Group Allergen Manager in Hook Norton

Hook Norton

Our head offices based in the beautiful village of Hook Norton near Banbury.

Here you will find our teams of finance, HR, purchasing, marketing & creative that support all of our locations across the Thomas Franks family.

There is ample parking space available when visiting.

The role should act as the Group's specialist lead for allergens and dietary requirements, working closely with Nutrition, H&S, Culinary, Operations and Procurement.

The emphasis should be on setting standards, developing policy and guidance, building capability and supporting locations, with H&S retaining independent food-safety governance and assurance.

Promote a culture in which allergen safety and specialist diets are understood, valued and consistently applied.

Key Responsibilities

• Policy, Standards and Specialist Guidance
• To support and develop, maintain and update company-wide allergen policies, standards and guidance
• Act as the central subject matter expert for allergen and dietary requirements.
• Monitor relevant legislation and industry best practice and translate changes into practical guidance for the business.
• Lead and maintain the Thomas Franks allergen management framework.
• Ensure allergen requirements are embedded within business systems, audits and operating procedures.
• Training, Education and Operational Support
• Develop and deliver allergen awareness, education and supporting resources for operational teams.
• Support locations and clients/parents with complex allergen and specialist dietary-related enquiries and customer requirements and provide clear escalation routes
• Work alongside Culinary and Operations teams to maintain safe production and service practices.
• Work closely with H&S on policy review and learning arising from audits, incidents and near misses, without duplicating H&S ownership of formal assurance and investigation processes.
• Build a strong library of practical allergen and dietary resources for locations and clients.
• Develop, deliver and maintain allergen training programmes and supporting materials.
• Audit, Assurance and Continuous Improvement
• Support and develop the Group allergen audit programme in line with H&S audits
• Identify recurring themes and opportunities to strengthen guidance, training and operational practice.
• Produce regular risk reports to the Group board on allergens and near misses and give recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Identify emerging risks and recommend proportionate mitigation strategies.
• Work with Health & Safety and Operations teams to strengthen controls and reduce risk.
• Supply Chain and Product Information
• Review supplier onboarding to include stronger allergen management control as part of the supplier code of conduct (alongside CPO)
• Lead the process for the review and management of allergen information provided by suppliers.
• Support controls around substitutions, recipe changes and allergen information.
• Help maintain accurate allergen and dietary information across menus and relevant systems.

Essential

• Knowledge, Skills and Experience
• Degree or recognised qualification in Food Science, Dietetics or related discipline.
• 3-5 Years proven experience in allergen management, food safety, technical compliance or quality assurance from either a multi-site hospitality or food manufacturing business
• Strong knowledge or awareness of allergies and special diets
• Strong understanding of UK allergen legislation and food safety requirements.
• Excellent communication, training and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with high attention to detail.
• Must have a Driving licence, as regular travel is required

Desirable

• Degree or recognised qualification in Food Science, Dietetics or related discipline.
• Knowledge of Food Safety
• Experience of Nutritional analysis software
• Experience within contract catering, hospitality, education catering or food manufacturing.
• Experience working Internationally

Benefits

• Wider wallet scheme (discounts at major retailers, restaurants, gyms etc).
• Hybrid role.
• Travel Expenses paid.
• Volunteers leave - up to one day per year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Recommend a friend bonus.
• Unrivalled individual training and development.
• Well established apprenticeship programme.
• Team & company social events.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Workplace pension.
• Excellent career progression within a leading independent contract caterer.

About Us

Thomas Franks is a founder led, fresh food catering business with a focus on excellence and service delivered with individuality, passion and style.

We are unique in every approach and our clients, and our people are paramount to our daily success.

Disclaimer

All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this role.

An enhanced DBS, Identity & reference checks (covering the last five years) will form part of the selection process.

As an organisation using the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure service to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust, Thomas Franks Ltd complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly.

We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and undertake not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure based on conviction or other information revealed.

However, for any post in a school please be aware that any application is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such any criminal conviction, caution or bind-over must be declared.

Diversity and Inclusion at Thomas Franks

We actively encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and continue to develop a culture of growth and inclusion and would like to invite applications from groups who are currently under-represented, because we believe greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life.

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