About the role:
At Lincolnshire Co-op, our commitment to protecting people, property, and the planet is at the heart of everything we do. We’re looking for a proactive and values-driven Food Safety & Trading Standards Advisor to join our Health, Safety and Security team. This is an exciting opportunity to influence compliance, best practice, and continuous improvement across our diverse trading estate – including food stores, pharmacies, funeral homes, and office locations.
As a key member of the team, you will ensure our operations remain safe, compliant, and risk-aware. You’ll provide expert guidance on food safety and trading standards, supporting operational teams and suppliers to meet legal and internal requirements. Your role will include:
1. Acting as the Society lead for Primary Authority Partnerships (PAPs) and managing enquiries from local authorities to ensure compliance and strong working relationships.
2. Supporting supplier due diligence and ensuring policies, procedures, and practices meet the required standards for food safety and trading standards.
3. Conducting audits, inspections, and investigations across our estate, identifying risks, root causes, and recommending corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
4. Developing, delivering, and maintaining food safety and trading standards training programs in partnership with our Learning & Development team to embed best practice.
5. Monitoring legislative changes, emerging risks, and industry trends to proactively advise the business and support continuous improvement.
6. Engaging with colleagues and external stakeholders, including regulators, insurers, contractors, and suppliers, to promote a culture of compliance, safety, and excellence.
7. Supporting complex matters that cannot be resolved at first contact and contributing to the ongoing success of the HSS team through collaborative problem-solving.
For more detailed information, please refer to the job description which is available as a download on this page. INDMP
About You
We are looking for someone with the expertise, drive, and practical approach to make a real impact across the Society. You’ll ideally bring:
8. A recognised food safety qualification (Level 4 Award or above), or a willingness to work towards one with full training provided; a relevant degree or additional certifications such as HACCP Level 4, Trading Standards Practitioner Certificate, or BRC Lead Auditor would be advantageous.
9. In-depth knowledge of UK food safety and trading standards legislation (e.g. HACCP, allergen management, consumer protection, weights and measures).
10. Experience conducting audits, investigations, or inspections in food retail, catering, or manufacturing environments.
11. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to train, guide, and influence colleagues at all levels.
12. Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and confidence in engaging with external bodies such as EHOs, FSA, and other regulators.
13. A proactive, practical, and solutions-focused approach to problem-solving, with the ability to drive continuous improvement across multiple sites.
14. A full UK driving licence and access to a car for business travel, as the role involves visiting multiple locations across the estate.
If you are passionate about food safety, trading standards, and ensuring compliance across a diverse society, and want to make a tangible impact in a values-driven organisation, we would love to hear from you today!
Benefits:
In addition to working for a successful co-operative business, we offer our colleagues fantastic benefits, including:
15. 30 days annual leave (including bank holidays) (pro-rata)
16. Pension scheme (with up to 12% employer contributions)
17. Generous colleague discount rates across our family of businesses
18. Annual discretionary colleague bonuses to reward you for your hard work
19. Free tea and coffee provisions for all colleagues during rest breaks at work