Food Safety Specialist – Grocery Retail & Quick Commerce

Food Safety and Quality Specialist wanted at a leading grocer Retail & Quick Commerce Industry in Dubai. Food safety professional who is passionate about maintaining the highest standards of food quality, regulatory compliance, health & safety, and customer satisfaction within a fast-paced retail environment.

Job Responsibilities

Food Safety & Quality Management

• Collaborate with local and regional departments to achieve food safety, quality, and business objectives.
• Ensure all employees receive mandatory food safety and quality training programs.
• Develop, distribute, and maintain food safety training materials, procedures, templates, and operational guidelines.
• Conduct regular food safety inspections, hygiene audits, and compliance assessments across store operations.
• Investigate food safety incidents, customer complaints, potential hazards, and unsafe conditions.
• Analyze findings and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
• Support the resolution of serious customer complaint escalations related to food quality and safety.
• Act as the primary point of contact between operations, quality teams, and legal departments regarding food safety matters.

• Coordinate product withdrawals, recalls, and serious food safety incidents when required.
• Ensure compliance with all enforcement actions issued by local food control authorities and regulatory agencies.
• Monitor changes in food regulations, standards, and legislation that may impact business operations.
• Recommend updates to food safety procedures based on operational or regulatory changes.
• Support food safety and quality assurance activities for own-brand and private-label products.
• Coordinate laboratory testing programs with accredited external laboratories.
• Maintain product documentation including:
  • Product specifications
  • Product approval records
  • Nutritional information
  • Label compliance documentation
  • Supplier questionnaires and documentation
• Conduct supplier assessments and food safety audits.
• Execute mystery shopper evaluations and product sampling activities across stores.
• Prepare and present food safety and quality performance reports to management and stakeholders.

Health & Safety Responsibilities

• Execute workplace health and safety inspection programs across operational sites.
• Participate in internal and external HSE audits and support corrective action implementation.
• Investigate workplace accidents, incidents, near misses, and safety concerns.
• Maintain accurate incident records and support root cause analysis investigations.
• Coordinate with operations and maintenance teams to ensure safe working conditions.
• Support implementation of preventive maintenance programs to protect employee health and safety.
• Deliver engaging health and safety training sessions for employees at all levels.
• Communicate technical HSE information in a practical and easy-to-understand manner.
• Promote a strong food safety and safety culture throughout the organization.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Quality Assurance, Microbiology, Public Health, Occupational Health & Safety, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Food Quality Management, Health & Safety, or Regulatory Compliance.
• Previous experience within:
  • Grocery Retail
  • Supermarkets
  • Quick Commerce
  • Food Manufacturing
  • Food Service Operations
  • Distribution and Supply Chain Environments
• Strong understanding of:
  • HACCP Principles
  • GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)
  • Food Safety Management Systems
  • Occupational Health & Safety Standards
  • Food Regulatory Compliance
• Experience conducting risk assessments, hazard analysis, and implementing mitigation measures.
• Knowledge of UAE and regional food safety regulations and food trading standards.
• Experience interacting with food safety authorities and government regulatory agencies.
• Strong project and program management skills.
• Experience managing food safety initiatives across multiple store locations.
• Proficiency in using technology-based compliance and quality management systems.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong cross-functional relationships and work effectively within diverse teams.

Preferred Skills

• HACCP Certification
• ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Systems knowledge
• Internal Auditor Certification
• NEBOSH, IOSH, or equivalent Health & Safety qualification
• Supplier Audit and Vendor Compliance experience
• Food Recall and Crisis Management experience
• Regulatory Affairs and Product Compliance knowledge

Disclaimer: FoodTechSafety.com is a membership-based platform. Job listings are posted by employers, and all hiring decisions are made solely between the employer and the job seeker.

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