Health, Safety & Environmental Manager

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Location: On site - Loanhead, Edinburgh

Flexible Working Options: 4- or 5-day week

Contract Type: Permanent

Health, Safety & Environmental Manager

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) Manager to lead and develop HSE performance across the business. This is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring compliance with legislation and ISO standards, driving continuous improvement, and strengthening a positive safety culture across a complex operational environment.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated HSE professional who thrives in manufacturing and engineering settings and is confident influencing stakeholders at all levels. You will play a central role in embedding best practice, reducing operational risk, and supporting safe, compliant, and efficient operations.

About Us

MacTaggart Scott supports the Naval Defence industry, delivering complete engineering solutions from initial customer requirements through to design, manufacture, commissioning, and through-life support. Established in 1898, we combine heritage with continuous improvement and a commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and safety at every level of the organisation.

What is the job about?

The HSE Manager is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and continual improvement of the organisation's health, safety, and environmental management systems. You will ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 standards while promoting a proactive safety culture across all business areas.

Working closely with Directors, Managers, Supervisors, and employees, you will provide competent HSE leadership, support risk reduction, oversee incident management, and ensure effective governance and compliance assurance across operational activities. You will also directly manage Health & Safety Officers, providing leadership, direction, and development to ensure consistent delivery of HSE support across the business.

Success in this role comes from your ability to influence behaviour, improve systems, and ensure HSE is fully embedded into day-to-day operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and continually improve HSE management systems, ensuring compliance with legislation, ACOPs, and ISO 45001 / 14001 standards
• Act as competent HSE lead for the business, providing guidance and support to Directors, Managers, Supervisors, and employees
• Manage and develop Health & Safety Officers, ensuring effective delivery of operational HSE support
• Drive a positive safety culture through engagement, coaching, and workforce involvement initiatives
• Lead investigations into incidents, accidents, and near misses, ensuring root cause analysis and corrective actions are implemented
• Conduct audits, inspections, and compliance reviews, ensuring risks are identified and addressed
• Monitor, analyse, and report on HSE performance, identifying trends and improvement opportunities
• Develop and deliver HSE training, inductions, and toolbox talks across the organisation
• Ensure contractor compliance, including review of RAMS, documentation, and safe systems of work
• Oversee emergency preparedness, including fire safety arrangements, drills, and response planning
• Manage PPE provision, HSE documentation, reporting systems, and associated budgets and purchase orders
• Chair or support HSE Committee meetings and contribute to governance and compliance reporting

Essential

• Strong communication and influencing skills across all organisational levels
• Proven ability to develop and embed a positive safety culture
• Strong knowledge of UK HSE legislation, ACOPs, and regulatory requirements
• Experience in manufacturing, engineering, defence, or other high risk environments
• Experience with ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems
• Experience in incident investigation, root cause analysis, and corrective actions
• Experience conducting audits, inspections, and compliance assessments
• Ability to work independently with strong prioritisation and judgement
• Strong stakeholder management skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and digital reporting systems

Desirable

• Previous HSE leadership or managerial experience
• Experience driving behavioural safety and cultural change programmes
• Experience supporting organisational change or improvement initiatives
• Defence, naval, or heavy engineering sector experience

Qualifications

Essential

• Full UK Driving Licence
• NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent Level 6 qualification)
• Lead Auditor qualification (ISO 45001 / 14001)

Desirable

• NEBOSH Certificate or related qualifications
• Chartered IOSH (CMIOSH) or working towards
• Formal investigation training (ICAM, TapRooT or similar)

Your Future at MacTaggart Scott - What We Offer

• Flexible Working: Choose a 4- or 5-day week with flexible hours (07:00-19:00, core hours 09:30-15:30).
• Comprehensive Leave Policy including annual leave, paid parental leave, and military reservist leave.
• Career Development & Learning Support through our dedicated Learning and Development team.
• Wellbeing Programmes including an Employee Assistance Programme, online wellbeing resources, and onsite nurse.
• Health & Lifestyle Benefits such as life insurance, sick pay, free flu jabs, and a cycle to work scheme.
• Financial & Recognition Rewards including a company pension and a generous employee referral scheme.
• Convenience & Facilities: free onsite parking, canteen, and employee discounts.