Health & Safety Manager

Pontefract, England, United Kingdom

6/16/2025

Job Description

About the role:

The Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manager is responsible and accountable for ensuring that the Warehousing and Distribution H&S management systems and procedures are developed, communicated, delivered and monitored for each site and location they are responsible for and that the site management then maintains these systems and procedures ensuring their ongoing suitability.

The Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manager will also maintain a consultative and expert relationship with each of their sites and ensure ongoing compliance with NEXT standards.

This role is based from our warehouses in South Elmsall.

About the role:

Legal

• Work with local authorities on building a positive partnership, (Lead authority)
• Work with local authorities and the HSE on any enforcement activity, ensuring the best outcome for Next.
• Ensure that appropriate design strategies and risk assessments are developed, and significant findings acted on appropriately for all projects, builds, materials and equipment.
• Ensure that systems and procedures reflect current changes in legislation and thinking reflects current enforcement initiatives.
• Work with Group insurance, insurers, legal counsel on developing and maintaining systems and procedures that assist with any EL & PL claims.
• Interpret safety law that affects Next and drive for legal compliance.
• Gauge our compliance levels by conducting audits and planned inspections
• Experience of legal action (desirable from an enforcement background)
  
  

Influencing and developing the Management team

• Drive best practice safety management standards through the line management structure; in particular ensure the effective use of Operational Facilities Managers and Safety Coordinators in the local management of safety
• Use H&S MI to gauge their success against agreed standards.
• Produce reports and other information that address issues & concerns and reinforce what works well.
• Ensure that CPD; continual personal development of managers continues and is maintained at an appropriate level
• Provide incident response cover
  
  

Training, information and instruction

• Develop new training courses and packages
• Develop instructional and educational material to support risk assessments and SSOW’s
• Actively promote and participate in Management 1.2.1’s
• Work with, support and if required help develop the safety knowledge of our network of Operational Facilities Managers.
• Ensure CPD is maintained throughout the Management team.
  
  

New projects, new builds, new equipment & contractors

• Ensure that PDI (Pre delivery inspections) are completed for all new equipment and fleet.
• Ensure new CDM projects are audited and receive adequate H&S support and guidance.
• Ensure available expert and consultative recourse is available for all new projects.
• Ensure the continued suitability of systems and procedure for the management of contractors.
• Ensure the continued suitability of systems and procedure for the assessment of contractors and sub-contractors.
• Experience of noise monitoring.
• Experience / qualification in ergonomics.
  
  

High risk

• Ensure Fire Safety provisions, Fire Risk Assessments and regular reviews are in place throughout NDL
• Ensure that WAH (working at height) is given a high priority and systems and procedures are maintained.
• Ensure workplace transport risk is managed and that emergent risks are communicated effectively and appropriate action taken.
• Ensure that all CDM, and complex contractor based projects are audited and that appropriate H&S resources are always available.
• Ensure that an appropriate Asbestos management plan is maintained.
• Ensure that Emergent risks are communicated and escalated.
• Ensure that appropriate expert and consultative advice is available for all known risks.
  
  

About you:

• Highly preferable: NEBOSH Diploma Part 1 or equivalent
• Must have a good general level of education
• Working Knowledge of transport and logistics
• Highly preferable Level 4 Fire Safety Auditor or equivalent
• Experience of supporting and advising H&S for engineering systems and processes
• Broad knowledge of and or qualification in:
• Noise / nuisance and control
• Environmental protection /. Air pollution / pest infestation and disease
• Enforcement
• Food Hygiene knowledge (desirable from an enforcement background)
• Understanding and competence that supports the business in the following areas:- DESEAR / ADR / CDG / maintaining a compliance level under COMAH etc
• Primary authority
• Understanding of Health and Safety law as applicable to Warehousing, Distribution and Retail
• High level of communication skills required
• Influence / tact / diplomacy at all levels
• Great team worker
• Brilliant delivery and new ideas and approaches
• Planning and organising own work
• Timely decision making
• Able to coordinate and delegate project work
• Common sense approach to problem solving with the ability to see the bigger picture and the effect / implications of change / activities.
• Self starter with a will to win who is comfortable operating with outline guidance in a semi autonomous role.
  
  

About Us

You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!

About The Team

• 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
• Company performance based bonus
• Sharesave scheme
• On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
• 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
• Early VIP access to sale stock
• Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
• Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
• Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
• Free on-site parking
• Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
• Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
• Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
• Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
• Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more
  
  

Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.

We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email [email protected] (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.