Company: Hertfordshire Catering
Location:
Posted: May 5th, 2026
Location: Field-based across the region (Head Office: Mundells, Welwyn Garden City)
Salary Range: £53,663 - £57,094 per Annum (DOE)
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Reports to: Head of Standards
This role is critical in maintaining high standards of food safety, health and safety, and regulatory compliance across all HCL units. It is responsible for conducting thorough and timely investigations, reviewing EHO reports, performing internal audits, and driving continuous improvement initiatives and project implementations to support a safe working environment for all staff.
The role works proactively with key stakeholders to ensure that issues are identified and addressed promptly, corrective actions are implemented effectively, and continuous improvement is embedded throughout the organisation.
Lead and coordinate workplace investigations into accidents, near misses, and food safety/allergen incidents, ensuring KPIs and investigation timelines are met. Produce detailed investigation reports that clearly outline findings and required corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Ensure prompt escalation of reportable incidents in line with regulatory requirements (e.g. RIDDOR) and support the communication and implementation of recommendations to drive continuous improvement.
Lead continuous improvement projects to strengthen food safety and health and safety performance across the organisation. Act as a role model in promoting a positive food safety and health and safety culture, driving continuous improvement at all levels of the business. Work collaboratively with Operations, Training, Procurement, and Human Resources to ensure a cohesive and consistent approach to compliance. Ensure legal updates and key operational communications are effectively implemented and embedded into day‑to‑day practice.
Oversee the governance of the Quality Management System (QMS) and Environmental Management System (EMS), ensuring effective control and continuous improvement. Manage the internal ISO audit programme, ensuring audits are completed in accordance with the agreed schedule and documented with clear, actionable recommendations. Track and follow up on non‑conformities (NCs), ensuring corrective actions are implemented within agreed deadlines or formally extended where appropriate. Coordinate with the external certification body to plan and manage annual certification audits, non‑conformity closure, and ensure all certification requirements and timelines are met.
Review Environmental Health and Food Hygiene Rating reports, coordinate required actions with stakeholders, and ensure deadlines are met. Maintain professional communication with EHOs and provide support through the Primary Authority framework to ensure compliance and effective resolution of non‑conformities.
Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of regulatory, health and safety, and ISO requirements relevant to the organisation. Proactively communicate changes to key stakeholders and ensure timely implementation of required actions to maintain compliance. Lead and contribute to the development and implementation of company policies, procedures, Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS), and compliance audit documentation. Ensure ongoing compliance with health and safety legislation, Primary Authority agreements, HSE requirements, and statutory reporting obligations (e.g. RIDDOR).
Maintaining accurate tracking against agreed KPI's, proactively driving continuous improvements to enable these KPI's to be met. Present performance data and incident statistics to the Audit and Risk Committee, answering questions and addressing concerns along with driving improvement through shared visibility and stakeholder engagement.
Lead and manage the Compliance Audit Team, ensuring effective planning and utilisation of resources to deliver the compliance audit schedule, including term-time plus days where applicable. Monitor open non‑conformities (NCs) arising from audits, working closely with operational teams to drive timely and sustainable closure of actions. Provide leadership through regular 1:1 meetings, performance management via the AER process, and the development of personal development plans to support individual growth and career progression.
Provide ongoing training guidance and practical support on health and safety and food safety matters, working collaboratively with Operations, Training, Procurement, and Human Resources to ensure a consistent and cohesive approach to compliance across the organisation. Manage dedicated compliance inboxes professionally and responsively, providing timely advice on risk assessments (for both kitchens and individuals) and addressing safety concerns as they arise.
Liaising with key stakeholders, ensuring that the correct equipment is prepared and boxed for the mobilisation of newly onboarded sites. Support onboarding of new sites by coordinating new registration, appropriate food safety / health and safety documents and signage in mobilisation boxes ready for effective launch.
Due to the nature of this role, you must have access to your own vehicle, hold valid business insurance, and be willing to travel between multiple locations as required.
Closing date 15th May 2026
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