QHSE Compliance Manager

QHSE Compliance Manager - Manufacturing & Engineering

Nottingham (Multi-site with UK travel)
£60,000 + Bonus (typically 7.5-10%) + Fully Expensed Travel
High Autonomy and Senior Leadership Exposure

This is a high-impact QHSE leadership opportunity within a long-established, growing engineering and manufacturing group supplying into safety-critical and regulated sectors. The business has strong foundations, established ISO certifications, and a safety-first culture - but now needs a dedicated QHSE / Compliance Manager to take full ownership, streamline systems, lead audits, and drive the next phase of compliance maturity across multiple sites.

This role is not about maintaining the status quo - it's about shaping, improving, and embedding best-in-class QHSE standards across the organisation. You'll report directly to the Managing Director and be given the authority and backing to make meaningful change.

The Opportunity
QHSE responsibilities are currently spread across teams and supported by external consultants. The business now wants to bring leadership fully in-house and appoint someone who can take control, create structure, and build a more integrated compliance framework. Within 12 months, this role is expected to evolve - with improved systems, clearer ownership, and stronger cross-site alignment driven by you. This is ideal for someone who enjoys building, influencing, and leading from the front.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage QHSE and regulatory compliance across manufacturing sites
• Own and develop ISO systems including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001
• Lead internal and external audits and certification programmes
• Drive rollout of additional certifications across sites
• Integrate satellite sites into the central compliance framework
• Manage audit schedules, corrective actions, and compliance registers
• Strengthen health & safety practices within heavy machinery and production environments
• Conduct risk assessments for equipment, processes, and new installations
• Improve inspection and reporting structures
• Review and streamline complaint and quality issue workflows
• Develop and update policies, SOPs, and compliance procedures
• Liaise with regulators and certification bodies
• Build strong working relationships across production, engineering, and design teams
• Support gradual transition away from external compliance consultants

The Environment

• Engineering & heavy manufacturing setting
• Machinery, production, and assembly operations
• Multi-site UK footprint plus small international design function
• Supplying into regulated and infrastructure sectors
• Strong operational backbone with leadership committed to compliance investment

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in QHSE / Compliance leadership within manufacturing or engineering
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001 essential
• ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 experience highly desirable
• NEBOSH qualification strongly preferred
• Experience in machinery, production, or technical environments
• Confident leading audits and certification processes
• Strong communicator who can influence at shop-floor and senior levels
• Comfortable working cross-functionally without large direct teams
• Practical, visible, hands-on leadership style
• Able to travel between sites and stay overnight when required
• Someone who wants ownership and the freedom to improve systems

This could suit an experienced QHSE Manager or a senior advisor ready to step up into a broader leadership remit.