Compliance Lead | Southend | up to £45k | Mon-Fri 37.5
The Role
The Compliance Lead is responsible for ensuring that the Company operates in accordance with all relevant legislation, regulatory requirements, industry standards and customer requirements applicable to the food and packaging industry.
The role will take the lead in managing internal and external audits, maintaining compliance systems and documentation, monitoring changes to relevant legislation and industry requirements, and managing customer and supplier complaints through to satisfactory resolution.
Key Responsibilities
Compliance & Regulatory Management
- Ensure the Company maintains compliance with all applicable legislation, regulations, industry standards and customer requirements relating to its operations.
- Maintain an up-to-date understanding of relevant food and packaging industry legislation and regulatory requirements.
- Identify changes in legislation, regulations and industry standards and ensure appropriate actions are implemented within the business.
- Maintain and review compliance policies, procedures, records and supporting documentation.
- Work with relevant departments to embed compliance requirements throughout the business.
- Identify compliance risks or areas of non-conformance and ensure appropriate corrective and preventative actions are implemented.
Internal & External Audits
- Take responsibility for the planning, coordination and management of internal and external audits.
- Ensure the business is appropriately prepared for customer, regulatory, certification and other third-party audits.
- Coordinate the provision of documentation and evidence required as part of audit activity.
- Record and monitor audit findings, non-conformances and corrective actions through to completion.
- Work collaboratively with managers and departments to ensure actions arising from audits are completed within agreed timescales.
Customer & Supplier Complaints
- Manage and coordinate investigations into customer complaints.
- Liaise professionally with customers regarding complaints, investigations and corrective actions as appropriate.
- Manage complaints and quality/compliance concerns relating to suppliers.
- Liaise with suppliers to investigate issues, establish root causes and agree appropriate corrective actions.
- Monitor complaint trends and identify recurring issues or opportunities for improvement.
- Maintain accurate records of complaints, investigations, outcomes and corrective actions.
Continuous Improvement
- Support the development and continuous improvement of the Company's compliance and quality systems.
- Promote a strong culture of compliance, quality and accountability across the business.
- