Dubai Food Safety Officer

Dubai Food Safety Officer to lead food safety, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance operations within a fast-growing premium plant-based frozen dessert manufacturing facility.

This is a strategic leadership role responsible for protecting consumer health, brand reputation, regulatory standing, and international export readiness. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with UAE food safety regulations while aligning systems with GCC, EU, UK, and US export standards.This role is ideal for a food safety professional with strong hands-on experience in ice cream or frozen dessert production, HACCP implementation, and international compliance frameworks.

Job Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance & Authority Coordination

• Ensure full compliance with Dubai Municipality Food Code and UAE food safety regulations
• Maintain HACCP systems in line with Codex Alimentarius standards
• Ensure compliance with ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000 food safety management systems
• Prepare the facility for export compliance across GCC, EU, UK, and US markets
• Act as primary liaison with Dubai Municipality and other regulatory authorities
• Lead and manage external audits, certification audits, and regulatory inspections
• Maintain valid trade licenses, product registrations, and regulatory documentation

Food Safety Systems Development & Implementation

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve HACCP plans and Critical Control Points (CCPs)
• Establish and maintain SOPs for production, sanitation, allergen control, and traceability
• Design and manage batch coding and recall management systems
• Ensure full traceability from raw materials to finished products
• Oversee allergen management programs and ensure accurate food labeling compliance
• Maintain document control systems aligned with international audit standards
• Conduct internal audits and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)

Ice Cream & Frozen Dessert Manufacturing Oversight

• Monitor pasteurization temperature and time parameters to ensure pathogen control
• Validate homogenization processes to maintain product stability and texture
• Oversee batch and continuous freezer operations to control product consistency
• Manage overrun measurement and control for optimal quality and cost efficiency
• Supervise hardening tunnel and blast freezing processes to prevent ice crystal formation
• Monitor storage temperature logs and ensure strict cold chain management
• Prevent microbial growth risks through proper mix handling and sanitation programs
• Validate shelf-life studies, microbiological testing, and product stability assessments
• Prevent freezer burn, texture degradation, and quality loss through process optimization
• Conduct routine hygiene inspections and GMP audits within the facility

Supplier Quality & Raw Material Compliance

• Approve and audit ingredient and packaging suppliers
• Review and maintain Certificates of Analysis (COA) for all incoming materials
• Ensure plant-based ingredient sourcing complies with allergen and labeling regulations
• Validate raw material traceability and expiry control systems
• Ensure suppliers meet international export compliance requirements

Food Safety Training & Culture Development

• Conduct food safety and hygiene training sessions for production teams
• Train warehouse staff on cold chain management and storage compliance
• Provide guidance to store teams (if applicable) on handling frozen products
• Foster a proactive food safety culture that goes beyond documentation
• Promote continuous improvement and accountability across departments

Incident Management & Recall Preparedness

• Lead investigations of food safety non-conformities and quality deviations
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement preventive measures
• Design and execute mock recall simulations
• Ensure recall readiness within 4 hours in line with international standards
• Develop structured crisis management procedures to protect brand reputation

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, or related field
• HACCP Certification (mandatory)
• Dubai Municipality Food Safety Certification (mandatory)
• 3–5 years of experience in ice cream or frozen dessert manufacturing (mandatory)
• Strong practical experience with pasteurization systems and homogenization processes
• Hands-on experience operating batch or continuous freezers
• Experience managing hardening tunnels and blast freezers
• Expertise in cold-chain management and frozen storage systems
• Experience measuring and controlling overrun
• Background in dairy and/or plant-based frozen dessert production

Food Safety Officer Qualifications

• Experience working in ISO 22000 or FSSC 22000 certified facilities
• Knowledge of EU, US, and GCC export food regulations
• Experience supporting international product registration and export audits
• Strong experience in regulatory inspections and food safety audits