Food and Safety Officer

We're looking for a motivated and professional Senior / Food Safety Officer to join our ambitious Food and Safety Team. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to public health while working with a diverse range of food businesses across the district.

We regulate over 1,400 food businesses, ranging from international manufacturers to independent retailers, takeaways and local shops. We also deliver Primary Authority partnerships, providing specialist regulatory advice to local authorities on behalf of four businesses. As a member of the team, you may occasionally represent the service at meetings with national regulators, including the Food Standards Agency.

The role offers a varied and rewarding workload. You'll inspect the full range of food businesses across the district, investigate food poisoning incidents and complaints, and respond to emerging public health concerns. On a rota basis, approximately one week in four, you'll act as Duty Officer, dealing with urgent issues and providing timely advice and intervention where required.

You will manage your own programme of inspections and enforcement work, building positive relationships with businesses while ensuring compliance with food safety legislation. Strong communication skills are essential, as you'll be expected to provide practical advice, deliver training and guidance, and support businesses in meeting their legal obligations. Where standards fall short, you'll be confident taking proportionate and effective enforcement action.

The role also includes occasional port health duties, such as boarding vessels to inspect conditions and issue Ship Sanitation Certificates and topical project work with specific sectors for example; tanning salons, holiday hot tub settings or gas safety in hotels.

This is an excellent opportunity for a capable and professional officer seeking a broad, challenging role in a busy and supportive team. If you are passionate about protecting public health, enjoy working with a wide variety of businesses, and can balance advice, education and enforcement, we'd love to hear from you. In order to comply with the Food Law Code of Practice a mandatory requirement for this position is to hold the Higher Certificate in food control or equivalent.

This is a career graded post the food safety officer is limited at £40,777 per annum on successful completion of two years service the occupant demonstrating suitable knowledge and experience will be able to progress to the Senior Food Safety Officer graded post.

Why Work With Us

Our Benefits

• Generous annual leave

• Local Government Pension Scheme

• Discounted gym membership

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Car purchase scheme

• Lifestyle savings

• Health Care Cash Plan

• Volunteering days

• Wellbeing support

Flexible working friendly

We welcome discussions about flexible working and may be able to offer hybrid working, a generous flexi-time scheme, and agreed working hours to support work–life balance.

Inclusive employer

We welcome applications from all parts of the community and are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.We guarantee interviews for applicants with a disability and armed forces veterans who meet the essential criteria.