Food Safety Officer

Food Safety & QC Officer

Location: Dubai, UAE

Overview

The Food Safety and Quality Control Officer is responsible for ensuring that all food served meets the highest standards of safety, hygiene, and quality , in compliance with Dubai Municipality Food Code, HACCP, and other UAE regulations . The officer will lead the implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of food safety systems, including daily Foodwatch updates , while driving a culture of food safety across the organization.

This role requires a proactive professional who can train staff, liaise with regulatory authorities, and collaborate with management to ensure operational excellence and customer trust.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure daily compliance with Dubai Municipality food safety regulations and maintain continuous readiness for inspections.
• Update Foodwatch (Dubai Municipality online system) on a daily basis with accurate and timely records.
• Conduct internal audits, risk assessments, and mock inspections to identify non-conformities and implement corrective actions.
• Oversee HACCP plan development, implementation, and review , ensuring all CCPs (Critical Control Points) are effectively monitored.
• Verify compliance of suppliers and ingredients through vendor audits, COAs (Certificates of Analysis), and traceability systems .
• Supervise food storage, cold chain, cooking, blast chilling, and serving processes to ensure temperature and hygiene controls.
• Investigate and document all food safety incidents, near misses, and customer complaints, reporting findings to management.
• Deliver regular staff training on PIC roles, hygiene practices, allergen control, and cross-contamination prevention.
• Collaborate with chefs and production teams to maintain recipe integrity, portion control, and presentation quality.
• Support menu planning reviews to ensure food safety, nutritional balance, and compliance with labeling/claims requirements.
• Manage the calibration and maintenance of food safety equipment (thermometers, blast chillers, etc.).
• Stay current with regulatory updates from Dubai Municipality, ESMA, and international benchmarks (Codex, WHO, FDA/EU standards).
• Serve as the primary contact during Dubai Municipality audits, third-party certifications, and client inspections.
• Contribute to the development of continuous improvement programs , including digitalization of food safety records.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Safety, or related field .
• Minimum 5 years of experience in food safety/quality control, ideally in catering, institutional foodservice, or large kitchens.
• PIC Certification (Dubai Municipality requirement) – mandatory.
• In-depth knowledge of Dubai Municipality Food Code, HACCP, ISO 22000, and UAE food safety regulations .
• Hands-on experience with HACCP systems, audits, and corrective action planning .
• Familiarity with Foodwatch and other digital compliance systems .
• Ability to interpret microbiological and chemical test reports and advise corrective measures.
• Strong analytical, documentation, and record-keeping skills .
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; advantage if familiar with ERP/food safety software .
• Strong leadership and training capabilities with excellent communication skills in English (Arabic is a plus).
• Ability to work across shifts, weekends, and holidays , and under pressure during audits or incidents.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for extended periods during inspections and audits.
• Flexibility to work day, early, or night shifts as required.

Certifications / Licenses

• PIC Certificate (Mandatory) .
• HACCP, ISO 22000 Lead Auditor, or equivalent food safety certifications (preferred).
• First Aid/Occupational Health & Safety certification (advantage).

Important Note

This job description is indicative and outlines the key duties and responsibilities. The role may include additional tasks and responsibilities as required by the company to ensure food safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.