Health and Safety Manager - Logistics

About the role...

Are you passionate about ensuring a safe and compliant work environment? Poundland is seeking an experienced Health and Safety Manager for our Harlow Distribution Centre. In this critical role, you will manage our Corporate Health & Safety Policy and Procedures, ensuring compliance with all legislative requirements while delivering a high-quality health and safety service to our distribution and transport teams. Your role will be pivotal in safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of all colleagues, customers, and visitors at the Distribution Centre.

We uphold three core behaviours that guide all our actions:

Love Our Customers: We strive to delight our customers, listening and responding to their needs because they are our priority.

Care for Our Colleagues: We support each other to foster a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Protect Our Pounds/Euros: We are committed to cost-efficiency and value, ensuring every penny counts.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Why choose us?

At Poundland, we pride ourselves on more than just delivering great value – we take great care of our people too. We Care for our Colleagues by ensuring a safe and supportive workplace, we Love our Customers by striving for excellence in every aspect of our operations, and we Protect the Pound/Euro by maintaining the highest standards of efficiency and compliance. As our Health and Safety Manager, you will be at the forefront of these values, leading initiatives that make a tangible difference to our business and the people who make it all possible.

Your Impact and Responsibilities…

• Enforce Safety Policies: Implement and enforce the Poundland safety policy and Safety Management System across the Distribution Centre.
• Monitor and Report: Track and report all accidents, near misses, and incidents within the DC, identifying trends and working with the distribution management teams to create action plans that address areas of concern.
• Lead Investigations: Take charge of serious incident investigations, providing detailed reports on root causes and recommending preventive measures.
• Advise and Guide: Offer expert guidance on health and safety matters to distribution and transport managers, ensuring compliance and best practice.
• Conduct Risk Assessments: Regularly review and update Distribution/Transport Risk Assessments, particularly following incidents.
• Safety Inspections: Organise and participate in safety inspections, hygiene audits, and the management of shift daily inspection books.
• Implement New Processes: Work with the Group Risk & Safety Assurance Manager to review and implement new safety processes as needed, ensuring compliance with the latest legislation.
• Hygiene Standards: Maintain high hygiene standards through regular audits and guidance, enforcing the hygiene policy across all shifts and functions.
• Liaise with Authorities: Act as the main point of contact for local authorities regarding health and safety information and site visits.
• Facilitate Meetings: Assist the DC Controller in chairing Distribution Health and Safety meetings with Managers and Union representatives, ensuring all concerns are addressed.
• Daily Presence: Maintain a visible and active presence within the Distribution Centre, engaging with colleagues on health and safety issues.
• Report and Escalate: Provide monthly safety statistics to the DC Controller and escalate complex issues to the Group Risk & Safety Assurance Manager as necessary.

Skills and Knowledge…

• NEBOSH Qualifications: A minimum of a NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent, with a NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent) in Occupational Health & Safety in Practice being highly desirable.
• Membership of IOSH: Membership with IOSH or an equivalent professional body is required.
• Strong Knowledge of Distribution Operations: An in-depth understanding of distribution operations and the specific health and safety challenges they present.
• Expertise in Health & Safety Law: A comprehensive knowledge of health and safety law and best practices, particularly within a logistics or distribution context.
• Leadership and Communication Skills: The ability to lead, influence, and communicate effectively at all levels, ensuring that health and safety remains a top priority across the site.
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About us...

Since our humble beginnings in 1990, Poundland has evolved into a retail powerhouse with over 900 stores and nearly 18,000 dedicated colleagues across the UK and Republic of Ireland. The addition of Dealz in 2011 further solidified our presence, enabling us to reach millions of customers with our unparalleled value offerings. 

At Poundland & Dealz, we don't just offer products at unbeatable prices; we cultivate an environment where every colleague can thrive and contribute to our mission of providing amazing value to millions of customers.

Our commitment to excellence, inclusion, and sustainability forms the foundation of our culture, empowering our team members to be the best versions of themselves while making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve. Our behaviours and the hard work, commitment and passion of our wonderful colleagues make it all possible.

We like to keep things simple, so we have just three behaviours that lie at the heart of everything we do and keep us on track. They are Love our customers, Care for our colleagues, and Protect the Pounds and Euros. By living our behaviours every day, we've created a land that is fun, friendly, and full of surprises—a place where our people can truly be the best versions of themselves!