Head of Health & Safety

Role: Head of Health and Safety

Location: N Brown Sites within Greater Manchester

Job Purpose

To establish, lead and continuously improve N Brown Group's UK health and safety management system and culture across all sites and functions, with a strong operational focus on warehousing and mechanical/material handling equipment safety. The role ensures legal compliance, protects colleagues and third parties from harm, and enables safe, efficient business delivery.

This is a strategic leadership position accountable for Health & Safety governance, performance, assurance and cultural change, working closely with operational leaders and senior governance forums.

Reporting Relationship:

• Reports to: Head of Supply Chain Transformation & Group Efficiency
• Direct reports: 3
• Key stakeholders (matrix): Group Operating Committee, Audit & Risk Committee, Executive Board, Operations/Warehouse/Transport leadership, People, Facilities and Property teams

Key Accountabilities

1) Strategy, Governance and Leadership

• Develop and deliver the UK Health & Safety strategy and annual plan aligned to business priorities and ISO 45001 principles.
• Define clear accountability (RACI), escalation routes and governance rhythms across the organisation.
• Establish risk appetite measures, key risk indicators and performance expectations aligned to the Group Risk framework.
• Provide insight-led reporting to senior forums, including Audit & Risk, covering performance, trends, emerging risks and corrective action progress.

2) Operational Risk Management and Assurance

• Own and oversee effective risk assessment governance (including RAMS) and safe systems of work across all UK operations.
• Ownership of the documented H&S management system which will include development, maintenance, review and continuous improvement in the context of that management system and aligned to ISO 45001 principles
• Lead incident, near-miss and accident management, including investigation standards, root cause analysis and corrective action closure.
• Ensure robust arrangements are in place to continue to remain effective for first aid, emergency response and business continuity safety requirements.
• Set and maintain audit/inspection expectations and ensure actions are prioritised, owned, tracked and closed.

3) Warehouse Safety and MHE/FLT Safety (Core Operational Focus)

• Provide UK-wide leadership on warehouse safety, including manual handling, pedestrian/vehicle management, workplace transport, racking safety, falling stock risk, housekeeping and safe work practices.
• Set and enforce standards for MHE/FLT selection, operation, maintenance, inspection and competence management in line with UK requirements (e.g. PUWER/LOLER).
• Ensure training and competence frameworks are in place continue to remain effective for employees, contractors and agency colleagues operating MHE/FLT.
• Ensure high-risk activities are controlled through suitable safe systems of work and permit-to-work where required.
• Drive warehouse safety KPIs (leading/lagging) and continuous improvement plans in partnership with operational leadership.

4) Fire Safety Management

• Lead the UK approach to fire safety management and compliance, including fire risk assessments, emergency arrangements and assurance.
• Ensure fire safety training, drills and equipment testing/certification regimes are established and maintained.
• Partner with Facilities/Property and site leaders to manage fire risk during building works, projects and contractor activity.
• Maintain effective liaison with enforcing authorities and manage responses to inspections and actions.

5) Data, Reporting and Systems

• Define and maintain a clear KPI/KRI framework with consistent definitions, governance thresholds and trend reporting.
• Ensure Health & Safety records and data are accurate, controlled and accessible; support continued development of Health & Safety systems and reporting capability.
• Use insights to identify emerging risk and prioritise intervention.

6) Regulatory Compliance and External Stakeholder Management

• Maintain oversight of compliance with relevant UK health and safety and fire safety legislation and guidance (including RIDDOR reporting where applicable).
• Lead relationships with regulators and external bodies as required (HSE, Local Authority, Fire Authority), including incident reporting and follow-up.
• Support management of Health & Safety-related claims, working with insurers and internal stakeholders to reduce future exposure.

