Health and Safety Manager

Job Description:

Health and Safety Manager

Leicester

Competitive Salary + Excellent Benefits

Irwin and Colton are pleased to be partnering with Sofidel to appoint a new Health and Safety Manager for their manufacturing operations in Leicestershire. Sofidel is a global paper manufacturer with a strong UK presence operating large scale production facilities and employing a significant workforce across its sites. The role will play a key part in shaping health and safety strategy and supporting operational performance within a complex manufacturing environment.

This role will oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of health and safety across two manufacturing sites, ensuring the wellbeing of employees, contractors, and visitors.

Managing a small team and working closely with site and senior leadership, the role will be key in driving operational excellence and continuous improvement, embedding a proactive, risk-aware safety culture across a fast-paced, high-performing manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities of the Health and Safety Manager will include:

• Ensuring compliance with UK health and safety legislation while aligning site practices with wider international, group health and safety standards.
• Providing visible, hands-on leadership across two manufacturing plants, supporting operational teams in both fast and heavy manufacturing environments.
• Driving engagement and accountability at all levels to embed a practical and effective safety culture.
• Leading audits, inspections, and incident investigations, ensuring clear reporting and robust corrective actions.
• Working closely with Plant Management, HR, Group Health and Safety, and external bodies to deliver ongoing safety improvement and project activity.

The successful Health and Safety Manager will have:

• Proven experience in a senior Health and Safety role within a manufacturing or general industrial environment, with the credibility to operate at both strategic and operational level.
• NEBOSH Diploma (or working towards), with a strong grounding in UK Health and Safety legislation and best practice.
• Excellent communication skills with proven experience engaging colleagues and a wide range of stakeholders.
• A practical, pragmatic approach, with the confidence to operate autonomously on site while working within a wider group structure