Food Safety Lead

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)