At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global food safety and defence programmes to protect consumers and brands.
- Company: Join a leading FMCG company committed to food safety and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health plans, and generous holiday allowances.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global food safety and drive change in the industry.
- Qualifications: Advanced degree in Food Science or related field with extensive food safety experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
The Global Head of Food Safety and Defence is accountable for protecting consumers and pladis global brands by leading the design, governance, and execution of global food safety and food defence programmes across all manufacturing plants, R&D facilities, co‑manufacturers, suppliers, and distribution centres. The role ensures that products are designed, manufactured and distributed safely, consistently, and in full compliance with global regulatory and customer expectations, while providing strategic leadership to prevent, detect and respond to intentional adulteration, tampering, extortion and emerging threats.
Key Deliverables
- Global Strategy & Governance
- Develop and own the enterprise food safety and defence strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate vision, regulatory requirements and GFSI schemes.
- Establish global policies, standards and performance indicators for food safety, hygiene, allergen control, traceability and food defence.
- Lead global governance forums and represent food safety and defence for the business.
- Ensure integration of food safety and defence into innovation, supply chain, procurement and operations decision‑making.
- Food Safety Systems & Compliance
- Oversee global implementation of food safety systems including HACCP, environmental monitoring, allergen management, sanitation and GMP compliance.
- Ensure global alignment to BRCGS, FSSC22000, ISO22000 and customer requirements.
- Lead global audit programmes and provide oversight to regional QA functions.
- Develop global risk assessment frameworks for high‑risk ingredients such as cocoa, milk powder, nuts and flavourings.
- Food Defence & Product Security
- Drive global vulnerability assessments (TACCP/VACCP) and ensure sites implement and maintain mitigation plans.
- Coordinate with Security, Procurement and Supply Chain to protect facilities, materials, people and processes against intentional harm.
- Oversee product security across all logistics channels, including co‑manufacturers, warehouses and distribution partners.
- Incident Management & Crisis Response
- Serve as global technical expert for food safety and defence‑related events such as product contamination, allergen cross‑contact, microbial outbreaks, tampering/extortion threats.
- Manage root cause analyses, corrective action programmes and preventive measures globally.
- Partner with Legal, Corporate Communications, Security and Regulatory during crises.
- Scientific Leadership & Innovation
- Provide technical leadership on food safety science, microbiology, toxicology, allergens and emerging risks.
- Guide R&D and Operations on hygienic design, thermal processing, novel ingredients and new technologies.
- Oversee horizon scanning for emerging global risks including fraud, cyber‑physical risks and climate‑driven ingredient challenges.
- Work with Regulatory Affairs to assess risks and impacts of regulatory changes and develop mitigation strategies.
- Talent, Training & Culture
- Build and maintain a high‑performing global food safety and defence community.
- Develop competency frameworks, training pathways and certification programmes for food safety and TACCP/VACCP.
- Promote a proactive food safety culture across the entire organisation—from shop floor teams to senior executives.
- External Engagement & Advocacy
- Represent the company at global regulatory forums, food safety institutes and industry alliances (e.g., GFSI, Codex‑related work, regional regulators).
- Build partnerships with academic institutions and external experts in food safety and defence.
- Benchmark industry best practices and integrate learnings into company standards.
Essential Education & Training
- Bachelor’s or Master’s in Food Science, Food Safety, Microbiology, Chemistry, Public Health, or related field; advanced degree (PhD or MBA) desirable.
- Formal training in HACCP, TACCP/VACCP, FSMA Preventive Controls and Intentional Adulteration.
Experience
- Extensive expertise in food safety, quality and risk management within FMCG or large‑scale food manufacturing; proven leadership of global or multi‑regional teams and management of high‑risk ingredients and complex supply chains.
- Experience in responding to major food safety or product security incidents, particularly within chocolate, confectionery or bakery.
Technical Skills
- Deep knowledge of HACCP/HARPC, GMP, GFSI schemes and global regulatory frameworks.
- Expertise in microbiology, toxicology, allergens, sanitation and hygienic design.
- Proficiency in food defence methodologies (TACCP/VACCP, FSMA IA Rule) and familiarity with digital food safety tools, traceability systems and data analytics.
Key Competencies
- Strategic Leadership – influences global stakeholders and shapes organisational direction.
- Risk‑Based Thinking – translates scientific risk assessments into pragmatic business decisions.
- Crisis Management – calm, decisive, and structured under pressure.
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration – partners effectively with Security, Supply Chain, Procurement, R&D, Legal and Communications.
- Scientific Rigor – deep technical expertise with the ability to innovate and challenge conventional thinking.
- Cultural Agility – comfortable working across diverse teams, markets and regulatory environments.
- Communication Excellence – simplifies complex risks for non‑technical audiences.
We Offer
- Health Cash Plan (self‑enrol)
- Stakeholder Pension Scheme
- Life Assurance Cover upon enrolment to the Pension Scheme
- 25 days plus bank holidays
- Holiday Enhancement Scheme
- Volunteering Day per year
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Discount and Cashback Scheme with major high street brands, supermarkets and services
- Employee Assistance Programme and Financial Wellbeing Support
- Training and development opportunities
EEO Statement
pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We hire a diverse workforce and consider all qualified candidates without regard to race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.
Global Head of Food Safety and Defence employer: pladis Foods Limited
At pladis, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training programmes and a supportive environment that encourages professional development. Located in a vibrant area, we provide competitive benefits including a Health Cash Plan, generous holiday allowances, and opportunities for community engagement, making us an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in food safety and defence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Head of Food Safety and Defence
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry professionals on LinkedIn or attend food safety conferences. Building connections can lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s food safety practices and recent news. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and values.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to crisis management and risk assessment. We want you to feel confident and ready to showcase your expertise!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Global Head of Food Safety and Defence
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in food safety and defence. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As the Global Head of Food Safety and Defence, we’re looking for someone who can lead and inspire teams. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership experience and how you've successfully managed high-risk situations in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see why you’re a great fit for the role!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application 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 our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at pladis Foods Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food safety regulations and standards like HACCP, GFSI schemes, and ISO22000. Being able to discuss these in detail will show that you're not just familiar with the concepts but can also apply them strategically.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Global Head, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead diverse teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed global or multi-regional teams, especially in high-pressure situations. Highlight your experience in crisis management and how you’ve influenced stakeholders.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to food safety incidents or product security threats. Think through your approach to incident management and crisis response, and be ready to explain your thought process clearly and confidently.
✨Cultural Fit Matters
Understand the company culture and values of the organisation you're interviewing with. Be prepared to discuss how you would promote a proactive food safety culture and collaborate across various functions. Showing that you can adapt to their environment will set you apart.
