We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a Food Safety Officer to join our team at the Liverpool Supply Point. In this role, you will provide expert support across the site to uphold and advance a Right First Time culture from a food safety perspective.

As the Food Safety Officer, you will drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance with both internal standards and external regulatory requirements. You will be responsible for embedding robust food safety practices into the site’s culture and delivering comprehensive HACCP and food safety awareness training.

You will serve as the contact for food safety matters, acting as a role model and champion for food safety and quality. A key part of your remit will be to build strong relationships internally and externally to challenge and support food safety initiatives. You will identify and address any gaps in processes, products, or standards that could impact food safety, including projects where necessary.

Your responsibilities will also include evaluating products from a food safety standpoint during development phases or when changes are introduced specifically for incoming materials. You will ensure alignment with the site’s cleaning matrix and collaborate with relevant teams to implement improvements based on investigations. Additionally, you will support with other processes within the Food Safety Management systems, driving enhancements to meet both internal and external requirements.

Key accountabilities, deliverables & KPIs, impact on business results

• Support investigations and drive improvements related to food safety across the site.
• Maintain, report, and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) within the function, including Critical Control Points (CCP) and Operational Prerequisite Programmes (OPRP).
• Adhere to and promote site Health and Safety standards, including participation in audits within the area.
• Act as the Quality and Food Safety representative for site projects, innovations, and equipment changes, ensuring all quality requirements are addressed.
• Communicate quality expectations and implications for internal projects (e.g. new processes or systems) to safeguard food safety and uphold quality standards.
• Deputy for the Food Safety Hazard Control Point (FSHCP) team, coordinating annual activities and roadmap execution.
• Ensure accuracy and compliance of flow diagrams and hazard analyses.

• Review materials coming onto site, changes in materials, review cycle management and risk assessments are conducted thoroughly such as food safety reviews
• Support Incoming materials HACCP team reviews with cross functional stakeholders across the business
• Lead the development and maintenance of the Danone HACCP assessment for incoming materials (raw materials and packaging materials) on Form 1, 2, 3 and 5b.
• Deputy in HACCP for leading meetings, documentation review and update

• Implement and continuously improve the Food Safety Hazard Control Plan.
• Maintain the food safety management system, ensuring verification and compliance with FSHCP procedures.
• Serve as deputy to the Preventative Control Qualified Individual, overseeing all changes that may impact food safety.
• Conduct risk assessments for new developments, changes, and their impact on product safety.
• Manage product sequencing setup to support food safety protocols.
• Oversee the site’s Allergen Management programme, identifying and implementing improvements.
• Review and assess deviations that may affect food safety, including temporary processes.
• Maintain a documented and regularly reviewed HACCP system.
• Support the Factory Standards Manager in enhancing the Food Safety Management System & Quality System through audits and system reviews, ensuring effective corrective actions are implemented.
• Conduct gap analyses in response to changes in standards or regulations.
• Provide support during external audits (e.g. ISO, FDA, EHO, corporate audits), including preparation and follow-up to maintain FSSC 22000 accreditation.
• Contribute to Food Safety Initiative (FSI) projects, ensuring systems and processes meet corporate standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g. production, engineering) to ensure food safety is integrated into all site activities.
• Communicate food safety risks and mitigation strategies effectively to senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Lead food safety incident investigations and coordinate root cause analysis and corrective actions where required and in collaboration with the plant quality team.
• Support in any potential crisis events.
• Internal auditor for the site.
• Monitor changes in food safety legislation and ensure timely implementation of necessary changes.
• Develop and deliver tailored food safety training programmes for different site functions.
• Mentor and coach team members to build food safety awareness and ownership.

Stakeholders

Cross functionally across site such as production and operational teams, Engineering, Supply Chain, Product Development, Quality Functions, Project Services/FAM, Regulatory, HR, PLT, EHS, Performance & Digital. Central Danone teams such as Product Development, Danone QFS, Specification Management, Supplier Quality Management and Projects.

External bodies such as laboratories, training providers, auditing bodies, FDA and local authorities such as EHO, trading standards.

Candidate profile (leadership & functional competencies)

• Strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving capabilities
• Skilled in presenting complex information effectively
• Experienced in physical processing of food ingredients, particularly dry powders
• Deep knowledge of Quality and Food Safety management systems and legislation
• Familiar with products, procedures, processes, and equipment used in food manufacturing
• Effective communicator and active contributor to cross-functional teams
• Proactive, positive, and collaborative team player
• Proficient in software tools including Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Demonstrated leadership in coordinating food safety initiatives across departments
• Competent in risk assessment and mitigation strategy development
• Open-minded, idea-sharing, and inquisitive with strong networking skills
• Decisive with a pragmatic and agile approach to complex challenges
• Experienced in delivering food safety training across site functions
• Skilled in supporting external audits (ISO, FDA, FSSC 22000) and internal reviews
• Capable of driving cultural and procedural improvements in food safety practices

Critical experience required

• Highly preferable HACCP Level 4 trained, Level 3 minimum
• PCQI certification preferred
• Formal qualification in internal auditing
• Minimum Level 3 Food Hygiene training; Level 4 ideal
• Degree-level education or equivalent industry experience
• Proven leadership in site HACCP teams and processes
• Experience in Quality and manufacturing environments
• Strong background in Quality Management and continuous improvement
• Skilled in managing multiple priorities with clear targets and timelines
• Project management capability
• Adaptable to dynamic and challenging operational environments
• Effective under pressure in performance-driven settings
• Experience leading external audits (FSSC 22000, ISO, FDA)

Danone is a major FMCG company in the UK, with market leading brands across three divisions: Waters (Evian, Volvic), Dairies (Actimel, Activia, Shape), Early Life Nutrition (Aptamil, Cow & Gate) and Specialized Nutrition (Neocate, Fortisip). Danoners are steering us to a more sustainable future, helping to make the world healthier. As a certified B-Corp, we have our Danone Impact Journey to 2025. This will only be possible with each and every one of our leaders. Do you want to be one of them?

The Specialized Nutrition category, offers nutritional solutions with the shared goal of improving the health and well-being of vulnerable individuals. This ambition stretches from the first day of pregnancy into old age, with similar activities in terms of innovation and scientific research. Specialized Nutrition focuses on allergies, from prevention to treatment, with Specialized Nutrition working hand-in-hand to foster synergies and strengthen Danone's leading position in this sector. The Nutricia brand is a key asset, thanks to a medical legacy of more than 120 years and a recognition of health leaders around the world. Nutricia is Europe’s largest specialist nutrition company and the market leader in the UK. We specialise in the delivery of medical nutrition for the very young, the old and the sick, supplying high quality feeds to patients and consumers. Our purpose is to pioneer nutritional discoveries that help people live longer, healthier lives. When it comes to finding a great place to work there are plenty of things to look for: inspirational colleagues, freedom in your job to make a real difference, and a shared ethos you can truly believe in.

What does future career progression look like?

HACCP Manager / Food Safety Specialist

Governance Manager

Factory Standards Manager

QFS specific roles