About DB Cargo

DB Cargo UK, headquartered in Doncaster, is the leading UK rail freight operator and part of the DB Cargo Group, which generated €4.1 billion in revenue with 30,000 employees across 17 national companies in FY2023. The company provides safe, sustainable and innovative logistics solutions, connecting supply chains to domestic and European markets.

Serving a diverse customer base, DB Cargo UK operates from over 130 UK locations with c2,000 employees. The business delivers construction materials, finished vehicles, bulk materials and containerised goods, while also maintaining rail infrastructure and offering services for scheduled passenger operators. Rail freight contributes c£2.5bn to the UK economy each year, delivering £1.65bn in benefits to customers.

The Role

The Safety Director is responsible for providing professional leadership in health, safety and environmental matters across all levels of the UK organisation. This role ensures compliance with relevant international and UK regulations, fosters a strong and positive HSE culture, maintains safety certifications and keeps the safety management system up-to-date and effective. Additionally, the role involves overseeing the development and implementation of company standards, rules and procedures related to operations, safety, security, emergency planning and business continuity.

• Ensure safety certification, regulatory compliance, and maintain quality and environmental standards (DIN EN ISO 45001, 9001, 14001, ISO 28000).
• Develop and maintain a robust safety management system, establishing standards for safety, security, emergency planning, and environment.
• Act as the Director Responsible for Security (DReS) and collaborate with managers for continuous improvement in health, safety, and wellbeing management.
• Mentor and inspire the team, fostering a relentless and uncompromising HSE culture and ensuring effective leadership, workforce allocation, and performance

The Person

This is a role well suited to a safety leader from within the rail or safety critical heavy industrial sectors. The Safety Director will be an inspiring safety practitioner, able to engage all levels of the organisation to ensure an embedded and sustainable safety first culture.

The successful candidate is likely to have;

• Relevant safety qualifications (Minimum NEBOSH General Certificate) and working towards Chartered membership of IOSH (CMIOSH or above) or CEng equivalent.
• Proven track record in developing and implementing health and safety processes.
• Excellent understanding of legal and regulatory requirements and management systems, with experience in completing health and safety management audits against OHSAS 45001 and ISO 14001 and implementing action plan to meet audit findings.
• Remarkable interpersonal skills with experience in training, coaching, and mentoring employees to enhance health and safety expertise.
• Driven, fact-based leadership mindset with resilience and flexibility.
• Ability to integrate health and safety requirements into daily operations effectively.
• Willingness to travel throughout the UK.

Location and Package

With 130 locations across the UK, there is flexibility to where you are based. However, you will be expected to travel on a regular basis to the Doncaster HQ as well as to other key locations across the country on a regular basis.

In order to attract the best talent in the market, DB Cargo will offer a competitive package which will include an attractive base salary plus car allowance and an excellent bonus with further additional benefits.

For an informal and confidential discussion, please speak with our advisors at Berwick Partners:

Colin Roope

Associate Partner - Manufacturing and Engineering Practice

T: +44 (0) 203 7442023

M: +44 (0) 7989 410186