Health & Safety Manager Welwyn Garden City 37hpw

Purpose of the Job:

HCL is a leading provider of education catering services to schools in Hertfordshire and surrounding Counties. We are expanding our services to commercial businesses within and beyond Hertfordshire.

HCL are committed to the highest standards of health and safety and food safety for our employees and clients.

The Health & Safety Manager will develop, implement, and maintain health and safety policies and procedures, and will lead on the ISO 9001/14001 accreditation audits and governance.

Ensuring a safe working environment across all catering operations and office sites, this role also supports the Training & Standards Manager in delivering professional and nationally recognised qualifications to meet business needs in a supportive and dynamic environment. The Health & Safety Manager will be the face of people safety in our organisation.

Key Duties:

• Develop and implement health and safety policies and procedures in compliance with legal requirements and industry standards.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and audits to identify potential hazards and implement corrective actions.
• Provide training and guidance to staff on health and safety practices, including emergency procedures and the safe use of equipment/PPE.
• Investigate accidents, incidents, and near-misses, including allergy and food incidents/investigations and prepare detailed reports with recommendations for prevention. Access to a personal vehicle and a willingness to travel across Herts and surrounding counties is essential.
• Ensure all catering facilities and equipment meet health and safety regulations.
• Liaise with external agencies and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with health and safety/food safety legislation.
• Maintain accurate records of health and safety activities, including inspections, incident reports, RIDDOR reporting and monthly data collection for SLT.
• Promote a culture of food safety and health and safety awareness for continuous improvement within the organisation.
• Collaborate with procurement, training and operational teams to ensure the availability of appropriate PPE that meets regulatory compliance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety, Environmental Health, or a related field.
• NEBOSH Certificate or equivalent qualification (advanced Diploma Level 6)
• Proven experience as a Health & Safety Manager, preferably within the catering or hospitality sector.
• Strong knowledge of allergy management and investigation.
• Level 4 Award in Managing Food Safety in Catering.
• In-depth knowledge of health and safety regulations and best practices.
• Experience with ISO 9001 & 14001 governance and the audit process.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Excel and Power BI

• Policy Development and Implementation:

Create and enforce health and safety policies and procedures in compliance with legal requirements and industry standards.

• Risk Assessment and ISO Management:

Conduct regular risk assessments/support with risk register to identify potential hazards and implement corrective actions to mitigate risks. Oversee and manage governance of ISO 9001/14001 audits.

• Training and Education:

Provide training and guidance to staff on health and safety practices, and emergency/fire procedures.

• Incident Investigation:

Oversee and investigate accidents, incidents, and near-misses, including food and allergy incidents. Prepare detailed reports with recommendations for prevention, with a strong focus on food safety and allergy practice.

• Regulatory Compliance:

Ensure all catering facilities and equipment meet health and safety regulations and liaise with external agencies and regulatory bodies. Monitoring and reporting performance.

• Health Surveillance:

Monitor the health of all employees, particularly for conditions like dermatitis or musculoskeletal injuries common in the catering industry.

• Record Keeping:

Maintain accurate records of health and safety food safety, allergen activities, including inspections, incident reports, RIDDOR reporting and monthly data collection for SLT and the Board.

• Continuous Improvement & Collaboration:

Promote a culture of health & safety and food safety awareness and a continuous improvement plan within the organisation. Work closely with departments, such as operations, training, procurement and human resources, to ensure a cohesive approach to health and safety and food safety.

Person Specification:

• Essential Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of health and safety, within the workplace.
• Communication Skills: Strong ability to influence and convey key points with confidence and conviction.
• Organisational Skills: Proven experience in prioritising workloads within demanding timeframes and demonstrating resilience under pressure.
• Training and Coaching: Effective training and coaching style that drives performance, encourages development and continuous improvement.
• IT Proficiency: Demonstrable proficiency in IT skills, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and BI Power.
• Food Safety: Knowledge and understanding of Food Safety Management Systems, SOP's, advanced knowledge around allergy systems and legal regulations.
• Audits: Familiarity with all internal and external audits, experience with ISO 9001/14001 criteria.
• Travel Requirements: Willingness to travel across Hertfordshire and surrounding Counties to visit HCL sites, cross sector. Access to a personal vehicle is essential.
• Relationship Building: Ability to develop and maintain relationships with colleagues, teams, Head Teachers and school staff.
• Professionalism: Exemplary role model behaviour and adherence to the highest professional and ethical standards.
• Teamwork: Experience in working flexibly within a team, utilising expertise to support the wider team and promote a positive development culture.
• Collaborative Culture: Ability to work collaboratively to foster a positive health and safety culture across the organisation.
• Sector Knowledge: Preferable knowledge and experience in the education sector, with experience in primary, secondary and commercial sectors.
• Multi-Site Competence: Confidence and competence in working within multi-site businesses is preferable.

These responsibilities ensure that the Health & Safety Manager plays a crucial role in maintaining a safe and compliant working environment for employees at HCL.

The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present. The post holder is expected to accept any reasonable alterations that may from time to time be necessary.

Why join HCL?

• £41,084 - £46,195 depending on experience
• Monday - Friday 37hpw work schedule

• Pension Scheme

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Rewards Package including discounts and benefits
• Learning & Development Opportunities
• Onsite parking

How to Apply:

If you think you're the right fit for this role, we'd love to hear from you! Apply today on our website or send your CV to .

This role requires a DBS check and confirmation of your right to work in the UK.