Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing)
Principal Food Safety Officer x2
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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. From independent retailers and restaurants to 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 looking for an experienced and ambitious Principal Food Safety Officer to join our high performing Food Safety Team. This is a fantastic opportunity for an accomplished Environmental Health professional seeking a leadership role that combines operational management, technical expertise, innovation and public protection.
As one of our 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.
The Role
As a Principal Food Safety Officer, you will support the Food Safety Team Leader in delivering the Council's statutory food safety functions and ensuring the effective regulation of thousands of food businesses across the borough.
This is a varied and rewarding role that offers opportunities to:
- Lead, mentor and develop a team of Food Safety Officers and support staff.
- Oversee complex food hygiene and food standards inspections, interventions and investigations.
- Work with approved establishments, manufacturers, importers and other technically challenging food businesses.
- Lead serious complaint investigations, food incidents and food poisoning outbreaks.
- Manage complex enforcement activity, including prosecutions and court proceedings.
- Act as a technical expert and provide specialist advice to colleagues and stakeholders.
- Lead service improvement projects and introduce innovative approaches to regulation.
- Develop operational procedures, templates and best practice guidance.
- Work alongside national and regional partners, including the Food Standards Agency and other regulators.
- Deputise for the Food Safety Team Leader and contribute to strategic service planning and decision making.
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About You
We are looking for a motivated and experienced Environmental Health professional who can demonstrate:
- A Degree in Environmental Health (or equivalent qualification) with EHRB/CIEH Registration and evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
- Significant practical and theoretical experience in Local Government regulation of Food Hygiene and Standards, including inspections of high risk and approved food premises.
- Significant experience of enforcement, court proceedings and prosecutions.
- Experience of 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.
You will also have strong leadership skills, sound professional judgement, excellent communication skills and the ability to motivate others while maintaining high standards of performance and customer service.
Why Join Ealing?
This is an exciting time to join Ealing's Food Safety Team.
We are committed to developing our people and creating opportunities for officers to broaden their experience, develop specialisms and contribute to innovative projects that deliver meaningful public health outcomes.
Working in Ealing offers:
- Exposure to one of London's most diverse and technically challenging food sectors.
- Opportunities to work with approved establishments, food manufacturers, importers and complex food supply chains.
- Involvement in major investigations, food incidents, enforcement projects and partnership initiatives.
- Opportunities to lead on specialist areas such as approved premises, export certification, intelligence led enforcement and service development.
- The ability to shape policy, influence service delivery and introduce new ways of working.
- Genuine opportunities for personal development and future career progression.
- A supportive management team that values innovation, leadership and professional growth.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Generous annual leave entitlement and Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Access to extensive learning and development opportunities.
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Interested but have a lengthy notice period?
For the right candidate, we may be able to offer a short term agency contract through Adecco while pre employment checks and onboarding arrangements are completed, helping you join the team and start making an impact sooner.
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.
Apply Now
If you are looking for a leadership role that offers challenge, variety, professional development and the opportunity to make a genuine impact on public health, we would love to hear from you.
Please review the full role profile before applying and ensure your supporting statement clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria.
Join Ealing and help lead one of London's most ambitious Food Safety teams as we continue to protect public health, support businesses and shape the future of local authority food regulation.
You must have the right to work in the UK. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.
It is an exciting time to join us, here at Ealing Council. If you would like to make a positive difference to our residents and borough, then we’re looking forward to hearing from you.
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Ealing Council is committed to creating good jobs and delivering on its connected communities’ agenda. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive.
We therefore welcome applications from all residents of the borough, we particularly welcome applications from candidates who are entering the employment market in the early stages of their career and mid-career professionals, who are currently underrepresented in Ealing’s workforce.
Please note all applications will be determined on merit.
Closing date: 12 October 2026
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