Food Safety Lead

Barry Callebaut Group; Zundert; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunity - % of annual gross

Pension plan Zoetwaren

Laptop and smartphone

25 holiday days per year

Job summary

Barry Callebaut Group is seeking a Food Safety Lead to join our QA team at a local manufacturing plant. Reporting to the QA Manager, you will ensure effective food safety systems and drive continuous improvement across the site.

The role requires 5+ years in food safety, HACCP expertise, and auditing experience. Dutch language proficiency and strong English are essential. Expect collaboration with Production, Operations, Engineering, and Laboratory teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in food safety within the food manufacturing industry.
• Proven experience with food safety systems, environmental monitoring, and testing programs.
• Experience supporting audits and certification processes.
• Practical experience in project management and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Fluency in Dutch and communicative level of English.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and maintain site food safety programs, ensuring full regulatory and customer compliance.
• Support development and continuous improvement of food safety management systems.
• Manage HACCP programs and conduct risk assessments.
• Coordinate environmental monitoring and testing activities.
• Ensure certification standards like FSSC 22000 and BRC are met.
• Analyze safety data, identify trends, implement CAPAs.
• Support audits, customer visits, and certification activities.
• Drive food safety awareness and capability across the plant.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address incidents.

Skills

Food safety leadership

HACCP & risk assessments

Audits & certifications

Continuous improvement

Project management

Data analysis & SPC

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field

Formal HACCP training

FSSC 22000/BRC training

Tools

SAP

MES

CMMS

Job description

About The Role

We are looking for a highly motivated

About The Role

We are looking for a highly motivated Food Safety Lead to join our Quality Assurance team at our local manufacturing plant. Reporting directly to the QA Manager, this role is responsible for ensuring the effectiveness and continuous improvement of food safety systems, programs, and standards across the site.
The successful candidate will play a critical role in maintaining compliance with food safety regulations, industry standards, and internal requirements while partnering closely with Production, Operations, Engineering, Laboratory, and Quality teams. This position is ideal for an experienced food safety professional who combines strong technical expertise with a continuous improvement mindset and passion for operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and maintain site food safety programs, ensuring full compliance with regulatory, customer, and company requirements.
• Support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of food safety management systems.
• Manage and maintain HACCP programs and food safety risk assessments.
• Coordinate pathogen environmental monitoring programs and food safety testing activities.
• Ensure compliance with certification standards such as FSSC 22000, BRC, or equivalent food safety standards.
• Analyze food safety performance data, identify trends, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to investigate food safety incidents, deviations, and non-conformities.
• Support internal and external audits, customer visits, and certification activities.
• Drive food safety awareness and capability development throughout the plant.
• Monitor developments in food safety regulations and ensure site practices remain compliant.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, TPM, or similar operational excellence methodologies.
• Support food safety-related projects and change management initiatives.
• Ensure food safety procedures are standardized, documented, and effectively implemented across the site.
  

Your Profile

• Minimum 5 years of experience in food safety within the food manufacturing industry.
• Proven experience with food safety systems, environmental monitoring, and food safety testing programs.
• Experience supporting audits and certification processes.
• Practical experience in project management and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Formal HACCP training.
• Formal training in FSSC 22000, BRC, or equivalent food safety standards.
• Certification in a Quality Management System (e.g., ASQ) is considered an advantage.
• Fluency in Dutch and communicative level of English.
• Strong knowledge of food safety management systems and food safety regulations.
• Understanding of food processing technologies; experience in the food or pharmaceutical industry is preferred.
• Knowledge of laboratory operations and testing procedures.
• Understanding of manufacturing functions and plant operations.
• Practical knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, TPM, or similar operational systems.
• Ability to work with data and apply statistical quality control tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and manufacturing systems such as SAP, MES, CMMS, or scheduling applications.
  

What We Offer

• Opportunity to play a key role in safeguarding food safety and quality within a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to industry-leading food safety standards and best practices.
• Participation in improvement and transformation projects that make a tangible business impact.
• Stable employment in a growing organization committed to quality, safety, and operational excellence.
• Bonus opportunity - % of annual gross salary
• Pension plan with pension fund Zoetwaren (incl./excedent plan)
• Use of professional tools: laptop and smartphone
• 25 holiday days per year (exclusive seniority days in line with CLA Zoetwaren)
  

At Barry Callebaut, we are committed to Diversity & Inclusion. United by our strong values, we thrive on the diversity of who we are, where we come from, what we’ve experienced and how we think. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where people can truly be themselves, grow to their full potential and feel they belong. #oneBC - Diverse People, Sustainable Growth.