EHS Manager Recruitment

What the role involves

• Developing and maintaining ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems to certification standard, managing the internal audit schedule and ensuring corrective action closure before external certification audits
• Conducting and reviewing risk assessments, COSHH assessments, and DSEAR assessments across site operations, prioritising by risk rating and tracking completion of associated control measures through to verified close-out
• Investigating accidents, near misses, and dangerous occurrences, identifying root causes, and implementing preventative measures, including the preparation of RIDDOR notifications to the HSE where legally required
• Managing the site relationship with the HSE, Environment Agency, and local authorities
• Delivering EHS training programmes, safety inductions, and safety culture improvement initiatives
• Reporting EHS KPIs and preparing mandatory environmental and safety statutory reports

Who employers are looking for

NEBOSH National Diploma is the gold standard qualification for EHS manager appointments; NEBOSH General Certificate as a minimum with significant practical experience is acceptable for smaller-site roles. IOSH membership is the professional home for most UK safety professionals, the GradIOSH to CMIOSH pathway is the recognised career development route, and CMIOSH chartered status adds 10 - 15% to market value at comparable experience levels.

ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 lead auditor qualifications are expected at EHS manager level. COMAH regulations knowledge is essential for chemical, petrochemical, and major hazard site appointments, these roles carry additional statutory responsibility and attract correspondingly higher salaries. IEMA Associate or Full membership covers the environmental dimension for sites where waste, emissions, and environmental reporting are significant.

Beyond qualifications, the most effective EHS managers combine technical regulatory knowledge with the interpersonal skills to build safety culture through engagement rather than enforcement alone. The ability to influence production managers and site directors who are under output pressure, while maintaining non-negotiable safety standards, is what separates strong EHS managers from those who simply process paperwork.

Sector differences matter significantly in this role. In chemical and petrochemical manufacturing, COMAH Regulations familiarity is non-negotiable. Major hazard site EHS managers must understand process hazard analysis, safety case management, and the statutory relationship with the HSE's COMAH Competent Authority. This is a distinct body of knowledge that cannot be acquired quickly, and employers hiring for major hazard sites will assess it thoroughly. In construction materials or heavy industry, noise-induced hearing loss programmes, vibration, and occupational health monitoring are core competencies alongside the standard safety toolkit.

EHS manager supply in UK manufacturing is tighter than it appears. CMIOSH chartered EHS managers with NEBOSH Diploma and relevant sector experience represent a relatively small candidate pool, and those with additional COMAH or IEMA credentials are in genuine short supply. The ESG reporting agenda has increased board-level scrutiny on environmental performance, adding scope to the role and raising salary expectations at senior appointments.

Salary benchmarks

COMAH-regulated and major hazard site EHS managers command a premium. CMIOSH chartered status adds 10 - 15% above unchartered equivalents. Group EHS Director roles in larger manufacturers reach £80,000 - £100,000+.

Industries that hire EHS Managers

• Chemical and process manufacturing: COMAH, ATEX, and major hazard site management with statutory safety case obligations
• Automotive: complex multi-hazard manufacturing environments with demanding OEM customer safety performance requirements
• Construction materials and heavy industry: dust, noise, and manual handling management in physically demanding environments
• Food and drink: hygiene, temperature control, and food safety crossover with EHS compliance across large workforces
• Pharmaceuticals: occupational exposure limits for active pharmaceutical ingredients and controlled substance handling requirements

Related roles

• Quality Manager: peer function head with shared audit responsibilities and overlapping compliance culture objectives
• Maintenance Manager: key partner on permit-to-work systems, statutory inspection programmes, and safe systems of work
• Operations Manager: line manager or senior peer who sets the operational context within which EHS standards must be maintained
• Plant Manager: site accountable person for EHS compliance and the executive sponsor for safety culture development

Where we place EHS Manager professionals

We place EHS manager professionals across the UK. Browse by location or register your CV for roles that match your experience.