Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£61,686 per annum

About the Role
Southwark Council is an exciting place to work as we transform the way we operate to reflect our drive for excellence. We value having the right people with the right skills in the right roles to deliver outstanding services. We are a large, ambitious and progressive council with a ‘can do’ attitude and an enviable reputation. Committed to our ‘Fairer Futures for All’ promise, we place residents and businesses at the heart of everything we do. If you want to make a difference at a local level, Southwark Council is the place for you.

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Food Safety Team for an experienced, dynamic and innovative individual to lead the team and manage the delivery of food law regulation and infectious disease control. The service delivers vital statutory functions protecting public health by regulating food businesses operating in the borough to ensure food safety and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

As Food Safety Team Leader, you will manage a complex caseload and provide expert advice and specialist knowledge to a regulatory service responsible for protecting the community. You will lead a team responsible for food safety and infectious disease control, ensuring the highest standards of customer care while contributing to the council’s local priorities and fulfilling statutory responsibilities.

Your key duties will include:
- Providing leadership and management of the team, offering direction and professional guidance
- Effectively managing direct reports through sound performance management and monitoring
- Creating and leading effective partnerships with key agencies such as the Police, HMRC, UK Border Force, London Fire Brigade, OPSS, Food Standards Agency, PCT, and UK Health Security Agency to deliver a multi-agency response
- Reviewing and monitoring performance and quality of services in line with the Food Law Code of Practice, relevant guidance, and council values
- Assisting the unit manager in strategic development and long-term business planning aligned with council priorities
- Ensuring the team delivers a high-quality service and achieves performance targets against national indicators
- Contributing to the strategic management of the business unit and policy development through individual input and management team membership

Experience
You will have broad knowledge and substantial relevant experience in food law regulation, with a demonstrable track record of motivating staff. Experience must include current or recent work delivering the full range of food law enforcement post qualification. You will be skilled in overseeing legal documents and case files, showing initiative in problem solving and decision making, and managing contentious issues with sensitivity.

About you
Strong communication skills are essential as you will work collaboratively with other council departments, government agencies, external partners, and members of the public. You will be ambitious, driven, and able to represent the division, department, and council on matters relating to food safety and infectious disease control. You will also assist with the organisation and training of junior officers, including trainees who may not be Southwark employees, providing mentoring and guidance.

Qualifications
You must satisfy the qualifications and competency requirements of the Food Standards Agency for individuals responsible for the direct management and delivery of food law regulation.