Head of Health and Safety

Company Description

We are FBC UK, Fox's Burton's Companies! ……And we bake the UK's most incredible biscuits (we might be slightly biased, but we will leave that for you to judge).

FBC UK was a match made in heaven, with two of the top UK biscuits manufacturers (Burton's Biscuits and Fox's Biscuits) coming together to create one unique, integrated company.

We are home to famous iconic brands, including Maryland, Fox's, Jammie Dodger & Rocky, to name just a few. We are proud manufacturing partners to some of the biggest UK retailers and household names. We bake our incredible biscuits at eight bakeries across the UK, located at Isle of Arran, Livingston, Blackpool, Llantarnam, Edinburgh, Kirkham, Batley & Dorset and our HQ in St Albans. Together, we employ circa 4,000 amazing colleagues across all our locations. 

Whilst we know that we have delicious products we also know that that the key ingredient to our success is our people, and the passion we have for our brands. You could be the jammy to our dodger, party ring to our Fox’s or the choc-chip to our Maryland?!  We knead people with innovative ideas, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the commitment to drive FBC UK to success.

We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that feels empowered to build a fulfilling and successful career. By embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) we create a supportive environment for people to thrive and strive to have more positive impact.

We understand that having formal and on-the-job learning opportunities is key to our colleagues’ professional and personal growth. We are committed to providing an environment where everyone can learn from each other and grow through a variety of learning experiences.

Our colleagues make our business special. With strong community values, we believe FBC UK is a more prosperous and fun place to work when people feel free to be themselves. We believe in the power of being authentic, entrepreneurial, and supporting each other whilst meeting our business goals.

About the Role

As Head of Health and Safety, you will lead the development and execution of comprehensive health and safety programs that protect our people and promote a culture of safety across the business. You’ll ensure proactive planning, compliance, and continuous improvement, while driving awareness and accountability at all levels of the organisation. This role is key to embedding safety into our operations and empowering teams to take ownership of their wellbeing and working environment.

Main Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Innovation
  Lead the development and implementation of health and safety strategies, including horizon scanning for emerging risks and innovations that could benefit the organisation.

• Performance & Compliance
  Monitor HSE performance against KPIs, ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations, and take corrective action where needed.

• Expert Advice & Policy Development
  Provide specialist guidance on H&S policies and procedures, resolve complex queries, and support the development and implementation of effective compliance programs.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
  Build strong internal and external relationships, develop engagement plans, and promote awareness of safety responsibilities through education and events.

• Team Leadership & Capability Building
  Inspire and lead the H&S team, identify development needs, and support professional growth through coaching and formal training.

• Reporting & Insights
  Design and deliver insightful reports, interpret trends, and translate data into actionable recommendations to improve safety outcomes.

• Operational Oversight
  Ensure consistent application of safety standards across the organisation, including regulatory registration, audit readiness, and enforcement engagement.

Who we are looking for

• Extensive experience in behavioural safety strategy and implementation, ideally in partnership with leading third-party providers (e.g. DuPont), to support our priority of building a proactive safety culture
• A strong track record of applying key Health & Safety theories in practical, operational environments
• Manufacturing experience, preferably across multiple sites, with exposure to industries known for mature safety cultures (e.g. petrochemical)
• Proven success in leading H&S teams, developing strategy, and driving engagement across matrix organisations
• A balanced approach to business needs and safety priorities, with the ability to influence and inspire at all levels
• A passion for continuous improvement, with the drive to implement world-class standards in a growing and evolving organisation

Qualifications & Knowledge

• Chartered Member of IOSH
• Associate Member of IEMA – Practitioner level
• NEBOSH Diploma Level 6
• Degree in Occupational Health and Safety
• Member of IIRSM (International Institute of Risk and Safety Management)
• Strong working knowledge of Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA) and relevant legislation

Diversity Statement

FBC UK is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at FBC UK. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.

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