Food Safety Officer

WMJobs; Nuneaton; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous holiday allowance

Job summary

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council is seeking a dedicated Food Safety Officer to join the Business Regulation and Support Team. The role focuses on delivering high-quality food safety and environmental health services to support local businesses and protect consumers.

You will conduct statutory inspections, investigate incidents, and provide expert guidance on food safety compliance, balancing enforcement with business support. A valid driving licence and flexible hours may be required.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to support an open, collaborative team environment.
• Experience gathering evidence, conducting interviews, serving notices, and preparing files for legal prosecution.
• Sound operational understanding of UK food law codes of practice, relevant legislation, and enforcement protocols and strategies to secure compliance.

Responsibilities

• Deliver Official Food Controls: Carry out statutory food hygiene and safety inspections, business audits, and planned food sampling programmes to verify legal standards.
• Investigate Incidents & Complaints: Handle reactive workloads, including investigating food poisoning outbreaks, infectious disease notifications, and public health complaints.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in food safety, providing advice, and ensuring compliance across the borough.
• Take Proportionate Enforcement Action: Gather admissible evidence, issue statutory notices, and assist in preparing robust legal files for prosecution when necessary.
• Deliver Targeted Projects: Participate in proactive initiatives and educational projects designed to raise awareness across the Borough.

Skills

Communication

Team collaboration

Evidence gathering

UK food law knowledge

Driving licence

Education

Higher Certificate in Food Control

Job description

Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council,

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council is a small Council with big values. We are committed to ensuring our services are delivered to the highest possible standard and we put the customer at the forefront of everything we do. By working for us you will become part of the team and will play your part in serving our community.

Food Safety Officer

We are seeking a dedicated and customer-focused Food Safety Officer to join our Business Regulation and Support Team. In this vital role, you will deliver a high-quality service, ensuring local businesses thrive while maintaining the highest standards of safety, compliance, and consumer protection.

As a Food Safety Officer, you will balance regulatory enforcement with business support. You will develop and apply specialist expertise in food safety and wider environmental health disciplines, working in accordance with national legislation, service plans, and council policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver Official Food Controls: Carry out statutory food hygiene and safety inspections, business audits, and planned food sampling programmes to verify legal standards.
• Investigate Incidents & Complaints: Handle reactive workloads, including investigating food poisoning outbreaks, infectious disease notifications, and public health complaints.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in food safety, providing advice, and ensuring compliance across the borough.
• Take Proportionate Enforcement Action: Gather admissible evidence, issue statutory notices, and assist in preparing robust legal files for prosecution when necessary.
• Deliver Targeted Projects: Participate in proactive initiatives and educational projects designed to raise awareness across the Borough.

Qualifications/ Skills

• Qualifications: you must hold one of the baseline qualifications as specified in the Food Law Code of Practice and have associated registration. As a minimum you will hold the Higher Certificate in Food Control or equivalent.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to support an open, collaborative team environment.
• Experience gathering evidence, conducting interviews, serving notices, and preparing files for legal prosecution.
• Sound operational understanding of UK food law codes of practice, relevant legislation, and enforcement protocols and strategies to secure compliance
• A valid driving licence and access to personal transport for work-related duties. You must also be flexible to work occasional evenings or weekends and respond to emergency planning incidents if required.

Further details for the post are contained in the appropriate job description and person specification. For an informal discussion please contact Lesia Wowczuk (Team Leader Business Regulation and Support) on 024 7637 6043.

As an employer, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council offers a wide range of benefits, including flexible working, Local Government Pension Scheme and generous holiday allowance.

This post is covered by the Fluency Duty, as outlined in the Code of Practice on the English language requirements for public sector workers.

Interviews will be held 19 October 2026