Food and Safety Lead Officer

The Regulatory Services Partnership (RSP) hosted by Merton Council is one of the largest Environmental Health Services in London, with the Food and Safety Team responsible for overseeing in the region of 6,000 food businesses in Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth. The area covered is diverse in nature and includes a variety of high profile and interesting venues, such as Wimbledon Tennis, AFC Wimbledon, Twickenham Rugby, Battersea Power Station, New Covent Garden and Hampton Court Flower Show.

We have an exciting opportunity for a talented and enthusiastic qualified professional to join our team of dedicated Food and Health and Safety officers to deliver the food safety, health and safety and infectious disease function across the RSP boroughs.

As one of 3 lead officers you will be expected to work across the boroughs responding to the priorities of each. The work will be varied and never boring.

You should have a real passion for improving the environment and public health.by engaging with our communities and businesses. You will be highly motivated, with a flexible approach and an eagerness to develop existing competencies as well as attaining new skills.

Whilst our administrative base in in London Borough of Merton, we operate hybrid working and provide touchdown points in all boroughs. 

If you’re looking for a chance to make a difference, alongside an excellent benefits package, then this could be the place for you.

Working as part of a busy team, it will be your responsibility, in conjunction with the other Leads and the Team Manager, to ensure that the team delivers and meets its statutory obligations, performance standards and service delivery plans.

You will be the technical lead in all food and health and safety matters including food hygiene and standards inspections, food complaints, investigation of accidents and communicable diseases You will use your professional and technical knowledge and expertise to support other officers within the team, leading by example. 

You must be a suitably qualified Environmental Health Professional (EHRB or CIEH Registered Environmental Health Practitioner or equivalent) with significant post-qualification, experience in food safety and health and safety enforcement. Ideally you will hold a higher level health and safety qualification, such as a NEBOSH diploma and/or have substantial health and safety enforcement experience.

What we offer:

Merton Council offers a competitive salary and membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, excellent holiday entitlement and flexible working along with essential car user allowance and mileage scheme for officers using their car for work.

Please see our why work for us page on our website for more information about a great range of benefits that go beyond salary and offer flexibility to suit you

Work for Merton : Working for us | Merton Council

For an informal discussion about these posts please contact Laura Aston (Food and Safety Manager) on 020 8288 5670

Closing date for all applications is 17th June 2025

 However, please note applications will be reviewed on receipt and candidates may be called in before the closing date if they meet the criteria