Food Safety Officer

Food Safety Officer to join a retail supermarket team in Dubai. The ideal candidate will ensure that all food safety and hygiene standards are consistently maintained in compliance with Dubai Municipality regulations, HACCP principles, and internal company policies. This role is ideal for a recent graduate or early-career professional passionate about public health and food safety within a retail environment.

Responsibilities – Food Safety Officer

1. Food Safety Monitoring & Compliance:

• Conduct routine inspections of food handling areas, storage rooms, and display units to ensure compliance with hygiene and food safety standards.
• Monitor and record storage temperatures for chillers, freezers, and hot food units to ensure proper cold and hot chain management.
• Ensure food products are correctly labeled, stored, and displayed in compliance with UAE food laws and regulations.

2. Staff Training & Awareness:

• Support the implementation of food hygiene training programs for store employees, including safe food handling, personal hygiene, and cleaning procedures.
• Ensure that all food handlers are aware of their responsibilities under the HACCP system and Dubai Municipality guidelines.

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3. Documentation & Record Keeping:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date food safety records including cleaning schedules, temperature logs, pest control reports, and training documentation.
• Prepare internal audit reports and assist during third-party and government inspections.

4. Risk Assessment & Corrective Action:

• Identify potential food safety risks and non-compliance during daily operations and report findings to the Quality Manager or Store Manager.
• Recommend and monitor corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for food safety concerns and ensure timely resolution.

5. Regulatory Liaison:

• Coordinate with external auditors, pest control service providers, and local food safety authorities (e.g., Dubai Municipality) for inspections and audits.
• Assist in maintaining up-to-date food safety permits and certifications for the store.

6. Shelf Life & Expiry Checks:

• Food Safety Officer must supervise daily checks on product shelf life and remove expired or damaged items from the display.
• Implement the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) method to reduce food waste and ensure product quality.

Qualifications

• Educational Background:
  Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Microbiology, Public Health, Food Safety Officer or a related discipline.
• Experience:
  0–3 years of experience in food safety, quality control, or hygiene assurance. Experience in a retail, supermarket, or food service environment is highly desirable.
• Certifications (Preferred):
  • Basic Food Safety Training or Person-In-Charge (PIC) Level 3 certificate approved by Dubai Municipality.
  • HACCP certification is a plus.
• Knowledge Requirements:
  • Familiarity with HACCP, Good Hygiene Practices (GHP), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
  • Understanding of Dubai Municipality Food Code and local food safety laws.

• Skills & Attributes:
  • Strong attention to detail with excellent observation and reporting skills.
  • Good verbal and written communication in English; knowledge of Hindi or Arabic is a plus.
  • Ability to train and guide junior staff on food hygiene practices.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced retail environment and during shifts, including weekends and holidays.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for reporting and documentation.