FMCG Food Safety & Manufacturing Systems Consultant

Mondelēz International; Reading; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

RSSL, a Reading-based contract research organisation and part of Mondelēz International, seeks a consultant to advise food clients on applied microbiology, HACCP design and BRC Global Standard compliance. You will design and deliver training and contribute technical content to bids and quotations.

The role spans multiple product categories, cross-functional collaboration, and project scoping, estimating effort and writing clear specifications for consultancy and training assignments.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in food safety / technical roles within FMCG food manufacturing environments (not solely laboratory, retail, or regulatory)
• Hands-on ownership or management of HACCP systems in a manufacturing setting, including leading HACCP team meetings, conducting hazard analyses, and validating critical control points
• Practical applied microbiology experience: environmental monitoring programme design, shelf-life determination, challenge testing, microbiological specification setting, and root-cause investigation of micro failures
• Direct experience with BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety at a practitioner level - system design, implementation, gap analysis, and supporting sites through certification audits (not just audit awareness)
• Demonstrated experience of working across multiple product categories or manufacturing environments (e.g., ambient, chilled, frozen, high-care/high-risk)
• Training delivery experience: proven ability to design and deliver HACCP training (Levels 2–4), BRC interpretation workshops, food safety culture sessions, or internal auditor training to audiences ranging from factory-floor operatives to senior management
• Commercial and bid-writing capability: experience contributing technical content to proposals, tenders, or consultancy quotations. Able to scope a piece of work, estimate effort, and write a clear specification

Responsibilities

• Provide expert consultancy and training to RSSL's food industry clients on applied microbiology, HACCP design and BRC compliance.
• Support the commercial function by contributing technical content to bids, scoping quotations, and writing specifications for training and consultancy projects.
• Design and deliver HACCP training programs (Levels 2–4) and run related workshops for diverse audiences.
• Collaborate across multiple product categories and manufacturing environments to drive client outcomes.
• Assist in cross-functional bid coordination and project planning as needed.

Skills

Food safety

HACCP

Applied microbiology

Bid writing

Training delivery

Cross-category experience

Education

BSc in food science

HACCP Level 4

Lead Auditor qualification

Education & Training qualification

CSci/RSci desirable

MSc/PhD in food microbiology or food safety desirable

Job description

Job Description

Are You Ready to Make an Impact at RSSL? Join Our Mission to Transform Lives Through Science, Innovation and Collaboration RSSL (Reading Scientific Services Ltd) is a leading scientific services company providing analytical testing, consultancy, and training to the food, drink, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries. A wholly owned subsidiary of Mondelēz International, we combine deep scientific expertise with practical industry knowledge. Our Training & Consultancy division delivers specialist food safety, allergen management, microbiology, regulatory, and FMCG manufacturing compliance services - both as tailored consultancy for individual client challenges and as structured training programmes for teams at every level. We work with businesses of all sizes, from start-ups navigating regulation for the first time to established manufacturers strengthening their systems. RSSL manages all client relationships and administration, so our consultants focus on what they do best: delivering expert advice and training.

Purpose of the Role

To provide expert consultancy and training to RSSL's food industry clients on applied microbiology in FMCG manufacturing environments, HACCP system design and verification, and BRC Global Standard for Food Safety compliance. This consultant will also support the commercial function by contributing technical content to bids, helping scope quotations, and writing specifications for training and consultancy projects.

Essential Experience

• Extensive experience in food safety / technical roles within FMCG food manufacturing environments (not solely laboratory, retail, or regulatory)
• Hands-on ownership or management of HACCP systems in a manufacturing setting, including leading HACCP team meetings, conducting hazard analyses, and validating critical control points
• Practical applied microbiology experience: environmental monitoring programme design, shelf-life determination, challenge testing, microbiological specification setting, and root-cause investigation of micro failures
• Direct experience with BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety at a practitioner level - system design, implementation, gap analysis, and supporting sites through certification audits (not just audit awareness)
• Demonstrated experience of working across multiple product categories or manufacturing environments (e.g., ambient, chilled, frozen, high-care/high-risk)
• Training delivery experience: proven ability to design and deliver HACCP training (Levels 2–4), BRC interpretation workshops, food safety culture sessions, or internal auditor training to audiences ranging from factory-floor operatives to senior management
• Commercial and bid-writing capability: experience contributing technical content to proposals, tenders, or consultancy quotations. Able to scope a piece of work, estimate effort, and write a clear specification

Desirable Experience

• Experience in a consultancy or advisory capacity (not solely in-house roles) - evidence of working across multiple client sites or business units
• BRC Lead Auditor status or significant experience conducting BRC-related audits
• Familiarity with retailer Codes of Practice (major UK and European retailers)
• Experience with food safety culture assessments and improvement programmes
• Incident management and crisis response experience (product recalls, contamination events)
• Experience developing training course materials and curricula for food safety programmes
• Understanding of GFSI-benchmarked schemes beyond BRC (FSSC 22000, SQF, IFS) to broaden the consultancy offering

Qualifications

• Degree in food science, microbiology, or a closely related discipline (essential)
• HACCP Level 4 / Advanced HACCP qualification (essential)
• Lead Auditor qualification - BRCGS, FSSC 22000, or equivalent (highly desirable)
• Recognised training qualification (e.g., PTLLS/Award in Education & Training, or equivalent) (desirable)
• Chartered Scientist (CSci) or Registered Scientist (RSci) status (desirable)
• MSc or PhD in food microbiology or food safety (desirable)

More about this role

What RSSL Offers the Consultant

• Zero admin, pure delivery: RSSL manages the entire commercial and administrative cycle - client acquisition, all client communications and relationship management, invoicing, billing, credit control, and debt collection. The consultant simply delivers the work and takes their day rate. No chasing clients, no unpaid invoices, no business development overhead, no paperwork
• Access to a pipeline of food industry clients through RSSL's established brand and active sales function - the consultant does not need to find their own leads
• Full support from RSSL's internal team for bid coordination, project logistics, and scheduling
• Opportunity to build a portfolio of work across diverse food manufacturing sectors
• Association with the RSSL brand - a respected name in analytical and consultancy services
• Flexibility of zero-hours engagement - fits alongside other consultancy commitments

Business Unit Summary

Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) is a cutting-edge contract research organisation (CRO), providing research, analysis and consultancy to the food, consumer goods and life science sectors. Whether we are creating new products, validating medicines or solving investigations, we take pride in being a leader in our field, serving clients from across 70 countries. Enriched by our parent company, Mondelēz International, our team are committed to transforming lives through science, innovation and collaboration.

Curious about us and want to learn more? Please explore: Website YouTube LinkedIn Glassdoor

RSSL is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Type

Casual (No Fixed Hours)

Food safety Product Quality, Safety and Compliance At Mondelēz International, our purpose is to empower people to snack right through offering the right snack, for the right moment, made the right way. That means delivering a broader range of delicious, high-quality snacks that nourish life's moments, made with sustainable ingredients and packaging that consumers can feel good about. We have a rich portfolio of strong brands – both global and local. Including many household names such as Oreo, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate; Sour Patch Kids candy and Trident gum. We are proud to hold the number 1 position globally in biscuits, chocolate and candy as well as the No. 2 position in gum Our 80,000 Makers and Bakers are located in our operations in more than 80 countries and are working to sell our products in over 150 countries around the world. They are energized for growth and critical to us living our purpose and values. We are a diverse community that can make things happen, and happen fast. Join us and Make It An Opportunity!