Food Safety Lead

Barry Callebaut Manufacturing Iberica SA.; Zundert; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunity

Pension plan Zoetwaren

Laptop and smartphone

25 holiday days

Job summary

Barry Callebaut Manufacturing Iberica SA in the Netherlands is seeking a Food Safety Lead to join our Quality Assurance team at the local plant. Reporting directly to the QA Manager, you will oversee food safety programs, drive continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with HACCP, FSSC 22000 and BRC standards.

The role collaborates with Production, Operations, Engineering and Laboratory to monitor environmental monitoring, testing, and audits, lead corrective actions, and support training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and HACCP training.
• 5+ years in food safety within food manufacturing.
• Experience with audits and certification processes.
• Project management and continuous improvement experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and maintain site food safety programs and compliance.
• Support development and improvement of food safety management systems.
• Manage HACCP programs and risk assessments.
• Coordinate environmental monitoring and testing activities.
• Ensure compliance with FSSC 22000, BRC and similar standards.
• Analyze data, identify trends, and drive corrective actions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on incidents and deviations.
• Support audits and certification activities; participate in trainings.
• Support Lean, TPM initiatives and operational excellence.
• Standardize and document food safety procedures across the site.

Skills

Food safety management

HACCP

Audits & certifications

Project management

Data analysis

English communication

Dutch language

Lean/continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or Chemistry

Formal HACCP training

Formal training in FSSC 22000, BRC or equivalent

ASQ certification (advantage)

Tools

SAP

MES

CMMS

Scheduling software

Microsoft Office

Job description

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At Barry Callebaut, we are on a journey to transform the cocoa and chocolate industry. As the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, our actions truly shape the future of our industry. We are a business-to-business company, serving the entire food sector, from the cocoa bean to the finest chocolate product. We are a company with a purpose, we believe in doing well by doing good and reinvesting in the communities we operate. We have a long-standing commitment to sustainability and our goal is to shape a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future.We are headquartered in Zurich, and have more than 12,000 passionate Employees working in more than 40 countries worldwide.We are very proud of who we are and what we do. And of course, we are always looking for talented people to help us have a positive impact on our industry and beyond!

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.

If you want to learn more about Barry Callebaut, please find further information here .

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