Head of Health & Safety

About the Role:

Do you have a passion for driving Health and Safety standards and making a real impact in an Operational environment? Are you an inspiring leader who can turn strategy into action and lead cultural behavioral change?

As an inclusive, forward-thinking business, we take pride in our approach to Health & Safety and are looking for a highly competent and motivated Head of Health & Safety to join our team.

Purpose of the role:

The Head of Health & Safety provides strategic and operational leadership for health and safety across Operations and Agriculture. The role is responsible for day-to-day H&S performance, risk management, legal compliance, and fostering a strong safety culture across all sites.

Based from our site in Brackley, this role will be predominantly site based and will require regular national travel around our Operational, Agricultural Sites and external stakeholder visits.

Your key responsibilities as Head of Health & Safety will include:

1. Leadership

• Lead and develop the Operations and Agriculture H&S team.
• Partner with Operations, Agriculture, Engineering, Technical and HR leaders to embed integrated safety strategies.
• Align with the central H&S function to ensure consistency and best practice across the business.

2. Policy & Compliance

• Develop, implement and maintain H&S policies and procedures in line with legal and company standards working with the central H&S function.
• Ensure robust audit and inspection programmes across all sites.
• Maintain full compliance with health, safety and environmental legislation.

3. Risk & Incident Management

• Identify, assess and mitigate operational risks across all sites.
• Oversee thorough investigations into incidents and near-misses, ensuring root cause analysis, corrective action and shared learning.

4. Safety Culture & Continuous Improvement

• Promote a proactive, safety-first culture through visible leadership and employee engagement.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety performance.

5. Training & Competence

• Define and implement clear H&S training standards in partnership with site management and the Training Team.
• Ensure workforce competence and awareness of safety and behavioural expectations.

6. Performance & Reporting

• Monitor safety KPIs, analyse trends and prioritise improvement actions.
• Provide clear, consistent reporting to senior leadership.

7. Communication & Advisory

• Act as the lead H&S advisor for Operations and Agriculture.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

8. Budget Accountability

• Manage the H&S budget, ensuring risk-based investment and effective resource allocation.

What we are looking for as Head of Health & Safety Essential Qualifications

• NEBOSH General Certificate (or equivalent); willingness to study for Diploma.
• Significant H&S management experience in manufacturing or primary production.
• Strong knowledge of H&S legislation and HACCP.
• Multi-site leadership experience.
• Proven track record in risk management and incident investigation.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Analytical and data-driven decision-making capability.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in safety reporting systems.

Desirable Qualifications

• NEBOSH Diploma.
• Degree in Occupational Health & Safety (or related field).
• Membership of a professional safety body.
• FMCG or food manufacturing experience.
• Experience leading cross-site safety improvement programmes.
• Data analysis and visualisation capability.
• Managing a H&S Budget.

Personal Attributes

• Safety-first mindset with strong integrity.
• Proactive, resilient and results-focused.
• Collaborative and adaptable.
• Able to engage effectively at all organisational levels.

What's in it for you?

• Competitive salary & Bonus Scheme
• 33 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Salary Sacrifice Car Allowance
• Private Health Cover for self + partner/child
• Matched pension contribution up to 6%
• Access to our Employee Benefit Scheme, including unlimited remote GP appointments, mental health sessions, physiotherapy, and more.

Who are we, and what do we do?

You may not have heard of us, but there's a good chance you've enjoyed our products. Avara Foods is one of the UK's leading food businesses, supplying chicken and turkey to the country's major supermarkets and well-known restaurants.

We own and manage our entire supply chain, from farms to factory and all the way to the customer door - meaning we have careers that cover a whole range of functions. We have major processing sites across England and Wales, and an agricultural network of over 350 farms, spanning from North Yorkshire to the South Coast and Wales.

If you're ready to work in a dynamic environment alongside talented people who take pride in delivering great results, apply today!

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.