Quality, Health & Safety Manager
Location: Liverpool
Salary: Up to £70,000 + Benefits
Reporting to: Managing Director
The Role
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will take full ownership of establishing and embedding the Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental (QHSE) management systems across a biochemical manufacturing site.
This is a rare opportunity to build QHSE frameworks from the ground up developing the culture, systems, and standards that will underpin future growth and success.
You will ensure all operations, including production, downstream processing and utilities, are safe, compliant, and aligned with our mission to produce sustainable food ingredients responsibly.
Establishing Site Systems & Standards
- Lead the implementation of a comprehensive QHSE Management System from the ground up, ensuring alignment with GMP, ISO 9001, ISO 22000, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 principles.
- Develop all necessary policies, procedures, risk assessments, permits, and training materials to ensure safety and compliance of the facility.
- Design and execute the site commissioning safety plan, working closely with engineering, operations, and R&D teams.
- Establish internal audit frameworks, documentation control systems, and quality reporting tools suitable for a new, fast-evolving operation.
Quality Leadership
- Build and maintain the site’s Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure compliance with food-grade and chemical manufacturing standards.
- Oversee QA/QC activities during process commissioning and routine production, ensuring raw materials and final products meet specification.
- Develop and manage technical quality controls and analytical verification processes.
- Lead investigations, root cause analysis and CAPA implementation for non-conformances.
Health, Safety & Environmental Management
- Develop and implement site-wide Health & Safety procedures ensuring compliance with HASAWA, MHSWR, COSHH, DSEAR, PUWER
- Establish and monitor safe systems of work for engineering, fermentation, biochemical handling, and downstream processing operations (including PTW, SOP, RAMS).
- Conduct risk assessments, HACCP reviews, and safety audits to ensure safe plant operation from day one.
- Lead emergency response planning, permit-to-work systems, and environmental management controls.
- Build an engaged, proactive safety culture through coaching, training, and visible leadership.
Strategic and Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with R&D, Engineering, and Operations to integrate QHSE into every stage of process development and scale-up.
- Advise senior leadership on compliance, risk management and regulatory requirements relevant to food and chemical manufacturing.
- Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure quality, safety and environmental performance across the business.
About You
We are seeking a proactive, technically strong and highly collaborative professional with experience implementing QHSE systems on a new or expanding chemical or bioprocessing site:
- Significant QHSE management experience within a (bio)chemical manufacturing, bioprocessing or fermentation environment – essential.
- Proven track record of establishing and embedding new systems, policies and procedures to support site commissioning or scale-up.
- Strong working knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation (HASAWA, MHSWR COSHH, DSEAR, PUWER) and Quality Management Systems (GMP, ISO 9001, ISO 22000, ISO 45001, ISO 14001).
- Excellent understanding of process safety principles and environmental compliance.
- Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and inspire across multidisciplinary teams.
- A degree in Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemistry, (Bio)Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Environmental Science or a related field.
- Essential - NEBOSH General certificate, Preferable - NEBOSH Diploma, Preferable - Advanced HACCP – Level 4
- A passion for innovation, sustainability, and building a world-class safety and quality culture from the ground up.
What's On Offer
- Competitive salary (£65,000–£70,000).
- Opportunity to shape and lead QHSE systems on a brand-new site.
- A collaborative, mission-led culture focused on sustainability and innovation.
- Direct reporting line to the Managing Director and influence at senior leadership level.
- A chance to make a tangible impact in a pioneering food technology company.
