At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team of Meat Hygiene Inspectors across Scotland.
- Company: Join Food Standards Scotland, a key player in public health.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Dynamic field-based role with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public health while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in coordinating teams and a passion for operational excellence.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Do you have a passion for supporting people and leading teams to deliver operational excellence in a field-based environment? Would you value the opportunity to shape, support, and coordinate a team of Meat Hygiene Inspectors across Scotland? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Food Standards Scotland’s Operations Division is seeking a Field Operations Coordinator to support the delivery of Official Controls in meat premises across Central and South West Scotland. This is one of two Field Operations Coordinator roles, working collaboratively to ensure consistent, high‑quality regulatory services across the region.
As a key member of the Field Operations team, you will be responsible for coordinating the deployment of Meat Hygiene Inspectors across your area, as well as providing business and administrative support to the Operations Manager. Working closely with the area management team — including the Operations Manager, fellow Field Operations Coordinator, and Veterinary Advisor — you will play a central role in staff scheduling, operational planning, and day‑to‑day support to ensure effective service delivery. This is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to public health outcomes while supporting and leading teams in a challenging and rewarding operational environment.
Responsibilities:
- Provide essential support to the operational teams within the field, enabling FSS to deliver efficiency and effectiveness of Official Controls and Export Certification within a defined region and driving business compliance and operational performance in accordance with the Field Operations Business Plan and KPI framework.
- Coordinate Health and Safety requirements as laid out in the FSS Health and Safety Manual system, ensuring important documentation such as Inspection Point Risk Assessments, Safe Systems of Works and other protocols are kept up to date and cascaded to all staff.
- Lead and manage staff within your span of control to improve culture and employee engagement through positive leadership and effective management of operational changes.
- Coordinate operations relating to staff scheduling, planning and support across approved meat establishments. The role will combine elements of coordination of activities directly related to human resources including coordination of new staff inductions, learning and development for the field staff and chairing regular plant team meetings.
- Maintain your technical competency by regular review of policy, guidance and technical instructions coupled to occasional working within the inspection team for observation and monitoring purposes.
Qualifications:
Technical / Professional Skills:
- Operational Leadership and Management – Working Level
- Connections and communications – Working Level
Experience:
- Previous experience of coordinating staff and resources within a frontline, field‑based regulatory environment, with a focus on continuous improvement and operational effectiveness.
Behaviours:
- Working together – Level 3
- Managing a Quality Service - Level 3
How to apply: Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an MS Teams interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 8 June 2026 however this may be subject to change.
Recruitment Principles:
As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.
About us:
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) was established on 1 April 2015 as the new public sector food body for Scotland. To protect the health and wellbeing of consumers we have three objectives as set under the Food (Scotland) Act 2015:
- To protect the public from risks to health which may arise in connection with the consumption of food
- To improve the extent to which members of the public have diets which are conducive to good health
- To protect the other interests of consumers in relation to food
We have a unique role in Scottish government, working independently of Ministers and industry, to provide advice which is impartial, and based on robust science and data. Our remit covers all aspects of the food chain which can impact on public health – aiming to protect consumers from food safety risks and promote healthy eating. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits.
Find out more about FSS at Job vacancies - Careers | Food Standards Scotland | Food Standards Scotland.
Working pattern:
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. Candidates must be willing to work occasional weekends and participate in an on-call rota when requested in response to business needs. This is a field-based role working from home with governance of FSS field teams working in primary meat production premises across the central belt and south west of Scotland. Occasional travel to our main office in Aberdeen.
Security checks:
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions). You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, and read about the Government Vetting Charter, or about all the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide. Internal candidates may need to gain higher security clearance than they currently hold if successful in their application.
Equality statement:
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further information: Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
Field Operations Co-ordinator - Area 3 in Aberdeen employer: Scottish Government
Contact Detail:
Scottish Government Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Field Operations Co-ordinator - Area 3 in Aberdeen
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at Food Standards Scotland. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Research the role of Field Operations Coordinator and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Practise common interview questions and be ready to showcase your leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for public health! During interviews or networking, share why you care about food safety and how you can contribute to improving public health outcomes. Authenticity goes a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
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 serious about joining the team at Food Standards Scotland.
We think you need these skills to ace Field Operations Co-ordinator - Area 3 in Aberdeen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Field Operations Coordinator role. Highlight your experience in coordinating staff and resources, and don’t forget to showcase any operational leadership skills you have. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our team!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to provide specific examples of how you meet the skills and behaviours outlined in the job description. Remember, we’re looking for evidence of your experience, so be clear and concise.
Be Honest About Your Experience: While it might be tempting to use AI tools to help with your application, make sure everything you submit is truthful and reflects your own experiences. We value authenticity, and we want to hear your genuine voice in your application.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our organisation there. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Government
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Field Operations Coordinator and the specific responsibilities involved. Brush up on your knowledge of meat hygiene regulations and the operational processes within Food Standards Scotland. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading teams, be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in managing staff and coordinating operations. Think of specific examples where you've improved team culture or operational effectiveness. Highlighting your leadership style and how it aligns with the values of Food Standards Scotland can set you apart.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions during your interview. These might involve handling conflicts, scheduling challenges, or ensuring compliance with health and safety protocols. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making skills in these situations, as it will demonstrate your problem-solving abilities.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Use this opportunity to inquire about the team's dynamics, ongoing projects, or how success is measured in the role. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company culture is the right fit for you.