There’s plenty about Topps Group that might surprise you. Like the scale of our Support Office in Leicester. We have Finance, Marketing, Buying, Central Operations, HR, Property, Customer Service and IT all under one roof. Tight-knit teams of talented people working together and working hard to get things done and drive results. But then, would you expect anything less from an ambitious, dynamic, market-leading, multi-million-pound omni-channel business? 

As a member of the Topps Group Senior team, reporting into the Director of Operations and Property this role is responsible for defining, executing and driving the Group Health and Safety Strategy. You will be responsible for promoting a culture of safety first, minimising risk and reviewing and implementing health and safety policy and standards across all locations and subsidiaries of the Topps Group. This position requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and the ability to collaborate with various departments to achieve the organisation’s health and safety objectives.

CUSTOMER/ STRATEGY/ PLAN

• Define, maintain and improve Health & Safety standards and culture
• Working with the H&S Chair to set the strategic agenda over a 2–3-year timescale
• Define, drive and deliver through the relevant teams the Topps Group Health and Safety strategy. 
• Provide clear leadership and guidance to direct reports and wider teams
• Work collaboratively to deliver the strategic plan across all areas within remit
• Providing insight as well as business performance data to ensure Health and Safety is maximised.
• Monitor changes in national Health & Safety legislation and regulation
• Identify key Health & Safety priorities and advise on appropriate implementation strategies, including levels of investment to ensure compliance
• Ensure the on-going development, evolution and implementation of risk assessment processes
• Influencing senior managers on Health & Safety matters through good working relationships
• Establish appropriate methods to ensure consistent engagement of the Health & Safety team with all levels of the Topps Group.
• Continuously improve Health & Safety competencies amongst all relevant colleagues
• Drive audit methods to monitor and demonstrate compliance
• Build on and lead general safety management systems and audit frameworks for H&S management within the organisation
• Highlight as appropriate any weaknesses concerning the provision of H&S measures and statutory compliance
• Prepare and continuously review instructions, risk assessment methods, standard techniques and procedures to minimise H&S risks and improve guidelines on H&S

PEOPLE/ LEADERSHIP

• To take the lead on driving an organisation wide safety culture through collaborative approach
• To lead a team of 4 and any direct reports and provide wider leadership across the business
• To inspire teams through the role modelling of expectations with a health and safety led approach
• To plan succession and development of all colleagues within the parameters of agreed company frameworks
• Recruit, train and retain great people who demonstrate the right capabilities and behaviours
• To create a highly engaged team that use accountability to deliver outstanding levels of performance

FINANCIAL/ COMMERCIALS

• Effectively manage the P&L within allocated budget to deliver agreed plan
• Preparation and management of the H&S budget
• Negotiation of competitive value for money services from third party suppliers

RISK/ PROCESS

• Manage and mitigate Health and Safety including fire risks across the business
• Role model a health and safety-first culture
• Lead the team in ensuring the group has relevant Health & Safety training package for all colleagues
• Review/audit of processes involved in new store construction and store refits under CDM
• Review/audit of policy for management of contractors
• Complete review and recommendation of current MH provisions with objective to reduce injury risks further.

ESSENTIAL

• Previous track record and experience in a senior Health & Safety role ideally from the Retail and/or Logistics sector
• Excellent working knowledge of Health & Safety legislation
• IT literate to a high degree
• Chartered Membership of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
• A qualification in general or construction Health and Safety law and practice recognised by IOSH or the British Safety Council to at least NEBOSH Diploma level or equivalent
• Excellent interpersonal skills coupled with an ability to build and develop strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders up to Director level
• Strong people management experience with an ability to develop and coach direct reports
• Proven track record of successfully implementing H&S practises to ensure the business remains compliant
• Significant experience of managing supplier relationships and contracts/SLA’s
• Energy, drive and proactive with a sense of urgency
• Confidence and gravitas to challenge and push back when necessary – influencing people at all levels
• Excellent time management, planning and organisational skills
• Able to work independently to deadlines and under pressure with confidence whilst maintaining accuracy and attention to detail
• Experience in constructing and delivering presentations to various levels including the PLC Board.
• Commercial awareness and exceptional customer focus