Technical Lead – Food Safety
Sector: Food Manufacturing / Pet Food & Feed
Location: Dereham, Norfolk
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent, Onsite
Salary: Negotiable depending on experience
Working Hours: Monday to Friday | 08:00 – 16:30
ISQ Recruitment are delighted to be exclusively supporting a growing, family-owned food manufacturing business in Norfolk with their search for a Food Safety & Technical Lead.
This is a newly created opportunity for someone who wants to take genuine ownership of food safety and help shape the function as the business continues to grow.
* Please note this client does not offer Visa sponsorship. Only candidates with full Right to Work in the UK and relevant experience will be considered.
The Role
This is a hands-on, high-impact food safety role where you’ll take ownership of HACCP and food safety across the business, lead the journey towards accreditations, and drive improvements across standards, systems, and processes.
Working closely with the owners and wider management team, you’ll have the authority to challenge, influence and make change happen. Initially a standalone position, this is also an opportunity to shape and build the food safety function as the business grows.
What’s On Offer?
- Salary negotiable depending on experience
- Company pension – 5% employer / 3% employee
- 20 days annual leave + 8 Bank Holidays
- Additional holiday linked to long service
- Medicash health plan
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Enhanced sick pay following probation
- Free onsite parking and EV charging
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Staff discounts and social events
- Friendly, family-run working environment
Key Responsibilities
These include:
- Taking ownership of food safety and HACCP across the business.
- Leading preparation for accreditations.
- Managing food safety procedures, risk assessments, and compliance.
- Overseeing microbiological testing, environmental monitoring, and cleaning verification.
- Managing traceability, mock recalls, TACCP and VACCP.
- Leading internal, customer and supplier audits.
- Managing non-conformances, complaints, and corrective actions.
- Supporting allergen management and food safety training.
- Driving improvements in hygiene, processes, and food safety culture.
- Working closely with other departments in the business such as Production, Customer Service, Buying, Planning and Senior Management.
What We’re Looking For
- Ideally 2+ years’ experience within a similar food safety/technical/quality role.
- Food manufacturing essential, pet/animal feed advantageous.
- Strong practical knowledge of HACCP and food safety systems.
- Level 3 HACCP.
- Level 3 Food Safety.
- Experience with audits, non-conformances, complaints, and corrective actions.
- Excellent communication skills and the confidence to challenge and influence.
- A hands-on, proactive, and organised approach.
- The ability to work independently and take genuine ownership of a function.
If you’re ready to step up, take ownership and build a food safety function rather than simply maintain one, we’d like to hear from you.
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