A Regional Head of Food, Health & Safety is a senior strategic leader responsible for safeguarding people, products, and reputation across a multi-site geographic area. This high-impact profession sits at the intersection of compliance, operations, and culture, ensuring that all locations within a region adhere to the highest standards of food safety and occupational health. Professionals in these jobs are the cornerstone of risk management, designing and implementing systems that prevent incidents, ensure legal compliance, and foster an environment where safety and wellbeing are fundamental values. The core responsibility of a Regional Head is to develop and execute a comprehensive regional safety strategy that aligns with broader organizational goals. This involves translating high-level policies into consistent, actionable procedures for diverse operational teams. A typical day might involve reviewing performance metrics from multiple sites, providing expert coaching to local safety managers, and advising regional directors on risk mitigation. Leadership is a central pillar of the role, as individuals directly manage a team of Food, Health & Safety Managers, focusing on their professional development and ensuring a unified, capable team delivers excellence across the territory. Key duties universally include overseeing major incident investigations to identify root causes and prevent recurrence, and conducting rigorous risk assessments for both workplace hazards and food safety processes. They are accountable for monitoring and reporting on key performance indicators, using data to drive continuous improvement and inform executive decision-making. A significant part of the role is also project leadership, often involving the rollout of new digital safety management systems, enhanced allergen controls, or automated reporting tools. Crucially, these leaders champion a proactive safety culture, moving beyond basic compliance to instill a sense of shared ownership where every employee feels responsible for safety and psychological wellbeing. Typical requirements for these senior jobs include a degree or post-graduate qualification in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health, Food Science, or a related field. Professional membership with bodies like IOSH, CIEH, or IIRSM is commonly expected. Candidates must possess an in-depth, current knowledge of relevant legislation (e.g., HASAWA, Food Safety Act) and industry best practices. Beyond technical expertise, exceptional soft skills are non-negotiable: superior communication and influencing abilities to engage stakeholders at all levels, proven leadership and people management skills, and a demonstrated aptitude for leading change and driving systemic improvement. For those seeking to shape safety culture on a regional scale, these jobs offer a challenging and critically important career path at the leadership level.
