Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager

NEOM is an accelerator of human progress and a vision of what a new future might look like. A region in northwest Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea, NEOM is being built from the ground up to include hyperconnected, cognitive cities, ports, next-generation infrastructure and industries, enterprise zones, research centers, sports and entertainment venues and tourist destinations.

As a destination, it will be a home for people who dream big and want to be part of building a new model for exceptional livability, creating thriving businesses and reinventing environmental conservation.

As a workplace, it is a place for people who share our core values of care, curiosity, diversity, passion, respect, and becoming a catalyst for change.

Are you ready to help NEOM find solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges? Are you prepared to create a lasting legacy that benefits generations to come? Then we want to hear from you!

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for leading and managing the Food Safety, Health, and Safety, and Quality Assurance (FSQA-HSE) standards across NEOM Community Food Services facilities.

This role involves overseeing food services across large-scale dining halls, catering and events, school food services, hospital services, retail services, and the operation of a central production unit.

Key duties include ensuring the implementation and maintenance of international and local standards, driving continuous improvement programs, managing audits and inspections, and enhancing digital solutions for quality and safety monitoring.

The manager plays a critical role in ensuring hygiene, quality, and safety while contributing to the sustainability goals of NEOM.

REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

• Strong leadership and analytical skills for establishing guidelines and parameters.
• Ability to identify risks and hazards through root cause analysis.
• Expertise in food safety management (HACCP, ISO 22000), quality (ISO 9001), and safety systems (ISO 45001).
• Competence in audit planning, inspection, and training.
• Experience in driving sustainability and waste management initiatives.
• Capacity to maintain client relationships and ensure contractual performance.
• Strong understanding of quality assurance and health & safety regulations.
• Proficiency in digital audit systems and process management.

ROLE COMPETENCIES & ACTIVITIES

The Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager’s responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

Stakeholder Management

• Maintain and enhance client relationships for continuous contractual performance.
• Collaborate with external suppliers to monitor quality systems and processes.
• Guide service providers toward ISO compliance and other industry standards.
• Ensure service providers’ adherence to FS, HSE, OHS, environmental management, and sustainability policies.
• Attend and represent the department in meetings and training sessions.

Change Management

• Develop and lead continuous improvement programs.
• Revise and maintain safety and quality systems to align with evolving requirements.
• Implement corrective and preventive action plans based on audit findings.
• Monitor trends and utilize data to recommend and implement improvements.

Project Management

• Oversee the end-to-end development of food safety, quality, and safety standards.
• Plan and execute audits and inspections across all food service outlets.
• Lead the development and maintenance of business continuity and emergency response plans.
• Manage digitalization projects for audit programs and quality systems.
• Analyze data and prepare performance reports for management.

Leadership

• Lead the FSQA-HSE team in achieving departmental goals.
• Identify and coordinate training needs for staff.
• Display commitment to team leadership and staff development.
• Ensure continuous compliance and improvement of safety, hygiene, and quality standards.
• Drive efficiencies in QHSE processes through enhanced digital solutions and procedure optimization.

Culture and Values

• Embrace NEOM’s culture and Values https://www.neom.com/en-us/about.
• Act with honesty and integrity by following best practices, and upholding the robust standards and expectations set out in NEOM’s Code of Conduct.
• Maintain fair, ethical and professional work practices in accordance with NEOM’s Values and Code of Conduct.
• Adhere to NEOM’s Policies, procedures, and controls to ensure compliance with rules. 

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Food Safety, HSE and Quality Assurance, or a related field.
• An effective leader, people and process manager, and effective communicator.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to work to strict deadlines while managing a complex, varied workload.
• Proven track record of successfully managing multi-site FS and HSE.
• Proven experience in theory and operations of Food Safety, inclusive of ISO 22000:2018, HACCP, Quality Management (ISO 9001:2015), and Occupational Health and Safety (ISO 45001:2018).
• Experience with ISO 14001:2018 and environmental safety would be beneficial.
• NEBOSH – OHS or ISO 45001:2018, certification would be beneficial
• Excellent working knowledge of Health & Safety and hygiene requirements and regulations
• Must have a flexible approach to work and be able to work as part of a team.
• Strong English language ability, both spoken and written.
• Must be confident using computers, tablets, and software applications, including Microsoft Office and other related systems.
• Initiative-taking, self-starter can work independently.
• Strong client and customer service focus.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to deal with people with professionalism, sensitivity, tact, and efficiency.
• Must have Middle East work experience.
• Remote working experience is beneficial.
• Teamwork oriented.
• High ethics, trust, transparency, accountability, self-starter.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food safety, HSE, Food Technology, and/or Quality Management.
• Relevant, updated qualification and certification in Food Safety, HSE, and Quality Management systems.
• Must be certified Lead Auditor for food safety and HSE systems
• Comprehensive knowledge of USDA, SFDA Food safety regulations, Gulf region food industry and catering quality standards, production methods, microbiology, and food processing.
• Comprehensive knowledge of all food safety standards customary within the food industry and mandated by government regulations, including the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) management system required by the Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA).