Compliance & Safety Specialist (UK & ROI) in London

The Compliance & Safety Specialist is the qualified technical resource for food safety, health & safety, and fire & security across the UK and ROI markets. Reporting to the Compliance & Safety Manager (UK & ROI) and working in close support of the Senior Compliance & Safety Manager, this role provides the day‑to‑day technical capability that underpins delivery of the UK & ROI Compliance & Safety strategy. This is an experienced individual contributor role. The Specialist does not manage people but works independently with limited supervision, owns defined compliance and audit workstreams, coaches District Managers and store teams, and is the day‑to‑day technical reference point for the operations function.

Role Expectations:

• Have direct impact on team and project results, and in some instances on department-level results.
• Manage projects and processes, working independently with limited supervision.
• Execute complex or specialised tasks, focusing on finding the best solution possible.
• Plan their own work and prioritise to meet deadlines.
• Apply advanced knowledge of their job area gained through education and work experience, and share that knowledge with operations colleagues (District Managers, store teams) to raise compliance capability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as the qualified technical resource for food safety, health & safety, and fire & security across UK & ROI stores.
• Apply UK and ROI regulatory requirements (FSA, HSE, EHO, Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Fire Safety Order) and translate these into practical operational guidance, escalating complex interpretation questions to the Compliance & Safety Manager where required.
• Support the Compliance & Safety Manager by providing technical depth, audit findings, and practical solutions for day‑to‑day operational queries.

• Deliver the internal audit programme across UK & ROI on behalf of the Compliance & Safety Manager.
• Plan and execute Pink Standards compliance audits and hygiene rating store audits, including pre‑rating preparation and re‑rating support to drive improved EHO scores.
• Track third‑party audit delivery and progress corrective actions to closure with operations, escalating non‑compliance to the Manager.
• Provide audit data and findings that support the Manager in identifying compliance gaps and driving corrective actions with the operations team.
• Coach District Managers on the delivery and quality of in‑store self‑audits.

• Maintain accurate EHO ratings data and produce regular compliance and safety performance reporting for the UK & ROI business and the wider Group.
• Monitor external enforcement visits, ensure timely and effective response, and track action completion.
• Maintain accurate records of audits, incidents, enforcement activity and compliance documentation.

• Conduct store‑level investigations where required, providing actionable recommendations and coaching to embed learning.
• Monitor completion of the risk assessment programme and identify in‑store risks for escalation and mitigation.
• Support the Compliance & Safety Manager in the local execution of enterprise risk management frameworks.

• Review new or updated operational policies and procedures to ensure safety and compliance considerations are embedded.
• Monitor delivery of Risk Proof by operations and ensure the platform continues to meet business needs.
• Identify and recommend improvements to the safety and compliance programme based on audit insight and operational feedback.

• Support the Compliance & Safety Manager in the development of training programmes that build compliance and safety capability across UK & ROI operations.
• Deliver technical training to District Managers on Risk Proof, Pink Standards, and Conflict Management.
• Maintain store‑level compliance and safety training content and ensure it remains technically accurate and current with regulatory change, with sign‑off from the Compliance & Safety Manager.
• Monitor store‑level training programmes to ensure safety and compliance content is effectively integrated.

Essential Qualifications:

• Level 4 Food Safety minimum (e.g. CIEH/RSPH Level 4, HACCP Level 4 or equivalent) — held on appointment.
• Level 4 Health & Safety minimum (e.g. NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent) — held on appointment.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Level 4 Fire Safety qualification.
• HACCP practitioner qualification.
• Internal auditor experience or certification (e.g. ISO 22000, ISO 45001).
• Member of a relevant professional body (CIEH, IOSH, IIRSM, IFSM or equivalent), with active CPD.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years' experience in a dedicated compliance, safety, audit or risk role within a regulated multi‑site environment (food, hospitality or retail) — held at the point of appointment.
• Multi‑site operations exposure, either through previous operational roles (e.g. District Manager or equivalent) or through a head‑office function supporting multi‑site operations.
• Working knowledge of UK food safety regulations and Health & Safety standards; ROI regulatory knowledge desirable.
• Demonstrable experience in internal auditing, risk assessment and compliance reporting.
• Experience in process review and continuous improvement of compliance processes.
• Security knowledge desirable but not essential.

Skills & Capabilities:

• Strong technical judgement combined with a pragmatic, commercial, solutions‑oriented mindset.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coach and influence at all levels of the operations organisation.
• Confident operating with limited day‑to‑day supervision; able to plan, prioritise and deliver complex workstreams independently.
• Competent in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; comfortable working with compliance management platforms.