Process Safety Manager
About the company
The Opportunity A major international manufacturer in the highly regulated chemical sector is seeking an experienced Process Safety Manager.
Its established South Liverpool facility is undergoing significant growth and transformation, supported by investment in manufacturing capability, infrastructure and major engineering projects.
Why Consider This Opportunity? This is an opportunity to take on a genuinely influential technical leadership role within an established international manufacturer at an important stage of its development.
Your tasks
As Process Safety Manager, you will take technical ownership of process safety across the site, shaping engineering decisions, strengthening existing systems and ensuring process safety is central to future investment and operational development.
Reporting directly to the Engineering Director, you will combine technical leadership with strategic engineering projects, manage two specialist engineers and work closely with Engineering, Operations and HSE.
You will act as the site's principal process safety technical authority across existing operations and future engineering developments.
Around 40–50% of the role will focus on strategic projects and capital investment, with the remainder dedicated to managing process safety across the operating facility.
Key responsibilities include
- Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of process safety standards, systems and governance across the site.
- Act as the responsible person for Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR), overseeing the management, inspection and ongoing compliance of pressure systems.
- Provide technical leadership on ATEX/DSEAR, including risks associated with flammable substances, chemical processing and combustible powders.
- Oversee COMAH requirements, ensuring major accident hazards are identified, assessed and effectively controlled.
- Lead and facilitate HAZID, HAZOP and other process hazard assessments, ensuring appropriate risk reduction measures are implemented.
- Integrate human factors into process safety management, including human error, safety-critical tasks, operating procedures and interaction with plant and equipment.
- Provide technical assurance for plant modifications, new equipment installations and capital projects, acting as a key authority in management of change.
- Work with Engineering, Manufacturing Operations and HSE to embed process safety in plant design, operational practices and investment decisions.
- Manage and develop a Process Safety Engineer and a Process Engineer, providing technical direction and supporting their development.
With growth and investment planned, you will shape site-wide process safety standards, influence major engineering decisions and strengthen systems supporting future operations.
Unlike positions focused predominantly on maintaining compliance, this role combines hands-on technical authority, strategic project involvement and leadership, with the autonomy to drive meaningful improvements. There is also potential for longer-term progression into broader senior HSE leadership responsibilities.
Requirements
We are seeking an experienced process safety professional with a strong technical foundation in chemical engineering, process engineering or a closely related discipline.
You will have worked with hazardous processes and substances, with the credibility to influence operational teams, engineers and senior management.
Essential experience and capabilities
- Substantial process safety experience within chemical manufacturing, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals or another relevant major-hazard processing environment.
- A strong understanding of COMAH principles and the identification and management of major accident hazards.
- Practical experience leading, facilitating or making significant technical contributions to HAZID, HAZOP and process risk assessments.
- Demonstrable ATEX/DSEAR knowledge, including hazardous areas and risks involving chemical, liquid or powder-processing operations.
- Strong understanding of process safety principles, engineering risk management and management of change.
- The ability to provide clear technical guidance, challenge engineering decisions constructively and influence stakeholders at different levels.
Practical PSSR experience and knowledge of human factors would be advantageous, along with previous people management responsibility. However, applications are also welcomed from technically strong senior specialists ready to take on greater leadership responsibility.
Don't Meet Every Requirement? If you have substantial process safety experience within a major-hazard manufacturing environment and meet most of the technical requirements, we'd still encourage you to apply. Some specialist knowledge or regulatory experience can be developed, provided you bring the core technical expertise and engineering judgement needed for the role.
What we offer
*Salary: Up to £90,000 + 12% Bonus Benefits:** 10–13% Employer Pension, Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Income Protection and Long-Term Incentive Plan
- Basic salary up to £90,000, dependent on experience
- 12% annual performance bonus
- Employer pension contribution of 10%, increasing to 13%
- BUPA private medical insurance
- Life assurance of eight times annual salary
- Income protection, with enhanced cover options
- 25 days' annual leave, increasing to 28 days, plus bank holidays
- Long-term incentive stock plan
- Company sick pay scheme
How to apply
If you are an experienced Process Safety Manager, Senior Process Safety Engineer or technically focused process engineering professional seeking greater ownership and influence over engineering investment, we'd welcome a confidential conversation.
Apply today or contact Innova Search & Selection for further information.