Qual, Health & Saf. Specialist

Role summary

Americold Whitchurch is looking for a QEHS Specialist to lead on‑site Quality, Food Safety, Environmental Management and Health & Safety. You will ensure compliance with legal, customer and certification requirements, maintain continuous audit readiness, and strengthen QEHS culture across all operations. A hands‑on role for an experienced QEHS professional who enjoys working closely with operational teams in a regulated environment.

Key responsibilities

Quality & food safety leadership

• Maintain and improve the site QMS • Ensure compliance with legal, customer and certification requirements
• Lead HACCP, TACCP and VACCP activities
• Drive continuous improvement in food safety and hygiene

HACCP leadership

• Lead HACCP reviews, validation and verification
• Maintain HACCP studies and coordinate the HACCP Team
• Ensure strong operational implementation of food safety controls

Audit readiness & certification

• Maintain continuous audit readiness
• Lead internal audits and manage corrective actions
• Coordinate customer, certification and regulatory audits (BRCGS S&D)
• Act as primary site representative during external audits

Regulatory & customer compliance

• Support regulatory inspections and compliance documentation
• Manage customer standards and technical requirements
• Participate in customer visits, audits and technical reviews

Environmental management

• Maintain compliance with environmental legislation
• Monitor waste, recycling and sustainability programmes
• Conduct environmental inspections and support incident investigations

Health & safety support

• Coordinate site Health & Safety activities
• Support safe systems of work and contractor management
• Lead incident investigations and corrective action follow‑up
• Deliver or coordinate key safety training

Qualifications & experience

Education & professional background

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Quality, Environmental or H&S
• 5+ years’ experience in QEHS, Food Safety, Quality or H&S (food, FMCG or logistics)
• Strong experience with BRCGS S&D and HACCP
• Experience in food manufacturing, logistics, cold chain or warehousing
• Proven HACCP leadership and TACCP/VACCP experience

Technical & functional skills

• Solid understanding of UK food safety, H&S and environmental legislation
• Skilled in internal auditing, RCA and corrective action management
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience leading certification, customer and internal audits
• HACCP Level 3/4; Lead Auditor preferred

Leadership & personal attributes

• Structured, detail‑focused and reliable
• Strong communicator and influencer
• Analytical, proactive and solution‑oriented
• Calm and confident in regulated environments