Food Safety Manager

Prime Appointments; Braintree; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing business in Braintree is seeking an experienced Food Safety Manager to join their technical team. This role involves maintaining food safety standards, leading audits, and driving continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of HACCP and BRCGS standards. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits including enhanced pension and life insurance.

Benefits

25 days holiday rising to 28 Plus bank

Enhanced pension

Life insurance

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a similar Food Safety role within food manufacturing.
• Strong working knowledge of HACCP, BRCGS, and FSSC 22000 standards.
• Experience managing audits and working with regulatory bodies.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve the site’s HACCP plans and Food Safety Management Systems.
• Lead internal and external auditing programmes ensuring compliance.
• Oversee technical and quality aspects of production.

Skills

Leadership

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Communication

Job description

Food Safety Manager

Location: Braintree, Essex

Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 per annum

Hours: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week (early finish on Friday)

Contract: Permanent

We are delighted to be working with a leading food manufacturing business in Braintree who are looking for an experienced Food Safety Manager to join their technical team. This is a key position within the organisation, ensuring that all food safety, quality, and compliance standards are achieved and maintained across the site.

About the Role

As the Food Safety Manager, you will take full responsibility for maintaining and developing the site’s Food Safety Management Systems, ensuring compliance with customer, legal, and accreditation requirements. You will lead a multi-disciplinary food safety team and play a key role in driving a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and technical excellence.

This is a hands‑on position that requires strong leadership, attention to detail, and the ability to work closely with other departments to ensure ongoing compliance with standards including BRC, RSPO, HALAL, KOSHER, FAIRTRADE, FSSC 22000, SEDEX, and customer audits.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain, review, and improve the site’s HACCP plans and Food Safety Management Systems.
• Lead and manage internal and external auditing programmes to ensure compliance with BRCGS and FSSC 22000 standards.
• Oversee all technical and quality aspects of production, ensuring due diligence, legality, authenticity, and product quality.
• Manage and develop the food safety team, ensuring all team members are trained, competent, and understand their role in maintaining food safety.
• Record and respond to customer complaints, implementing corrective and preventative actions (CAPA).
• Manage supplier approvals and maintain certification and compliance databases.
• Support new product development (NPD) and factory trials to ensure product safety and quality standards are met.
• Monitor hygiene standards across the site, overseeing pest control and ensuring all corrective actions are implemented.
• Conduct daily site walks, ensuring high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and fabrication.
• Develop, implement, and report on Quality KPIs, driving continuous improvement.
• Deputise for the Head of Technical as required.

About You

• Proven experience in a similar Food Safety, Technical, or Quality Management role within food manufacturing.
• Strong working knowledge of HACCP, BRCGS, and FSSC 22000 standards.
• Experience managing audits and working closely with regulatory bodies and customers.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and motivate teams.
• A proactive approach to problem‑solving and continuous improvement.
• A full UK driving licence and access to transport.

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well‑established company that is passionate about maintaining the highest standards in food safety and quality.

25 days holiday rising to 28 Plus bank

Enhanced pension

Life insurance

If you are a driven and experienced Food Safety professional looking for a new challenge within a supportive and forward‑thinking environment, we would love to hear from you.