Sherrington is delighted to be appointed as the retained search partner for leading global provider of essential minerals, Compass Minerals, in their search to appoint a Head of SHEQ.
Compass Minerals
200 Million years ago, when the Earth's surface was unrecognisable from the way we see it now, Cheshire was located beneath the seabed of a huge ocean. Over many thousands of years these oceans evaporated, leaving behind the salt as gigantic deposits. This salt was buried deeper and deeper by the continual deposition of dust, earth and rock. It is this same salt which is spread on the UK's roads during Winter in order to keep them ice-free and safe for transport.
By mining more than 150m below the surface, Compass Minerals is able to extract this rock salt, crush it to suitable sizes for use, add certain products and elevate it to the surface, where they keep a healthy emergency stockpile of around half a million tonnes whilst distributing it all around the UK to be used in Winter for the safety of the population.
DeepStore
DeepStore provides expert commercial document storage and retrieval services and is the UK’s largest underground storage company. Based in Winsford, Cheshire, 150m below ground, the company was established in 1998 as an alternative use for the space created from mining millions of tonnes of rock salt in Britain’s largest salt mine – owned and operated by our parent company, Compass Minerals. In 2007, DeepStore expanded with the acquisition of a London-based document storage firm, providing us with a modern facility in the Capital and enabling us same-day document retrieval and a full range of records management services to businesses throughout the South East of England.
Head of SHEQ
A vacancy has arisen for a Head of SHEQ to be responsible for the health, safety, environment, and quality functions of both the salt mining business and document storage business across 2 sites within the UK.
As Head of SHEQ you will take responsibility for the implementation, maintenance and management of key H&S deliverables, ISO accreditation and compliance as well as the improvement of H&S, quality, and environmental performance across the business.
You will be working closely with the Operations Teams across both businesses to safely deliver projects and drive a positive H&S culture. You will be required to communicate and cooperate at all levels with stakeholders and senior management to ensure H&S objectives are delivered effectively.
Key Responsibilities
Health and Safety:
- Development and delivery of the UK SHEQ plan
- Risk Management - risk register and regular reviews and the development of risk control measures
- Accident and incident investigation – that lead to root cause and corrective and preventative actions
- Creating and maintaining policy and procedures – regularly reviewed and updated, with strong controls to ensure legal and company standards
- Compliance and Regulatory Adherence – leading audits and inspections to verify compliance – The Mines Regulations 2014
- Setting KPI’s and data tracking/reporting
- Continuous improvement - benchmarking and innovation
- Health management – monitoring
- Stakeholder engagement – building strong relationships with internal departments, contractors and external agencies (HSE)
- Health and Environment performance and compliance internal and external reporting
- Training and employee awareness – develop and deliver HSE training programs, actively promote a culture of safety, ensure all employees are aware of workplace risks and their responsibilities
- Working closely with the Learning and Development Business Partner to ensure all training requirements are met and within budget and timeframes.
- Chair Health &Safety & Committee meetings; ensure minutes and actions are recorded and communicated.
- Emergency preparedness – mock exercises and learnings
Quality Assurance:
- Deliver compliance with Quality and Compliance standards and accreditations
- Maintain accreditation: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 27001
- Oversee quality audits across both sites.
Environmental Management:
- Environmental sustainability
- Developing and implementing ESG strategies, policies, and frameworks that align with the organization's values and goals.
- Conducting thorough ESG assessments and identifying key sustainability risks, opportunities, and performance indicators.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate ESG practices across various business functions, including operations, human resources, and finance.
- Monitoring and reporting on ESG performance, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, industry standards, and reporting frameworks.
- Staying updated on emerging ESG trends, best practices, and regulatory developments to drive continuous
Leadership & Strategic Competencies
- Strategic Planning - Aligning SHEQ initiatives with organisational goals. - Driving long-term improvements in SHEQ culture.
- Change Management - Leading cultural and procedural change across departments. - Managing resistance and fostering engagement.
- Team Leadership - Coaching and mentoring SHEQ teams. - Building cross-functional collaboration.
- Stakeholder Engagement - Communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders. - Influencing senior leadership and operational teams.
Operational & Analytical Competencies
- Performance Monitoring - Developing KPIs and dashboards for SHEQ performance. - Data analysis and reporting to senior management.
- Training & Development - Designing and delivering SHEQ training programs. - Promoting continuous learning and compliance.
- Audit & Inspection - Leading internal and external audits. - Ensuring readiness for regulatory inspections.
Personal Attributes
- Attention to Detail - Precision in documentation, reporting, and compliance.
- Problem-Solving - Quick and effective resolution of SHEQ issues.
- Resilience & Adaptability - Ability to perform under pressure and adapt to changing regulations.
- Ethical Judgment - Commitment to integrity and ethical business practices.
Skills & Experience
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Occupational Safety or NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma for Occupational Health & Safety Management Professionals.
- Extensive knowledge of health and safety legislation and compliance.
- Proven experience in SHEQ leadership and team management within heavy plant industry or manufacturing environments.
- Strong safety leadership skills with effective communication across all levels.
- Experience managing multi-site SHEQ operations.
Remuneration
The role of Head of SHEQ will command a generous basic salary of circa £80,000 per annum (depending on experience).
Benefits:
- 26 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Pension up to total of 20% (12% employee 8% employer)
- Discretionary bonus of up to 15%.
- On site medicals- annual medical for all employees
- Eye tests and basic frame prescriptions
- Employee assistance programme (for employees and people with whom the live) - access to counselling, alcohol and drug issues, childcare support, tax information, housing concerns, stress and anxiety, bereavement, retirement etc.
- Bike and Technology scheme
- Private healthcare including discounted gym membership with Nuffield health
- Life assurance- 4 x salary
- Financial Planning offering
- Annual comprehensive BUPA medical
- Octopus Electric Car Scheme offering after one years service
- Development Training on offer
To Apply
Please email your latest CV to the retained search consultant below, quoting Job Reference: RM413.
Joe Onions - Executive Search Consultant
joe.onions@sherringtonassociates.co.uk
