Food Safety Specialist – Spar Vacancies

Job Description

The Food Safety Specialist is responsible for driving food safety excellence across retail stores by developing effective strategies, providing hands-on support, and ensuring compliance with legislative and operational food safety requirements. This role focuses on training, auditing, continuous improvement, and clear reporting to enhance food safety performance and reduce risk.

Key Performance Areas

• Develop and implement food safety strategies to support retailers in achieving optimal audit and compliance results

• Identify practical and efficient ways to improve retailer food safety scores

• Support retailers in compiling and maintaining food safety documentation in preparation for audits

• Provide ongoing guidance to independent retailers on compliance with Regulation R638, including hygiene, food storage, display, temperature control, waste management, and staff hygiene

• Assist stores in implementing and improving food safety management systems, SOPs, cleaning schedules, pest-control checks, temperature monitoring, and hygiene standards

• Conduct risk-based audits and support self-audit processes

• Monitor and evaluate store food safety performance

• Coach store managers and staff on food-handling best practices, personal hygiene, allergen management, cross-contamination prevention, and legal requirements

• Implement and train management and staff to ensure compliance with legislation, company policies, and Assure-Cloud systems and procedures

• Manage Assure-Cloud invoicing processes and ensure accurate charging of stores through Finance

• Review third-party audit reports with retailers after each audit cycle

• Guide stores in understanding audit non-conformances and developing practical corrective action plans

• Track corrective actions, provide ongoing support, and ensure timely closure of findings

• Maintain accurate records relating to compliance, corrective actions, training, and risk-based improvements

Communication and Reporting

• Provide ROMS training and ongoing support

• Deliver retail support and training on self-audit processes

• Report audit results to ROMS, Senior ROMS, and ROD

• Prepare and present food safety performance slides for Regional Committee meetings

• Compile end-of-cycle summary reports for senior management, including store compliance levels, audit trends, high-risk areas, common non-conformances, and key improvements

Minimum Requirements

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Matric or equivalent qualification

• Diploma or Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Environmental Health, Microbiology, or a related field

• 1–3 years’ experience in food safety, retail food operations, hygiene support, or quality assurance

• Strong knowledge of South African food safety legislation, particularly Regulation R638

• Understanding of risk-based food safety principles, HACCP fundamentals, and retail food safety risks

• Experience supporting store teams, training staff, or resolving food safety and hygiene issues

• Valid driver’s licence with willingness to travel and spend time away from home

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities

• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills

• Clear communication and effective presentation skills

• Sound decision-making ability and a deadline-driven approach