HSE Specialist

Role Overview

This role is all about making sure safety is a lived practice, not just a policy, across a network of retail or operational sites. You will spend your time visiting different locations, observing how work actually gets done, and spotting where risks sit beneath the surface. Your work directly reduces injuries, keeps the business on the right side of regulators, and builds a culture where everyone feels responsible for safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform regular site-level safety walkthroughs and formal audits to assess physical conditions, equipment, and worker behaviour against internal standards.
• Lead thorough incident investigations using structured root-cause methods, then document findings and verify that corrective and preventive actions are completed on time and stay effective.
• Oversee contractor activity by reviewing permits, confirming method statements, and checking that third-party teams observe the same safety rules as permanent staff.
• Plan and execute emergency response exercises such as evacuation drills, fire safety checks, and first-aid readiness reviews, then debrief to close any gaps.
• Deliver engaging toolbox talks and practical training sessions that translate safety rules into day-to-day habits for store associates, supervisors, and managers.
• Keep all statutory health and safety documentation current and inspectable, including risk assessments, training records, audit trails, and near-miss logs.
• Track leading and lagging safety indicators, surface trends, and propose targeted improvement initiatives to reduce repeat incidents and high-risk exposure.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in occupational safety, environmental health, safety engineering, public health, risk management, or a directly related discipline.
• A recognised professional certification such as NEBOSH, IOSH Managing Safely, or an OSHA-accredited programme is required; a relevant ISO 45001 internal auditor credential is a strong plus.
• Three to five years of hands-on safety experience in environments like retail, FMCG, logistics, warehousing, or manufacturing, preferably with multiple locations or sites.
• Demonstrated skill in investigating incidents, performing risk assessments, managing contractor safety, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and corporate requirements.
• Comfort with coaching and influencing people at all levels, plus solid written and verbal communication skills for training, reporting, and incident documentation.