Food Safety Specialist

Emirates Flight Catering; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering service provider is seeking a Food Safety Specialist in Dubai. This role includes monitoring food safety compliance and conducting audits while providing expert guidance to stakeholders. Candidates should have a Bachelor's in Microbiology or Food Technology and at least 5 years of experience in food safety roles. Strong communication and leadership skills are required. The position supports high standards of food safety and quality across operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years in a food safety-related role, ideally within catering, food manufacturing, or a related industry.
• Excellent communication and reporting ability.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular spot checks and internal inspections on the shop floor.
• Monitor food safety performance and prepare trend analyses.
• Carry out scheduled on-site audits of local suppliers.

Skills

Strong written and spoken English

Self-motivated

Leadership skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Food Technology, or equivalent

Level 4 Food Safety training or equivalent certification

Job description

Business Unit Purpose

To uphold and strengthen food safety, compliance, and sustainability standards across the organisation, ensuring safe, reliable, and high-quality food delivery to all stakeholders.

Job Purpose

To monitor and ensure compliance with food safety and microbiology standards across designated business units, provide expert guidance to stakeholders, and evaluate the suitability of current and potential food suppliers against food safety requirements.

Key Result Areas

• Conduct regular spot checks and internal inspections on the shop floor, documenting outcomes through detailed shift reports.
• Monitor food safety performance across stakeholders by reviewing audit findings and customer complaints; prepare and share trend analyses with relevant teams.
• Carry out scheduled on-site audits of local suppliers and perform system-based audits of overseas suppliers to ensure compliance with EKFC food safety standards.
• Investigate and resolve critical food safety-related issues, including escalated customer complaints and supplier non-conformance.
• Perform microbiological testing as required, ensuring laboratory compliance with ISO 17025 standards.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and guidance to Food Safety Supervisors, Senior Food Safety Assistants, and Food Safety Assistants on all food safety matters.
• Ensure proper monitoring and verification of CCPs, OPRPs, and PRPs as outlined in hazard control plans.
• Participate in HACCP reviews during new product development, process changes, and at required review intervals.
• Support customer and regulatory food safety audits (Airline and Commercial) to demonstrate compliance with external safety and quality standards.
• Assist the Food Safety Manager in day-to-day operations and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Job Context

The Food Safety Specialist plays a pivotal role in maintaining EKFC's high food safety standards through routine inspections, system reviews, and supplier compliance programs. This includes conducting physical audits of local suppliers, paper-based audits of overseas suppliers, and addressing food safety issues relating to physical, chemical, or microbiological hazards. The role also encompasses performing microbiological analyses in the in-house laboratory and ensuring alignment with FSSC 22000, airline, and regulatory standards.

Knowledge, Skills & Minimum Experience

Education & Training:

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Food Technology, or equivalent (mandatory).
• Level 4 Food Safety training or equivalent certification (preferred).

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years in a food safety-related role, ideally within catering, food manufacturing, or a related industry.

Skills:

• Strong written and spoken English, with excellent communication and reporting ability.
• Self-motivated, confident, and capable of working independently.
• Proven ability to guide and lead teams in a structured, compliance-driven environment.