Head of HSEQ
Welshpool | Manufacturing | Senior Leadership Opportunity
Lead the strategy. Shape the safety culture. Drive operational excellence.
We are partnering with an established manufacturing business in Welshpool to appoint a Head of HSEQ to lead its Health, Safety, Environment and Quality function.
This is a senior leadership appointment for an experienced HSE professional who understands the complexities of a manufacturing environment, has a strong background in health and safety, and is ready to take a more strategic role within the business.
The company already has established Health and Safety and Quality Managers on site. Your role will be to provide the strategic direction, leadership and accountability for the wider HSEQ function, ensuring that health and safety remains at the forefront of operational decision-making while maintaining robust quality, environmental and compliance standards.
The opportunity
Reporting into the senior leadership team, you will take ownership of the HSEQ strategy, leading and developing the existing Health and Safety and Quality Managers.
This is not a role where success is measured purely by policies, audits and compliance paperwork. We are looking for someone who can influence at leadership level, engage with operational teams and embed a proactive, sustainable safety culture across the site.
You will have the opportunity to shape the direction of the function, challenge existing practices where necessary and ensure that HSEQ is recognised as an integral part of operational performance, rather than a standalone support department.
Key responsibilities
Strategic leadership: Develop and implement the site-wide HSEQ strategy, aligning health, safety, environmental and quality objectives with wider business priorities.
Health and safety leadership: Drive a proactive safety culture, ensuring effective risk management, accident prevention, incident investigation and continuous improvement across manufacturing operations.
Team leadership: Lead, coach and develop the existing Health and Safety Manager and Quality Manager, establishing clear accountability, objectives and performance expectations.
Manufacturing compliance: Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, industry standards, customer requirements and internal management systems.
Quality standards: Provide leadership and oversight of quality and compliance systems.
Operational engagement: Work closely with production, engineering, maintenance and senior management to integrate HSEQ into everyday operational decisions.
Continuous improvement: Use data, audits, incident trends and performance indicators to identify risks, drive improvements and deliver measurable results.
Leadership and culture: Build engagement at all levels of the organisation, ensuring that managers and employees take ownership of health, safety and quality standards.
What we're looking for
We are looking for a credible, commercially aware HSEQ leader with a strong health and safety foundation and the ability to operate effectively at both strategic and operational levels.
You will ideally bring:
A proven track record in a senior HSE, HSEQ or SHE leadership position within manufacturing.
Experience in an automotive manufacturing environment with exposure to IATF 16949 highly desirable.
A strong technical understanding of health and safety legislation, risk management and the practical challenges of manufacturing operations.
Experience leading, developing or influencing managers and multidisciplinary teams.
A track record of improving safety performance, strengthening compliance and embedding sustainable behavioural and cultural change.
The confidence to challenge established practices, influence senior stakeholders and hold operational leaders accountable.
Relevant professional qualifications, ideally NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent, with IOSH membership or chartered status advantageous.
Quality experience is beneficial, particularly within an automotive…