Job Title: QHSE Manager
Location: Clitheroe, Lancashire
Salary: Circa £75,000 (dependent on experience)
PLEASE NO AGENCIES OR RECRUITERS
About Bryden Precision Engineering
Bryden Precision Engineering is a CNC machining business supplying complex, high-precision components into the aerospace, defence, utilities, power and other safety-critical sectors. We are proud holders of AS9100 accreditation as we continue to grow.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a hands-on, dynamic and action-oriented QHSE Manager to lead our Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental function. This role will play a key part in driving operational excellence and supporting the next stage of our growth.
This is not a desk-bound, compliance-only role. You will be a visible presence on the shopfloor, working closely with operators, engineers and managers to:
- Drive right-first-time quality and reduce scrap, rework and customer returns
- Create and embed a proactive health & safety culture where risks are controlled and people go home safe every day.
- Maintain and improve our integrated management systems (QMS & H&S).
- Ensure legal compliance and best practice across quality, safety, health and environmental activities.
- If you enjoy solving real problems, influencing behaviour and making improvements that stick, you will thrive here.
- Lead and drive the organisation’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy and regulatory expectations.
- Establish and maintain an effective balance between Quality Control (QC) inspection and Quality Assurance (QA) activities, enabling operational flow while delivering continuous quality improvement.
- Apply Industry 4.0 principles to modernise inspection methodologies, leveraging available CAPEX investment to implement advanced, technology-driven solutions.
What You Will Be Doing
- Quality Leadership: Own and develop the company Quality Management System to meet AS9100, ISO 9001 requirements
- Plan, host and close out external audits (customers, certification bodies) and lead the internal audit programme
- Set and manage inspection and test strategies (incoming, in-process and final)
- Lead NCR and customer complaint investigations using structured problem-solving (8D, 5-Why, fishbone)
- Analyse scrap, rework, PPM and customer feedback to drive continuous improvement
- Ensure effective configuration control and full traceability for safety-critical work
- Manage supplier quality performance including approval, audits and development
- Prepare and submit FAIRs/AS9102 and customer quality documentation
- Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) Management: Take ownership of the company’s Health & Safety strategy and ensure compliance with UK legislation
- Develop, implement and maintain a robust Health & Safety Management System (aligned to ISO 45001 principles)
- Conduct and review risk assessments (RAMS), COSHH assessments and safe systems of work
- Lead incident, near miss and accident investigations, ensuring root cause is identified and corrective actions implemented
- Drive a proactive safety culture through engagement, training, toolbox talks and behavioural safety initiatives
- Ensure effective control of hazards within a machining environment (e.g. machinery safety, manual handling, substances, PPE)
- Monitor and report H&S KPIs (accident rates, near misses, audit findings, etc.) to the Senior Leadership Team
- Liaise with external bodies where required (e.g. HSE, insurers, auditors)
- Oversee environmental compliance, including waste management, spills control and sustainability initiatives
- Leadership & Continuous Improvement: Lead, coach and develop the quality and HSE function, supporting wider workforce engagement
- Provide clear, data-driven KPIs and reports to the Senior Leadership Team
- Act as a key driver of continuous improvement across both quality and safety performance
- Promote a culture of accountability, ownership and operational excellence across the business
What We’re Looking For
- Experience and Knowledge: Strong background in precision engineering / CNC machining, ideally within aerospace, defence, power or other safety-critical sectors
- Proven experience as a Quality Manager, QHSE Manager or Senior Quality Engineer with leadership responsibility
- Strong working knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001 systems
- Demonstrable experience managing Health & Safety within a manufacturing environment
- Experience implementing or managing H&S systems aligned to ISO 45001 (or equivalent)
- Hands-on shopfloor experience, comfortable resolving issues in real time
- Experience leading customer and third-party audits
- Strong understanding of root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies
- Confident reading engineering drawings (including GD&T) and use of inspection equipment
- Supplier quality experience (approval, monitoring, development)
Qualifications (Desirable)
- NEBOSH General Certificate (or equivalent) in Occupational Health & Safety
- Lead Auditor qualification (ISO 9001 / AS9100 / ISO 45001)
- Engineering or technical qualification
Skills and Behaviours
- Strong leader who sets clear expectations and holds people accountable
- Highly action-oriented with a practical, problem-solving mindset
- Excellent communicator, able to engage at all levels from shopfloor to customers
- Analytical and data-driven, using KPIs to influence decisions
- High attention to detail with a pragmatic, commercial approach
- Resilient and calm under pressure in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Passionate about continuous improvement and building a positive safety culture
What We Offer
- Opportunity to lead and shape QHSE strategy in a growing, ambitious business
- A genuine voice at the table as part of the Senior Leadership Team
- Involvement in high-profile aerospace, defence and nuclear projects
- Competitive salary and benefits package (discussed at interview)
- Ongoing training and development (auditing, Lean/CI, H&S)
To apply for the role please send a fully updated CV to our Recruitment Manager [email protected]
Pay: £65,000.00-£75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Financial planning services
- Free parking
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Private medical insurance
Work Location: In person