At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead food safety audits and enhance food safety culture at itsu.
- Company: Join itsu, a fast-growing Asian-inspired healthy eating brand.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, hybrid work, and generous holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food safety while working with international suppliers.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in food safety, degree in food science, and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent training and career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The ideal candidate should have at least 8 years' experience working in a food safety and auditing role, with internal and external audit experience and a deep understanding of requirements for GFSI accreditations. Strong knowledge of food safety, microbiology, and food regulations is essential, along with expertise across a range of different food categories. Experience working with international suppliers (Asian suppliers preferred) is required, as well as a willingness to travel to Asia multiple times throughout the year. Excellent attention to detail while maintaining a broader perspective, strong stakeholder management, and communication skills are necessary, along with the ability to work with various suppliers. A degree in food science or a similar subject is required, along with a passion for food, particularly Asian-inspired cuisine.
About us: itsu is the healthy eating, Asian-inspired quick service retail and grocery brand with over 70 stores in the UK and a leading grocery business across Europe and beyond. Renowned for its best-in-class food made fresh in every shop every day, itsu has huge global ambitions with a commitment to continue to open many more stores and intensify the growth of its already thriving grocery arm. With its best-in-class healthy food, latest technology, innovation, and talented workforce, itsu is the future of fast food.
D&I statement: itsu [grocery] is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation. We encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply for all of our opportunities. When applying for a role with us, please remove your full name, name of University/School, address, email address, and any photos of you on your CV and covering letter. Non-anonymised CVs may not be reviewed.
Scope of the role: Overarching accountability for supplier management, product authenticity, and product testing procedures. Responsible for driving awareness and improvements in food safety culture within itsu [grocery] and the supply base. Responsible for the safety, quality, legality, and integrity of itsu [grocery] products. Provide expert advice and support on food safety incidents.
Key responsibilities:
- Conduct food safety audits against the itsu [grocery] food safety standard and work with suppliers to meet the requirements of the standard.
- Support the Technical Controller to maintain and improve the food safety & quality management system and ensure AA Grade certification against the BRC A&B standard is maintained.
- Create the food safety and authenticity surveillance programme and identify food safety risks.
- Provide support to the category technical teams on managing out of specification results, utilise root cause analysis, and implement corrective and preventative actions.
- Support the Technical team in serious incident management (where required), conduct reactive supplier visits, and create technical improvement plans to mitigate risks and prevent reoccurrence.
- Own strategic technical workstreams to create a step change in product safety, quality, and legality.
What we offer:
- Competitive salary
- Competitive bonus scheme
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays (two bank holidays are interchangeable for other religious holidays)
- Health insurance
- Company pension scheme
- Hybrid working (2 days wfh)
- Opportunity to work from home abroad
- 50% employee discount in itsu shops
- Free itsu lunch
- Discounts at major retailers
- A sizeable training budget to support your ongoing development
Senior Food Safety Manager employer: itsu
Contact Detail:
itsu Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Food Safety Manager
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the food safety industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Show Off Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience with GFSI accreditations and your knowledge of food safety regulations. Share specific examples of how you've improved food safety culture in previous roles – it’ll show them you’re the real deal!
✨Tailor Your Approach
Before applying, do your homework on itsu and their values. Tailor your conversations and any follow-ups to reflect your passion for Asian-inspired food and how your background aligns with their mission. This personal touch can really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the itsu team and ready to contribute to their exciting growth journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Food Safety Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in food safety and auditing. We want to see how your background aligns with the requirements for GFSI accreditations and your expertise across different food categories.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for food, especially Asian-inspired cuisine, and explain why you’re excited about the opportunity at itsu. Let us know how you can contribute to our mission!
Be Mindful of Anonymity: Remember to remove your full name, university details, and any personal photos from your application. We take anonymity seriously, so make sure your CV and cover letter are non-anonymised to ensure they get reviewed.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining the itsu team!
How to prepare for a job interview at itsu
✨Know Your Food Safety Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your food safety knowledge, especially around GFSI accreditations and the latest regulations. Be ready to discuss your experience with audits and how you've handled food safety incidents in the past.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Since this role involves working with various suppliers, be prepared to share examples of how you've effectively managed stakeholder relationships. Highlight your communication skills and any successful collaborations you've had, particularly with international suppliers.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is crucial in food safety. During the interview, provide specific examples of how your meticulous nature has helped prevent issues or improve processes. This will show that you can keep an eye on the bigger picture while managing the finer details.
✨Express Your Passion for Food
itsu is all about healthy, Asian-inspired food, so let your passion shine through! Share your favourite dishes, experiences with Asian cuisine, or any relevant projects that reflect your enthusiasm for food safety in this context.