Food Safety Lead

About the job

Reporting to the QA Manager, the Food Safety Lead is responsible for execution and implementation of key microbiology and food safety programs for the local factory. The successful candidate will possess an in-depth knowledge of HACCP, environmental monitoring program and food safety. The successful candidate will be able to show an ability to identify food safety risks in a food production environment, conduct and prioritize risk analysis, and be able to work with production and management employees to drive root cause analysis and implementation of corrective action. This position will also support GFSI requirements as well as multiple customer food safety requirements for the site and be able to plan and direct activities concerned with development, application and maintenance of food safety standards for industrial processes, materials and products. Perform other Food Safety related duties as requested.

Key responsibilities include

• Develop, implement, and manage food safety policies, HACCP system and procedures for ECC, as based on global input.
• Conduct periodic (food safety) audits and inspections of food handling and storage practices in the plant. Collaborate with production and QA team to identify and mitigate food safety risks.
• Guide audits, visits and inspections from Customers, Certification bodies, Regulatory agencies or corporate oversite at the plant.
• Investigate food safety trends & incidents and implement corrective actions as necessary. Lead cross-functional teams to improve food safety practices and culture within the organization.
• Regular review of EMP & sanitation results and implement timely action for non-conforming results.
• Monitor and Maintain HACCP, CCP, OPRP sheets and communicate issues.
• Ensure CCP/OPRP validations are conducted on a regular basis and meet all requirements.
• Ensure allergen validations (where applicable) are conducted on a regular basis and meet the BC requirements.
• Drive root cause analysis on individual incidents and trends to reduce/prevent recurrence.
• Maintain, update procedures and conduct required and appropriate training for such procedures.
• Promote a safe working environment and good GMP’s.
• Committed to providing a safe food product.
• Works within all regulatory requirements.
• Perform all other related duties as requested.
• Ability to adhere to GMPs and all other food safety requirements.

About you

• Education: Bachelor degree in chemistry, Biology, Microbiology or Food Science or equivalent
• Language: mother tongue Dutch is a must and excellent English skills
• Minimum 5 years experience in food safety, including formal HACCP training
• Experience with GFSI food safety standards, preferably FSSC22000 or BRCGS
• High degree of computer literacy
• Ability to climb stairs, bend, stand, kneel, work over and under all equipment and machinery and be able to move about the entire factory, both interior and exterior freely

• Strong knowledge of food safety systems with experience of GFSI food safety standards, preferably BRCGS
• Rigorous and demanding to drive the right culture
• Team player
• Able to work under pressure with short delays
• Understanding of processing and processing technologies of food industry
• Immersed in latest quality and food safety regulations
• Creative and innovative to address a complex environment and set of stakeholders

• Teamwork and Cooperation –genuine intention to work cooperatively with others as part of a team.
• Initiative – doing more than required or expected in the job.
• Servant Leader – help or serve others, to meet their needs; focus efforts on discovering and meeting customer needs.
• Self-control – provides a measured rather than an impulsive response.
• Flexibility – ability to adapt to and work effectively with a variety of situations, individuals, groups and areas.

This role is located in MALLE, Belgium.