QHSE & Compliance Manager – Chemical Manufacturing

About the role

Reporting to the Head of Technical, you will lead all Quality, Health, Safety, Environmental and Chemical Compliance activities on a chemical manufacturing site, ensuring full regulatory compliance and promoting a strong safety‑first culture.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and maintain the ISO 9001 Quality Management System, ensuring product quality, traceability and documentation control.
• Lead internal and external audits (customer, supplier, certification) and drive corrective actions.
• Investigate non‑conformances, implement CAPA and support change‑management (MOC) processes.
• Ensure compliance with UK health and safety legislation (HSE Act, COSHH, DSEAR, COMAH) and lead risk assessments, hazard identification and safe systems of work.
• Oversee Permit‑to‑Work systems, contractor safety and conduct incident and near‑miss investigations using root‑cause analysis.
• Deliver training, inductions and toolbox talks; act as site lead for emergency response and business continuity.
• Maintain the Environmental Management System, monitor waste, emissions and environmental performance, and drive improvements.
• Ensure compliance with chemical regulations (REACH, CLP, COSHH), maintain SDS, and manage classification, labelling and storage.
• Liaise with regulators (HSE, Environment Agency) and support inspections.
• Provide compliance support for new product introductions.

Required profile

• Proven experience in a QHSE role within chemical manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of UK health & safety and chemical regulations.
• Experience with ISO systems and audit processes.
• Ability to conduct risk assessments, incident investigations and lead safety initiatives.
• Right to work in the UK indefinitely (no sponsorship).

Required skills

• ISO 9001 Quality Management System
• Audit management and CAPA implementation
• Risk assessment and hazard identification
• Incident investigation and root‑cause analysis
• Permit‑to‑Work system administration
• Emergency response and business continuity planning
• Environmental Management System (EMS)
• REACH, CLP and COSHH compliance
• SDS creation, classification, labelling and storage
• Knowledge of UK legislation: HSE Act, DSEAR, COMAH