Senior Manager, Food Safety

FoodDrinkEurope is the organisation for the European food and drink manufacturing sector, the EU’s largest manufacturing industry, made up of 304,000 businesses and 4.7 million employees. 99% of the sector’s companies are SMEs.

We are seeking an experienced and science-driven Senior Manager to join our Food Safety team. This strategic role involves leading technical dossiers at the EU level and shaping the future of food safety policy. As a Senior Manager at FoodDrinkEurope, you will engage in high-level regulatory discussions and coordinate complex scientific and technical files that support consumer protection while enabling innovation across Europe’s food and drink industry.

Responsibilities

The successful applicant will:

• Lead complex policy files related to chemical substances in food such as contaminants and food contact materials;
• Set strategic direction and coordinate FoodDrinkEurope positions on food safety related matters;
• Represent the industry at high-level external meetings, including with the European Commission, EFSA, and international stakeholders;
• Organise and lead internal working groups, including the drafting of strategic and technical documents;
• Monitor and analyse EU policy developments and prepare high-level briefings;
• Draft position papers, activity reports, deliverables, and other project documents as appropriate;
• Communicate internally and externally, ensuring FoodDrinkEurope’s voice is heard in relevant policy and scientific discussions.

Qualifications

• A scientific background with a strong focus in food technology, analytics or food science.
• Between 6 – 8 years of relevant experience in any of the following areas: toxicology, chemistry, food safety and quality control, food processing, risk analysis in food safety or health, or environmental science;
• Work experience in EU regulatory affairs, trade associations, and cross-sector stakeholder engagement is highly desired;
• Experience in managing, advising and communicating complex topics to various audiences;
• Fluent in English (other EU languages are an asset);
• Hold an EU work permit.

Competencies

• Strong strategic and analytical skills and knowledge of food safety related regulation;
• Proven leadership and ability to drive consensus across diverse stakeholders;
• Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills;
• Skilled in managing complexity, multitasking, and prioritising effectively;
• Able to communicate scientific content clearly, including to non-specialist audiences;
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in multicultural teams.

Application

We are looking for the best talent, regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, colour, age, national origin, religion, disability, marital or parental status, or any other parts of one’s identity.

We also value diversity in backgrounds and in experiences and aim for a work environment where everyone can perform at their best.

As the workplace location is Brussels, we can only consider candidates that hold an EU work permit.

Please send your CV and motivation letter (both in English) by email to cvfoodeu@fooddrinkeurope.eu with the subject line “Senior Manager Food Safety: [your name]”.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We will not be able to acknowledge all applications received.

Candidate data will only be used for recruitment purposes and until the position is filled. Your data will not be transferred to third parties. Privacy policy can be found on our website.

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