Overview
Head of Compliance (75B) at Pret A Manger. Responsible for protecting Pret’s brand and ensuring the delivery of food safety and technical standards across equity shops, supply chains, and franchise partners. Accountable for the integrity of Pret’s food compliance systems, including specification management, franchise partner compliance, and safety KPIs globally. Reporting to the Technical & Sustainability Director, you will lead a multidisciplinary team to safeguard customer trust through accurate product information, robust food safety practices, and proactive risk management. You will drive continuous improvement by reviewing and evolving policies, embedding best practice, and collaborating across internal teams and franchise partners. You will ensure Pret’s standards are upheld globally to support market expansion, franchise partnerships, and transformation initiatives while maintaining high levels of food safety and brand integrity.
Responsibilities
* Lead compliance to Pret’s Food Technical & Safety Framework across equity and franchise operations; ensure implementation of food safety standards, legal compliance, and internal policies.
* Own and manage the specification function, with ultimate responsibility for recipe management systems and data accuracy across all equity markets.
* Oversee development of internal and external audit schedules and surveillance requirements; maintain and improve food safety and hygiene standards while proactively addressing risks.
* Drive policy development and review; update Pret’s food safety and compliance policies to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice, and operational needs globally.
* Collaborate cross-functionally to embed compliance into strategic decision‑making and support Pret’s growth across franchise models.
* Build technical relationships with franchise partners to drive engagement and delivery of Pret’s Food Technical & Safety Framework.
* Develop and lead a high-performing compliance team, including compliance managers, specification managers, and a food safety manager; foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
* Lead quarterly review and reporting of key performance indicators (KPIs); analyse trends and provide actionable insights to inform strategic and operational decisions.
* Represent Pret on relevant industry bodies to stay up to date with emerging trends, regulatory developments, and best practices.
* Audit compliance in line with Pret's internal audit requirements; ensure due diligence and processes are documented and tracked.
Skills & Experience Required
* Experience developing and implementing food safety policies in line with legislation and best practice.
* Experience verifying compliance across franchise models and international markets; ensure consistent standards and scalable processes.
* Involvement in business transformation projects, particularly around product systems, data integrity, or compliance frameworks.
* Stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
* Strong team management and experience in food technical leadership roles.
* A Level 4 qualification in HACCP, advanced Food Safety certification, and Lead Auditor training are desirable.
* Extensive experience in management roles in food manufacturing or retail.
* Recognised within the industry as an expert in the field.
Additional Information
* The role will include nationwide and international travel on a regular basis.
We Offer
* Gold Card: In-office food and drinks for you; up to 5 barista-made drinks daily and 50% off food and drinks when off-site.
A Few More Perks
* Up to 38 days of holiday including flexible Bank Holidays.
* Free private medical cover with option to add family at additional cost.
* 4% pension contribution matched by Pret.
* Life assurance at 3x annual salary.
* Loyalty awards at 5, 10, 15, 20 years of service.
* Flexi-time and hybrid working (3 days in the office, 2 days at home).
* Lifestyle savings, season ticket loans, healthcare cash plan, and financial wellbeing provisions.
* Free mortgage services; sabbatical after 3 years.
* Opportunities to support The Pret Foundation and meaningful community impact.
Our Values
* Happy Teams Happy Customers
* Amazing Standards Every Day
* Never Standing Still
* Doing The Right Thing
We’d love to get to know you, not a robot, so please do not rely on AI to complete your application.
Seniority level
* Executive
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Legal
Industries
* Retail
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