Graduate Trainee Health & Safety Advisor

Who are we?

At Henderson Group, we are proud to be Northern Ireland’s leading foodservice provider. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Group Property. We employ over 5,000 staff and have been placed 4th in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2023.

We're a family-owned team that cares about our people and the community in which we live. Our leaders care about employees and our employees succeed together and celebrate the success of others. We are interested in your aspirations, interests and skills and we strive to support and inspire you to do well.

A look into the role

Henderson Group supply goods to over 450 stores across various brands such as SPAR, EUROSPAR and VIVO in Northern Ireland. We achieved Gold accreditation against the Investors in People standard framework in 2023 in recognition of people management excellence and our commitment to investment in people.

Our Health and Safety team provide a comprehensive, professional and customer focused advisory service on health, safety and wellbeing across the Group which employs over 5000 people. They ensure compliance with legislation and best practice across a wide range of working environments including warehousing, driving, public facing retail stores and offices.

The purpose of this graduate scheme is to develop the successful candidate in the world of Health and safety management by gaining first-hand experience in compliance with legislation and best practice, whilst working in a busy operation.

The candidate will do rotations across several functions within the Health and Safety team over a two-year period, gaining a range of different experiences which will aid your personal and career development.

In the role of Graduate Trainee Health and Safety Advisor, you will:

• Travel throughout our estate across Northern Ireland, carrying out audits and inspections.
• Detect existing or potential hazards and develop, implement and monitor corrective or preventative measure action plans.
• Log and investigate all accidents, incidents and near misses involving employees, suppliers and customers.
• Ensure RIDDOR accidents are reported to relevant authority as required. 
• Liaise with the Claims Manager in the preparation of materials and evidence for use in hearings, lawsuits and insurance investigations. 
• Provide statistical analysis of accident/incident numbers, types and trends.
• Assist and co-ordinate health promotion activities as part of the Group Well Aware initiative.
• Provide expert advice, best practice, and guidance to our team across the group to create a culture of awareness and positive action.

Skills for Success

Joining us as Business Development Executive the minimum criteria you’ll need is:

• A degree qualification at 2:1 or above, in Environmental health or any health and safety related degree or equivalent. 
• Full driving licence, access to own transport with a willingness and flexibility to travel to sites on a regular basis. 
• Up to date knowledge of current health and safety legislation and best practise.
• Proficient using MS Office packages.

The Attributes you’ll need include:

• Willingness to study and complete NEBOSH qualification which will be funded by the company
• A ‘can do’ outcome focused attitude and approach, resourceful and works to make things happen taking others along with them. 
• Driven to improve performance and deliver outstanding results through new, innovative and more effective ways of working. 
• An ability to apply a commercial and pragmatic approach to providing health and safety solutions.
• Be innovative, persuasive and a good relationship builder with the ability to work collaboratively with a variety of colleagues at all levels across a diverse organisation. 
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to persuade, influence and, when appropriate, challenge with tact and diplomacy.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail. 
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage your own diary and prioritise effectively. 
• Self-motivated, dedicated to achieving results with genuine enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

It is desirable if you have:

• Previous experience within a dedicated health and safety role or placement. 

Are we right for you?

As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by.

Ambition – We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.

Customer First – We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.

Teamwork – We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.

Integrity – We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.

The Reward

The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business supporting defibrillator installations and school sports days. In the last year Henderson group staff and retail stores raised over £1 million for charity partners.

You will have the balance necessary to enjoy your job and your life. We will help you to feel proud of what you do and achieve. And we will be here to celebrate your success.

Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment. We value employee development and heavily invest in our people.

Benefits include market competitive salary, contributory pension scheme, healthcare, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, Perks Offers/Discount scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more.

This is a full-time position working 36.5 hours per week. Working hours will be 8:45am-4:45pm Monday to Thursday and 8:45am-3:45pm Friday. Hybrid and flexible working arrangement available.

If you'd like to speak with us before making your application, our Talent Acquisition Specialist - Joanne McClelland would be happy to have a confidential chat with you about the role on offer - email joanne.mcclelland@henderson-group.com to get in touch.