We are seeking an experienced Health, Safety and Facilities Manager to join our award-winning client’s multi‑site retail business, which operates across Suffolk and Norfolk.
This is a full‑time, permanent position and would suit someone who wants to lead a senior, strategic H&S and Facilities function within a growing, independent business.
The role is based in Tiptree, Essex with regular travel to three other sites in Suffolk and Essex. You’ll need to be a visible on‑site presence, but there is flexibility for some hybrid working and around core working hours.
The salary offered is between £50,000 – £60,000 per annum, dependent on relevant experience, skills and qualifications.
The Company
Our client is a well‑established, family‑owned garden centre business, with three retail sites and one warehouse storage facility. They employ more than 330 people, have an annual turnover of £23 million and continue to grow.
Consistently ranking among the top ten garden centres in the UK, the business is owned and run by people who are passionate about plants and offering exceptional customer experience.
The Role
Reporting to one of the Directors, and with a headcount of one, this role has arisen due to the retirement of the previous Health & Safety Manager. Facilities Management has been tied into the role to support the business in its next phase of growth.
As Health, Safety & Facilities Manager, you’ll own the H&S and facilities function across the whole business. You’ll set the strategy, shape the culture, ensure the systems are the best they can be, and make every site a safe and pleasant place to shop, dine, and work.
You won’t be alone with the detail. The Facilities Officer already conducts routine statutory checks (legionella, fire safety, and similar), and you’ll work closely with HR, Comms, and senior and department managers. We’re committed to making the most of technology — AI tools, video (Loom), and design tools (Canva) so that H&S admin is light‑touch and what you produce is genuinely useful to the people reading it.
The focus of the role will centre around:
Strategy and culture
- Lead the H&S strategy for the business, with a planned, proactive approach rather than a reactive one
- Build a positive H&S culture that lives inside everyday behaviour
- Act as an enabler, not a barrier — helping managers and teams do the right thing with confidence
- Work closely with HR and Comms so H&S dovetails with the company’s vision, and values
- Ensure that each garden centre site is well‑maintained, safe and provides a ‘wow’ customer experience
- Build on the existing culture of investing in repairs and renewals, helping to set annual budgets to make continuous improvements whilst reducing costs
Systems, processes and technology
- Review and develop the H&S management system so it is genuinely fit for purpose — not reliant on Word docs, spreadsheets, and paper records.
- Define and source the right digital tools and software to support compliance, training, reporting, and day‑to‑day H&S admin.
- Use AI, video, and design tools creatively to make H&S materials accessible, memorable, and easy to act on.
- Keep risk assessments, safe systems of work, COSHH assessments, and related documentation up to date, clear, and usable.
- Manage the Facilities function, comprising of both permanent staff and contractors.
- Mentor and manage the Facilities Officer and work with them to improve the effectiveness of the Teams tracker and feedback/response times.
- Balance reactive repairs vs. proactive/maintenance tasks and develop a PPM schedule.
- Lead on contractor on‑site management, working with relevant managers.
Training, communications and engagement
- Design and deliver in‑house H&S training using a mix of formats so learning feels relevant, not a boring tick‑box.
- Produce regular H&S communications (newsletters, briefings, campaign material) that keeps safety front of mind for managers and their teams.
- Be visible and directive with the management team.
- Upskill line managers with clear expectations, tools and templates so they own H&S confidently in their areas.
- Work closely with relevant duty managers to ensure urgent repairs can happen at weekends, and ensure all managers feel well supported by the facilities team.
Compliance, assurance and reporting
- Ensure all legislative requirements are met across all sites and activities, including emergency procedures, first aid, training records, and statutory checks.
- Investigate accidents, incidents and near‑misses, and drive the process changes and lessons learned that come out of them.
- Manage external H&S advisors and external audits, and close out actions promptly.
- Provide timely reports for the Leadership Team and the Board, with clear commentary and recommended next steps.
Continuous improvement
- Respond to changing internal and external factors — new legislation, business developments, new activities — ahead of the curve.
- Gather data from a range of sources to inform priorities and projects.
- Champion ‘Competency, Controls, Cooperation’ as the shorthand for how we keep people safe.
- Look for opportunities to improve supplier contracts, either to save money or to improve the service we receive. Take the lead on utilities and energy management.
Requirements
As stated above, the role requires someone who wants to lead a senior, strategic H&S and Facilities function — be visible, values‑driven, and genuinely woven into how the business runs.
As the business continues to grow, this role is about building strong foundations: shaping culture, supporting managers, and keeping pace with change across the sites. If you enjoy continuous improvement, leading positive change, and turning good practice into a strong culture, you’ll enjoy working in this business.
Essential
- NEBOSH General Certificate or NVQ equivalent
- Member of IOSH or IIRSM
- Experience of working in retail or customer/public‑facing low risk environments
- An experienced H&S and facilities operator — comfortable making strategic decisions and closing out individual actions
- Experience of line management; enjoys mentoring and helping workers feel confident in their abilities
- An inspiring role model with excellent communication and influencing skills, able to win hearts and minds as well as set policy
- Excellent standard of English, strong IT and technology skills, and a good level of maths
- Confident using Microsoft 365 and digital H&S systems
- Willing and able to work across sites in Tiptree (primary base), Sudbury and Buckhatch (full driving licence and own vehicle)
Preferred
- NEBOSH Diploma, NCRQ Level 6, or NVQ equivalent
- Experience within an independent or family business, or a business with a varied mix of roles and environments
- Demonstrable use of tools such as Canva, Loom, and AI to improve systems, processes, and internal communications
- Experience working across multiple sites and with frontline, customer‑facing teams
Salary
There is an annual salary of between £50,000 – £60,000 per annum on offer, dependent on skills, qualifications and experience.
In addition, there is also a generous staff discount, paid sick leave, 30 days annual leave entitlement (inclusive of bank holidays), an annual bonus, employee assistance programme, and opportunities for ongoing training and development.
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