Head of Food Safety and Technical
Head of Food Safety and Technical

Head of Food Safety and Technical

Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead food safety and quality for our grocery and restaurant operations across the UK and Europe.
  • Company: Join a well-known QSR business based in central London with an exciting grocery offering.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonuses, benefits, and free food!
  • Why this job: Shape food safety culture while working with a talented team in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Senior experience in food safety, technical roles, and expertise in HACCP and food legislation required.
  • Other info: Flexibility to travel across the UK and Europe is essential.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

In this role, you will shape the safety and quality of our food for our UK grocery business and Restaurants in the UK and Europe. You will confidently lead a talented team to develop and deliver safety systems and embed a culture of continuous improvement, best practice and resilience.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and lead company-wide food safety, quality, and compliance standards.
  • Set safety and technical policies and procedures, ensuring they are future-fit, scalable, and aligned with regulatory and industry best practice.
  • Be the key point of contact for external regulators, Primary Authority, auditors, and legal food safety matters.
  • Manage and refine our internal and external audit programmes, embedding accountability and action plans at every level.
  • Champion food safety culture across restaurants, supporting General Managers and Ops teams with training, insights, and coaching.
  • Collaborate with NPD and Operations to ensure new products, ingredients, and processes are safe and deliverable by the operations team.
  • Lead supplier technical approval and ongoing compliance, including onboarding, auditing, and performance management.
  • Own the technical integrity of product specifications - ensuring our food meets all safety, nutritional, allergen, and customer-facing requirements.
  • Build and maintain strong, values-led relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors.
  • Oversee technical governance for grocery product range - including food safety, packaging compliance, labelling, claims, and retailer standards.
  • Act as the gatekeeper for all food and non-food products, ensuring robust technical approval processes are in place from development to launch and then maintained.

Profile:

  • Senior-level experience in a food safety, technical, or quality assurance role.
  • A strong background in food service, retail, or manufacturing.
  • Expertise in HACCP, QMS, GFSI, allergen management, food safety legislation, and ethical sourcing.
  • Lead Auditor certification (or equivalent) and hands-on auditing experience.
  • Strong people management and development skills.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills.
  • Strong systems, reporting, and data analysis capabilities.
  • Passion for food and sustainability.
  • Flexibility to travel across the UK and Europe as required.

Job Offer: Competitive salary + bonus + benefits + free food

Head of Food Safety and Technical employer: Michael Page

As a leading name in the QSR sector based in vibrant central London, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions food safety and quality. Our dynamic work culture fosters continuous improvement and collaboration, offering employees ample opportunities for professional growth and development. With competitive salaries, bonuses, and unique perks like free food, we ensure our team is not only well-compensated but also engaged and inspired to make a meaningful impact across our grocery and restaurant offerings in the UK and Europe.
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Contact Detail:

Michael Page Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Food Safety and Technical

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the food safety and quality assurance sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with people who might have insights into the role or even know about openings at StudySmarter.

✨Tip Number 2

Research the latest trends and regulations in food safety and compliance. Being well-versed in current legislation and best practices will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to the field during discussions.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you’ve successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight specific examples where you’ve implemented food safety systems or improved processes, as this will resonate well with our values.

✨Tip Number 4

Familiarise yourself with our company culture and values. Understanding what we stand for at StudySmarter will help you align your responses and show how you can contribute to our mission in food safety and quality.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Food Safety and Technical

Food Safety Management
HACCP Expertise
Quality Management Systems (QMS)
Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Knowledge
Allergen Management
Food Safety Legislation Compliance
Lead Auditor Certification
Auditing Experience
People Management Skills
Training and Development Skills
Excellent Communication Skills
Influencing Skills
Data Analysis Capabilities
Technical Specification Management
Supplier Relationship Management
Flexibility to Travel

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in food safety, quality assurance, and compliance. Emphasise your leadership skills and any specific achievements related to food safety systems or team management.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for food safety and sustainability. Discuss how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the role, particularly your experience with HACCP, QMS, and managing audits.

Showcase Your Leadership Experience: Provide examples of how you've successfully led teams in previous roles. Highlight any initiatives you've implemented that improved food safety culture or compliance within an organisation.

Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to food safety legislation, auditing processes, and supplier management. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you demonstrated your problem-solving skills and ability to influence stakeholders.

How to prepare for a job interview at Michael Page

✨Showcase Your Expertise

Make sure to highlight your senior-level experience in food safety, technical, or quality assurance roles. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've developed and implemented safety systems in previous positions.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

As this role involves leading a talented team, be ready to share your experiences in people management and development. Discuss how you've successfully coached teams and fostered a culture of continuous improvement.

✨Know the Regulations

Familiarise yourself with relevant food safety legislation and industry best practices. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure compliance and manage relationships with external regulators and auditors.

✨Passion for Food and Sustainability

Express your passion for food safety and sustainability during the interview. Share any initiatives you've been involved in that demonstrate your commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainable practices in the food industry.

Head of Food Safety and Technical
Michael Page
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