influencing & Stakeholder Management
• Coaching & Talent Development
• Change Leadership
• Continuous Improvement

Success Measures

• Legal and regulatory compliance performance.
• Reduction in serious injuries and environmental events.
• Audit and certification outcomes.
• EHS culture maturity improvements.
• Achievement of strategic EHS objectives.
• Leadership capability development within the EHS function.
• Effective implementation of UK EHS strategy