Food Safety jobs

Site Food Safety Lead

Salary up to £50,000 per annum

Location: UK (Kendal, Site-based)

About us:

Join one of Europe’s fastest-growing nutrition success stories.

Kendal Nutricare creates world-class nutrition for every stage of life — from Kendamil infant and toddler formula to Kendalife adult nutrition. We’re a family-owned, purpose-driven business with big global ambitions.

In 2025, we were ranked the UK’s fastest-growing food and drink company, with Kendamil now one of the fastest-growing baby brands in the world, the No.1 Organic formula in both the UK and USA, and available in 40+ countries (and counting).

As the only British infant formula manufacturer, we’re proud to produce our award-winning products here in the UK using British full-cream milk, with no palm oil or unnecessary additives — trusted by families worldwide.

We’re on an exciting path – join us!

The role:

As the Food Safety Lead at our Kendal site, you will play a key role in maintaining and continuously improving the site’s Food Safety Management System (FSMS) in line with UK, EU, and FDA standards.

You will ensure robust compliance for both domestic and export markets — with particular focus on U.S. FDA and FSMA requirements for infant formula — while leading validation activities and fostering a strong culture of food safety across the site.

What you’ll be doing:

Food Safety Management & Compliance

• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of the site’s FSMS in line with HACCP principles and international standards for infant formula.
• Monitor and review programs to ensure full compliance with UK, EU, and FDA regulations.
• Conduct internal audits, inspections, and risk assessments to proactively identify and mitigate food safety risks.

FDA Compliance (U.S. Exports)

• Act as the site’s expert on FDA and PCQI regulations to maintain export readiness to the United States.
• Manage all food safety documentation and processes required for FDA and FSMA compliance.
• Partner with Regulatory Affairs to ensure alignment with evolving U.S. regulatory requirements.

Validation Leadership

• Lead the development, execution, and documentation of validation activities across the FSMS.
• Oversee validation programs including: Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems; Allergen cleaning and control; Thermal process validations (e.g., pasteurisation, UHT)
• Ensure all validations are scientifically sound, risk-based, and compliant with regulatory standards (FDA, Codex, EU).
• Maintain validation master plans, protocols, and reports, ensuring timely review and revalidation.

Training & Team Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and technical support to food safety and hygiene teams.
• Deliver training on food safety, allergen management, validation protocols, and FDA compliance.
• Foster a proactive, site-wide food safety culture through education and engagement.

Continuous Improvement & Risk Management

• Analyse food safety performance data and lead root cause investigations.
• Drive continuous improvement and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
• Identify opportunities to strengthen food safety systems, validation, and regulatory readiness.
• Monitor and review programs to ensure full compliance with UK, EU, and FDA regulations.
• Conduct internal audits, inspections, and risk assessments to proactively identify and mitigate food safety risks.

What you’ll need

Essential:

• Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Food Technology, or a related discipline.
• Formal qualifications in HACCP, PCQI, and/or food safety auditing.
• HACCP Level 4 required
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in food safety or quality within a food manufacturing environment — ideally in infant formula or high-care dairy.
• Strong knowledge of FDA regulations, PCQI responsibilities, and U.S. export compliance.
• Demonstrated success in leading validation programs (cleaning, allergen, and thermal processes).
• In-depth understanding of FSMS principles, food microbiology, allergen management, and hygienic design.
• Skilled in validation lifecycle management — from protocol design to data interpretation.
• Knowledge of BRC, ISO 22000, Codex Alimentarius, and CFR Title 21.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence across teams.

Desirable:

• Lead Auditor qualification would be an advantage

What you’ll get from us:

• The opportunity to work for the fastest growing infant milk brand in Europe, alongside a young talented team dedicated to serving thousands of passionate customers.
• We offer to all our employees:
• 33 days holiday (incl. bank holidays), pro rata to start date and FTE.
• Pension Scheme by Aegon, the Employer will match contributions up to a maximum of 5%
• Free health cash plan
• Free Gym Membership*
• Life Assurance at 2 x basic salary after 6 months of service
• EAP Programme
• New parents enjoy up to £350 worth of Kendamil products (excluding Stage 1 formula)*
• Employee Referral Scheme*

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £45,000.00-£50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Canteen
• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Referral programme
• Sick pay

Application question(s):

• Do you have good understanding of FSMS principles, food microbiology, allergen management, and hygienic design?
• Do you have at least 5 years experience in food safety or quality within a food manufacturing environment?
• Do you have strong knowledge of FDA regulations, PCQI responsibilities, and U.S. export compliance?
• Do You have HACCP Level 4 certification ?

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Kendal (Cumbria)