Location
Perceval House, Ealing, London, with hybrid working arrangements available. The role will require travel throughout the borough and occasional work outside normal office hours, particularly during major investigations, incidents or outbreaks.

Hours
Full time, with occasional work outside normal office hours as required.

Salary
£62,574 per annum

About the Role
Lead, influence and help shape the future of food safety in one of London's most diverse boroughs. Ealing is home to one of London's most varied and complex food sectors, including independent retailers, restaurants, food manufacturers, importers, approved establishments and businesses operating within national and international supply chains. The breadth of work is rarely matched within a single local authority.

We are seeking experienced and ambitious Principal Food Safety Officers to join our high performing Food Safety Team. This leadership role combines operational management, technical expertise, innovation and public protection.

As senior technical leads, you will help shape service delivery, support and develop officers, oversee complex investigations and enforcement activity, and play a key role in driving service improvements across the borough.

Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting the Food Safety Team Leader in delivering the Council's statutory food safety functions and regulating thousands of food businesses
- Leading, mentoring and developing a team of Food Safety Officers and support staff
- Overseeing complex food hygiene and food standards inspections, interventions and investigations
- Working with approved establishments, manufacturers, importers and other technically challenging food businesses
- Leading serious complaint investigations, food incidents and food poisoning outbreaks
- Managing complex enforcement activity including prosecutions and court proceedings
- Acting as a technical expert and providing specialist advice to colleagues and stakeholders
- Leading service improvement projects and introducing innovative regulatory approaches
- Developing operational procedures, templates and best practice guidance
- Collaborating with national and regional partners including the Food Standards Agency and other regulators
- Deputising for the Food Safety Team Leader and contributing to strategic service planning and decision making

This is an exciting opportunity to work within one of London's most ambitious Food Safety teams, delivering meaningful public health outcomes and supporting business compliance.

For candidates with lengthy notice periods, a short term agency contract through Adecco may be available while pre-employment checks and onboarding are completed, enabling an earlier start.

Experience
- Significant practical and theoretical experience in Local Government regulation of Food Hygiene and Standards, including inspections of high risk and approved food premises
- Extensive experience of enforcement, court proceedings and prosecutions
- Experience working in an agile environment and adapting to changes in legislation, guidance and regulatory priorities
- Experience of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion issues and their application within service delivery and the workplace

About you
You will be a motivated and experienced Environmental Health professional with strong leadership skills, sound professional judgement, excellent communication abilities and the capacity to motivate others while maintaining high standards of performance and customer service.

Qualifications
- Degree in Environmental Health (or equivalent qualification) with EHRB/CIEH Registration
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)