Head of Operational Safety

Head of Operational Safety – GXO Logistics, Inc.

Location:

Northampton, England, United Kingdom

Seniority level:
Director

Employment type:

Full-time

Job function:
Management and Manufacturing;
Industries:
Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage

Are you at the top of your game? Do you live, eat and breathe all things Health & Safety? Looking for that role that will allow you to use your experience and shape the future? Here at GXO, we are looking for a Head of Operational Safety to join our UK&I Team. This is a director level, high‑stakes role and we are super flexible on where you are located as there is significant travel involved.

You’ll provide strategic leadership for operational safety, enabling the achievement of world‑class performance executed through business and functional strategies ensuring compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations while embedding a proactive safety culture. You’ll drive continuous improvement, risk mitigation, and operational excellence through strong governance, stakeholder engagement, and innovation. You’ll provide assurance to the business on safety performance and compliance and proactive leadership in seeking out emerging issues;

lead the development and implementation of safety frameworks for core business activities, ensuring compliance, managing risks, and responding effectively to incidents. Working with the EU/UKI QHSSSE Leadership team to define and deliver “Safety Basics” while overseeing investigations, maintaining regulatory adherence, and integrating safety into all operational processes.

• Define and implement operational safety strategy aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements
• In collaboration with Head of Compliance and others, develop and maintain robust safety policies, standards, and governance processes across all operations that are in line with legislation, seeking out industry and wider good practices
• Monitor and review the risk profile ensuring proactive measures, implement effective controls and resilience measures; and act swiftly where reactive support is required. Use the risk profile to focus strategy, investment and general business decision‑making. Develop & implement risk‑based programmes of activity based on the risk profile. Ensure HSE critical controls are identified and managed
• Lead major incident investigations, ensuring protocols followed and relevant resource available
• Compliance Oversight, Continuous Improvement, Stakeholder Engagement, Team Leadership, Reporting and Assurance, Project Delivery

• Proven experience leading safety‑critical operations in complex, fast‑moving environments. Demonstrated senior‑level health and safety leadership, with a strong track record of developing and implementing impactful safety strategies within relevant industries (e.g. logistics, construction, manufacturing).
• A clear head under pressure, decisive leadership skills, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders across different cultures and business areas to drive change and embed a safety culture across the organisation
• A strong working knowledge of safety legislation, incident reporting frameworks, and duty of care practices
• A degree in a relevant field (e.g., environmental health, occupational safety and health)
• Professional certification: NEBOSH Diploma (Level 6) or IOSH Diploma in Occupational Safety and IOSH membership
• Prince 2 or Lean Six Sigma Practitioner preferred
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, & Co‑Pilot)
• Working knowledge of management systems including OHSAS 45001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001
• UK Category B Driver’s Licence with ability to travel by sea, air, rail, and tunnel
• Willingness to work unsociable hours and overnight stays when required and ability to pass CRB checks and driving assessments
• Fit to work in high‑risk environments (food, magnetic fields, confined spaces, at height)

We’re looking to offer a very competitive salary and 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays). Your benefits package includes a company car or car allowance at £595.00 pcm, a…