Head of Health & Safety
22 hours ago
Bedford
About Us Hola, we’re DAMM, founded in Barcelona in 1876. We specialise in the manufacture and distribution of beverages, mainly beer – you may know us for our flagship beer Estrella! Our aim is to become the leading national company in the beverage sector in all the products we sell, to grow sustainably and profitably in each of the sectors we work in, both with the maximum respect and care of the environment and current legislation. Our company values LIVE (Loyalty, Innovation, Customer Value and Energy) inspire everything we do! As a drive for growth, we have opened our first base outside of the Iberian strip, the Eagle Brewery in Bedford, which has undergone a massive transformation and glow-up, this growth has provided new development opportunities and vacancies, such as this one! The Role We’re looking for a Head of Health & Safety who’s excited to bring their skills and ideas to the table. In this role, you’ll be accountable for setting, leading, and embedding an exceptional Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) culture for Damm UK. This role provides both strategic leadership and operational ownership of all H&S matters, ensuring full legal compliance, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement across the site and field. As the most senior H&S professional in the UK, the role will act as the trusted advisor to the leadership team, while maintaining a strong on‑site presence and a practical, solutions‑focused approach. What You’ll Be Doing Leadership & Strategy • Own and deliver the UK Health & Safety strategy aligned to business objectives and operational realities., • Act as the UK subject‑matter expert on Health & Safety legislation and best practice., • Champion a proactive safety culture where H&S is embedded in everyday decision‑making., • Advise and challenge senior leaders on risk, compliance, and continuous improvement. Compliance & Governance • Ensure full compliance with UK H&S legislation, including but not limited to:, • Health and Safety at Work Act, • COSHH, PUWER, LOLER, DSEAR, • Fire safety and environmental requirements, • Maintain and continuously improve site H&S policies, procedures, and systems., • Lead internal and external audits, inspections, and regulatory visits., • Manage all statutory reporting, documentation, and legal registers. Operational Risk Management • Identify, assess, and control H&S risks across brewery operations and field-based activities, including production, engineering, logistics, warehousing and sales., • Lead risk assessments, safe systems of work, and permit‑to‑work processes., • Oversee contractor H&S management for on‑site works and maintenance activities., • Ensure robust incident reporting, investigation, and root‑cause analysis. Coaching & Engagement • Provide hands‑on support and coaching to managers and teams to improve H&S capability., • Design and deliver H&S training and toolbox talks appropriate to site risks., • Build strong relationships with frontline teams, trade unions and safety representatives., • Lead site safety committees and forums. Performance & Improvement • Develop, track, and report on key H&S performance metrics and trends., • Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce incidents and near misses., • Share lessons learned and best practice across functions., • Manage and continuously improve emergency response and crisis management plans. Food Safety & HACCP • Support and collaborate with site functions to ensure effective implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of HACCP systems and core food safety principles. What We’re Looking For Experience • Graduate Member of IOSH (or working towards Chartered Membership)., • Qualified BRCGS Auditor (or equivalent recognised auditing certification)., • Proven experience in Health & Safety management, ideally within a manufacturing or operational environment., • Experience within the food industry, quality, or FMCG sectors, with strong understanding of food‑safety culture and operational practices. Key Behaviours • Exceptional communication skills, able to influence and engage colleagues at all levels., • Proactive, solutions‑focused, and highly attentive to detail., • Demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, with a genuine interest in legislation, regulation, and industry best practice., • Confident in persuading and negotiating with leaders and managers to drive adoption of safety standards and behaviours., • “Can‑do” attitude and a practical mindset that supports safe and efficient operations. Functional Competencies • Strong ability to interpret, apply, and communicate Health & Safety legislation, guidelines, and regulatory requirements., • Skilled in problem‑solving, incident investigation, and root‑cause analysis., • Capable of prioritising multiple tasks and managing workload effectively in a fast‑paced environment., • Computer literacy, with competence in reporting, documentation management, and safety system software., • Ability to develop, implement, and monitor safety improvement initiatives across operational teams. Application Process Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews, and we’ll keep you updated throughout the process. We’re committed to making our recruitment process accessible. If you need any adjustments or accommodations, please let us know - we’re happy to support you. How to Apply Click Apply on LinkedIn and send us your CV (and a short cover letter if you’d like).