7) Culture, Engagement and Capability Building

• Act as the face of H&S for the organisation, confidence in driving a culture of safety performance, understanding and shared responsibility across the organisation.
• Drive a positive, high-accountability safety culture where leaders routinely prioritise safe decisions, especially in peak trading periods.
• Coach and influence leaders across the organisation, building ownership for safety at every level.
• Promote psychological safety and confident reporting of hazards and near-misses without fear of reprisal.
• Deliver clear communications that make Health & Safety expectations practical and understood across diverse colleague groups.

8) Budget and Resource Planning

• Manage the UK Health & Safety budget and resource plan, including training and safety-critical programmes.
• Identify and clearly articulate gaps, priorities and investment needs supported by business cases and measurable outcomes.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

Qualifications

• UK RQF Level 6 qualification in health and safety. That is equivalent to a bachelor's degree and would include NEBOSH Diploma, IOSH Diploma or equivalent as well as a mainstream H&S Degree.
• Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH) or working towards (strongly preferred).
• Fire safety qualification (e.g. NEBOSH/IOSH Fire Safety) desirable.

Experience

• Significant Health & Safety leadership experience in complex UK operational environments (multi-site preferred), warehousing/logistics/distribution essential.
• Strong working knowledge of warehouse hazards and MHE/FLT safety, including competence management, assurance and maintenance governance.
• Proven track record of developing and embedding management systems, risk assessment governance and measurable safety improvement.
• Confident presenting to senior stakeholders (Executive/Board/Audit & Risk), using data to drive prioritisation and decision-making.
• Experience implementing or improving Health & Safety systems/tools (e.g. Evotix, SafetyCulture, Rivo or equivalent) desirable.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking with strong operational credibility
• Clear accountability, governance and follow-through
• Pragmatic risk management and prioritisation
• Influencing and stakeholder engagement at all levels
• Data-led performance management and continuous improvement
• Clear communication and ability to simplify technical requirements
• Resilience and calm leadership in incidents and high-pressure periods

What's in it for you?

• Hybrid working (3 days in the office at a minimum)
• 24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays)
• Annual bonus scheme
• Enhanced maternity and adoption leave
• Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution
• Mental Health support both internally and externally, including access to our wellbeing champions and counselling services
• A range of financial wellbeing support
• Stream - a financial wellbeing tool that helps you track your pay, access earnings early and manage your money with confidence
• Colleague discount across all N Brown brands
• Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts!
• Life Assurance and Private Medical Insurance
• Paid volunteer time - all our colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of their choice

N Brown - who we are and why work for us?

N Brown is a leading UK digital retail platform for clothing, footwear, home and technology, headquartered in Manchester and employing over 1,000 people nationwide. Through our strategic retail brands JD Williams, Jacamo and Simply Be and our unique payments offering, we exist to champion inclusivity and serve the underserved. Our customers are our passion, and we take great pride in delivering products that ensure they can look and feel amazing, without compromising on choice, value and accessibility.

We're committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment that values equality for all. Our vision is that by 'By championing inclusion, N Brown will become the UK's most loved and trusted consumer platform, shaping the future of financial empowerment and personal expression'. 'Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are, therefore, at the heart of our culture.

In May 2024 we were delighted to be named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. We work hard to create a happy and inclusive culture for everyone and we're so proud to have made this list - as voted for by our very own colleagues!

Ways of Working

We offer hybrid working which varies across the business depending on the role you're in. This role will be based in our Logistics site in Shaw but you will also travel to our Head Office in the Northern Quarter in Manchester City Centre.

Our working hours are 38.5 per week over 5 days.

We believe AI will become a standard part of modern professional practice. We are therefore looking for individuals who are open to learning, testing, and responsibly adopting AI tools to improve efficiency, insight, and impact in their role.

Our promise to you

We're an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Please know your application is being reviewed by a real human being. We value your interest in joining us and appreciate you taking the time to submit your application.

What happens when you apply to a role at N Brown?

As soon as we receive your application, we'll send you an email to let you know. We always aim to come back to you as soon as possible with an update and we really appreciate you taking the time to apply for a role with us. Good luck!