Are you an experienced compliance professional looking for a leadership role at the centre of technical governance, audit readiness, and regulatory excellence?

This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of compliance across a fast-paced food business, leading a dedicated team and ensuring continued adherence to UK & EU legislation, customer standards, and third-party accreditation requirements.

With a strong focus on data-driven decision making, sustainability compliance (including EPR), and cross-functional collaboration, this role offers real scope to shape processes, drive continuous improvement, and support wider ESG and technical strategy.

You will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Leading the compliance team to ensure full alignment with food safety legislation, customer expectations, and audit standards
• Planning, hosting, and coordinating third-party and customer audits across the business
• Maintaining and continuously improving the Quality Management System and internal audit programme
• Acting as the technical point of contact for environmental, ethical, and social compliance enquiries
• Supporting delivery of the technical and ESG agenda, including Sedex and Net Zero initiatives
• Owning packaging compliance data, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and recyclability assessments
• Using compliance data to provide insight on complaints, supplier performance, ethical compliance, and audit trends
• Ensuring effective communication and information flow between compliance, technical, operations, and commercial teams
• Supporting pest control, supplier approval, and service risk assessment processes
• Driving closure of non-conformances and leading cross-functional corrective action activity
• Contributing to HACCP team activity, ensuring risk assessments and food safety plans remain robust
• Managing departmental resources and supporting budget control and project delivery
• Coaching, developing, and line managing junior team members to build capability and progression

What’s required?

• Degree in Food Technology or a related discipline
• Several years’ experience within the food industry in a compliance or technical governance role
• Previous line management experience
• Strong understanding of UK food legislation and GFSI-recognised standards (BRC preferred)
• HACCP Level 3
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence at senior level
• Data-driven mindset with good IT skills (Excel, Word)
• Experience supporting or delivering ESG compliance (Sedex, EPR, Net Zero) highly desirable

What’s in it for you?

A high-impact hybrid role offering the opportunity to lead compliance strategy, shape technical systems, and support a growing ESG agenda — with strong visibility across the business and clear scope for progression.

Do you think you fit the criteria?

Want to find out more about the role?

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