Purpose
:
The Allergen Officer will play a critical role within Manchester United’s Catering team, ensuring robust food safety governance and allergen control across all Match Day and Non-Match Day operations. You will oversee the creation, management, and maintenance of accurate food specifications, with a particular focus on allergen management in compliance with current legislation such as Natasha’s Law.
Working closely with the Culinary, Procurement, Regulatory Services and Service Delivery teams, this role is central to safeguarding guest and staff well-being, ensuring transparency in food information, and supporting the consistent delivery of safe, high-quality catering services throughout the stadium.
The Role:
Key Responsibilities:
1. To provide first line assurance for Food Safety within the catering department.
2. Proactively work in collaboration with both the culinary team and regulatory services to lead all food safe practices, including digital paperwork & allergens.
3. Lead the management and delivery of allergen and ingredient information across all food offerings, ensuring full compliance with Natasha’s Law and other relevant legislation.
4. Develop, implement, and maintain an accurate and structured allergen tracking system using standardised recipe templates and specification sheets.
5. Manage the lifecycle of recipes including creation, version control, substitution management, and ingredient changes, ensuring information integrity across all platforms.
6. Collaborate with suppliers to validate product information, highlight anomalies, and ensure timely resolution of discrepancies.
7. Ensure all allergen and ingredient data is inputted into the central database accurately, aligned with internal conventions and industry standards.
8. Monitor and escalate project timelines and risks to relevant stakeholders to ensure targets are met.
9. Act as the subject matter expert for all allergen-related queries and represent the Catering function in internal food safety reviews.
10. Provide ongoing allergen and food safety training to the Catering and Culinary teams to reinforce compliance and awareness.
11. Maintain and update HACCP documentation and support internal audits and inspections as required.
12. Support the Executive Head Chef with food safety initiatives, allergen strategy, and continuous improvement efforts.
13. Ad hoc kitchen audits to ensure Level 3 (or above) Food Safety
The Person:
Essential:
14. Proven experience in allergen management and food safety within a catering, hospitality, or food production environment
15. Strong working knowledge of Natasha’s Law and current UK food legislation
16. Excellent data accuracy, analytical thinking, and attention to detail
17. High competency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
18. Effective communication skills, with the ability to engage internal stakeholders and external suppliers professionally
19. Self-motivated, proactive, and able to remain resilient under pressure
20. Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
21. Demonstrated passion for food safety and a commitment to continuous improvement
Desirable:
22. Level 4 Food Safety
23. Experience in stadium, events, or high-volume hospitality environments
24. Familiarity with food specification software or recipe management system
What We Offer:
At Manchester United, we recognise that our people are at the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a range of rewards designed to support your professional and personal well-being:
25. Annual incentive scheme
26. Wellness Support with access to mental health resources, digital health checks, and & nutritionists through Aviva Digicare+ Workplace
27. Exclusive Discounts through our United Rewards platform, giving you access to exclusive deals from the club and partners
28. Gym Facilities in our onsite locations and opportunities for regular social events and team-building activities
29. Enhanced family Leave Benefits and an opportunity to purchase additional holiday days
30. Enhanced Career Development with access to professional learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning, and internal training programs
31. A Supportive Work Environment that values diversity, equity and inclusion, and individual growth