Interim Head of Health & Safety and Food Safety (12 month FTC)

Shirley Parsons Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK food service group is seeking an Interim Head of Health & Safety and Food Safety for a 12-month FTC. The role involves developing national strategies, managing compliance, and leading remote teams. Candidates should have a strong background in food safety and health & safety, alongside leadership experience. This position requires attendance at team meetings in Surrey twice a week while offering flexibility in location across the South East or Midlands.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead remote teams and inspire performance.
• Strong background in food safety and health & safety.
• Skilled in using data for driving safety improvements.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the Health & Safety and Compliance Strategy.
• Build and maintain relationships with local authorities.
• Implement a modern approach to Food Safety Compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder influence

Data analysis for safety culture

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Degree in Environmental Health or Risk Management

Job description

Interim Head of Health & Safety and Food Safety (12 month FTC) – Surrey

Salary: £85-95,000

A national role with the opportunity to develop the Health & Safety, Food Safety and Compliance strategy for a leading UK food service group. You will need to be available to attend team meetings at this organisation's Surrey based head office twice per week, but can be based anywhere across the South East or Midlands for the position.

The Interim Head of Health & Safety and Food Safety will be

• Responsible for the Health & Safety and Compliance Strategy for the food service group nationally.
• Build and maintain relationships with local authorities and external auditing companies.
• Analyse accidents and near misses throughout the business.
• Implement a modern, forward-thinking approach to Food Safety Compliance and Health & Safety for the business.

The Interim Head of Health & Safety and Food Safety will have

• Proven ability to lead remote teams, inspire performance, and influence stakeholders at all levels - from shop floor staff to senior leadership.
• Strong background in food safety, health & safety, and fire safety, ideally with a degree in Environmental Health or Risk Management and hands-on experience in food service or hospitality.
• Skilled in using data (e.g., audit scores, incident reports) to drive safety culture improvements and manage third-party audits with a proactive, detail-oriented approach.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally and with external partners, including franchisees and regulatory bodies, to uphold and exceed safety standards.