Country Security Manager - UK.

Our client is a major UK organisation operating across an extensive and diverse portfolio of industrial and operational sites, is seeking a Security Manager to establish and lead its in-house security capability.

This is a newly created, UK-wide position with responsibility for developing a future-ready, intelligence-led security function that protects people, assets and operations, mitigates evolving risks and supports organisational integrity.

The successful candidate will set the strategic direction for security, establish appropriate standards and governance, and manage external specialist suppliers. The role encompasses physical security, asset protection, fraud and theft prevention, covert operations and independent investigations into sensitive matters. This is an individual-contributor position reporting to the HSEQ Director. It will be home-based and involve significant travel across UK operations, particularly during the initial period as the successful candidate develops their understanding of the business and builds relationships with operational leaders.

The role

You will be responsible for:

• Defining and owning a risk-based security strategy aligned with the organisation’s operational and commercial objectives.
• Establishing appropriate policies, standards and governance arrangements for security and asset protection across UK operations.
• Moving the organisation from reactive security management towards proactive, intelligence-led prevention and continuous improvement.
• Advising senior stakeholders on emerging threats, vulnerabilities and proportionate mitigation strategies.
• Building security awareness, accountability and internal capability across the organisation.
• Developing strong relationships with site and operational leaders across a large and geographically dispersed estate.
• Managing external security suppliers and specialist contractors, ensuring quality, value for money and compliance with organisational standards.
• Defining scopes of work, KPIs and performance measures and holding suppliers accountable for delivery.
• Supporting procurement processes, including tendering, supplier selection and contract negotiation.
• Maintaining oversight of security expenditure, budgets and supplier performance.
• Determining the appropriate balance between internal capability and external specialist support.
• Leading the delivery of site-based security and vulnerability assessments across industrial, manufacturing, distribution and quarry locations.
• Identifying vulnerabilities in processes, systems and controls and implementing proportionate mitigation measures.
• Ensuring physical and technical security arrangements remain appropriate to each site’s risk profile.
• Using data, intelligence, technology and recognised good practice to improve security controls.
• Directing surveillance, intelligence-gathering and fraud-deterrence activity where appropriate.
• Leading covert surveillance operations, including static, mobile and vehicle-based activity, in accordance with applicable UK legislation.
• Ensuring that covert activity is legally compliant, ethically conducted and supported by appropriate evidence-handling procedures.
• Leading impartial investigations into suspected theft, fraud, collusion, illegal activity and other serious misconduct.
• Responding to allegations arising through internal intelligence, confidential reporting channels or operational concerns.
• Preserving evidence through CCTV retrieval, document review and witness interviews.
• Producing clear investigation reports incorporating findings, root-cause analysis and recommended actions.
• Presenting findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders, HR and Legal.
• Supporting disciplinary processes by providing appropriate evidence and specialist advice.
• Liaising with police, enforcement bodies and other external agencies when criminal activity is suspected.
• Acting as a trusted security adviser to the HSEQ Director, senior leadership and the wider organisation.
• Working collaboratively with Operations, Finance, Risk, Legal, HR and Internal Audit.

The person

We are seeking a self-starting and commercially aware security professional who can operate independently while building strong relationships across a complex organisation.

You are likely to bring:

• Experience gained within corporate security, investigations, asset protection, risk management, law enforcement, intelligence or military policing.
• A strong understanding of how security supports people, operational continuity and commercial performance.
• Experience designing, implementing or improving security frameworks, policies and governance arrangements.
• Extensive experience conducting internal or external investigations.
• Practical surveillance experience, including static, mobile or vehicle-based operations.
• Experience handling sensitive allegations, whistleblowing matters and confidential information.
• A sound understanding of UK legislation relevant to security, investigations, surveillance, data protection and employment matters.
• Experience managing security suppliers, specialist contractors, contracts and associated expenditure.
• The ability to assess supplier performance and challenge providers when required.
• Strong investigative and analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data and intelligence.
• Experience producing clear, structured investigation reports.
• The confidence to present findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to engage and appropriately challenge operational and corporate leaders.
• High levels of integrity, resilience, discretion and emotional intelligence.
• The ability to travel extensively across UK operations and work occasional unsocial hours when required.
• A full UK driving licence.

Desirable experience

The following would be advantageous:

• Experience within manufacturing, construction, logistics, infrastructure, heavy industry or building materials.
• A background in corporate asset protection, loss prevention or fraud investigation.
• Experience working with police, regulatory authorities or enforcement agencies.
• Knowledge of corporate governance, internal audit and compliance frameworks.
• A professional qualification in security management, risk management or investigations, such as CPP, MSyI or an IRM qualification.
• Experience using data and intelligence to identify patterns of loss, misconduct or criminal activity.