Group Health & Safety Assistant Adviser

at  WHSmith

At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth. That’s why our Risk & Audit team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing in order to do their best work.
The role of the Group Health & Safety Assistant Adviser is truly cross-functional. This role is to employ your expertise in managing Health and Safety practices across all areas of the Group operation, working as part of a team.
This is a great opportunity to join a rapidly growing business and play a role in managing the effectiveness of our Health and Safety and Food Hygiene governance structure within a business that is increasingly expanding its Food product range, particularly within our Travel sites. The successful candidate will be required to cover a wide geographical area, working as appropriate between our Head Office locations and visiting store and DC sites when required.

What you will be doing:

• Helping to compile, update and review Company health and safety and hygiene policies and procedures.
• Ensuring the Group remains up to date and compliant with any changes in Health and Safety/ Food Hygiene legislation and best practice.
• Responding to queries or requests for assistance from stores, DCs and other group locations in relation to any health and safety matters.
• Overseeing procedures by which compliance with all safety and hygiene legislation is monitored, principally through the review and oversight of bi-annual HASWA and food safety audits.
• Conducting unannounced site visits to review health and safety and food hygiene compliance within a sample of stores as part of a rolling programme.
• Reviewing and approving all health and safety and food hygiene training materials
• Liaising and corresponding with external monitoring bodies- including EHOs, Fire Officers and Local Authorities in respect of safety related matters.
• Working with appointed bodies to ensure our controls meet legislative and regulatory requirements.

What we are looking for:

• Someone who is used to working to conflicting deadlines, with the ability to plan and prioritise your own workload.
• Excellent communications skills and the ability to work cross functionally at all levels are essential for this role.
• Someone who is able to manage safety issues within the Retail environment.
• You will be confident in your ability to influence and challenge where necessary, whilst building and maintaining effective working relationships.

How we reward our teams:

• Hybrid Working Model from home and in the office.
• 4pm Friday Finish.
• Flexible Working.
• 24 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday.
• Family Friendly Leave.
• Company Pension scheme.
• Sharesave Scheme.
• Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance.
• Competitive Salary.
• Staff Discount Card for stores and online.

ABOUT US:

Celebrating 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 12,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.
Our UK Travel office is based in a buzzing part of central London close to Liverpool Street Station. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture. It’s perfect for people who are happy to use their initiative and embrace life outside their comfort zone.
WHSmith are proud to be an inclusive employer, we want our colleagues to feel welcome, and free to be themselves with us.

• Helping to compile, update and review Company health and safety and hygiene policies and procedures.
• Ensuring the Group remains up to date and compliant with any changes in Health and Safety/ Food Hygiene legislation and best practice.
• Responding to queries or requests for assistance from stores, DCs and other group locations in relation to any health and safety matters.
• Overseeing procedures by which compliance with all safety and hygiene legislation is monitored, principally through the review and oversight of bi-annual HASWA and food safety audits.
• Conducting unannounced site visits to review health and safety and food hygiene compliance within a sample of stores as part of a rolling programme.
• Reviewing and approving all health and safety and food hygiene training materials
• Liaising and corresponding with external monitoring bodies- including EHOs, Fire Officers and Local Authorities in respect of safety related matters.
• Working with appointed bodies to ensure our controls meet legislative and regulatory requirements