Training and Compliance Manager
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
|---|---|
| Salary: | from £38,778 a year |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | Darlington, DL3 6HX |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 20 Aug 2026 |
| Closing date: | 9 Sept 2026 |
Summary
The Training and Food Compliance Manager is a key role within the Catering and Facilities service, responsible for ensuring high standards of food safety, hygiene, training, compliance and continuous improvement across catering and retail operations. The postholder will work closely with catering managers, supervisors and frontline staff to provide professional advice, guidance and practical support on food safety, hygiene standards, allergen management, training requirements, Trust policies, procedures and relevant legislation. The role will involve promoting a strong food safety culture and ensuring that compliance is embedded within day-to-day operational practice. A major element of the role will be the coordination and monitoring of food safety and compliance training. This will include identifying training requirements, maintaining accurate training records, supporting the delivery of training and ensuring staff complete mandatory and role-specific training within required timescales. The postholder will also evaluate training effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement. The role will be responsible for planning and undertaking food safety inspections, audits and compliance monitoring across catering and retail areas. This will include reviewing working practices, food handling, storage, temperature control, cleaning and hygiene standards, allergen controls, documentation and overall compliance. Where issues are identified, the postholder will work with managers to develop appropriate corrective and preventative actions and monitor their completion. The postholder will support the service in preparing for and responding to internal and external inspections, audits and regulatory visits. This will include coordinating information, providing evidence of compliance, supporting managers during inspections and ensuring any resulting actions are addressed within agreed timescales. The role will also involve investigating food safety incidents, complaints, non-conformances and areas of concern. The postholder will establish the circumstances surrounding incidents, identify underlying or root causes and recommend improvements to reduce the risk of recurrence. This may require working with a range of departments and professional groups to ensure appropriate actions are implemented. An important part of the role will be maintaining and reviewing food safety documentation, procedures, risk assessments, training materials and monitoring systems. The postholder will ensure these remain current, practical and aligned with legislation, national guidance and Trust requirements. They will contribute to the development of new processes and initiatives where improvements in food safety, quality or compliance are required. The postholder will use audit and monitoring information to identify trends, recurring issues and opportunities for improvement. They will produce reports and provide assurance to senior managers regarding food safety standards, training compliance, audit outcomes and outstanding actions. The role will require the ability to analyse information and translate findings into practical improvements. The role will require regular engagement with staff at all levels. The successful candidate will need to communicate confidently and professionally, provide constructive challenge where standards are not being met and support staff to understand what is required and why. The approach should be supportive and educational while maintaining clear accountability for compliance. The postholder will also contribute to continuous improvement across the Catering and Facilities service. This may include reviewing operational practices, supporting service developments, contributing to quality improvement projects and identifying opportunities to improve customer experience, food safety, efficiency and consistency. The role requires a proactive and organised individual who can manage competing priorities, work independently and respond effectively to emerging food safety or compliance issues. The postholder must be able to work collaboratively with operational teams while maintaining professional independence when assessing compliance. The Training and Food Compliance Manager will therefore play a key role in providing assurance that catering and retail services operate safely, legally and consistently, while supporting staff through effective training, education, monitoring and continuous improvement.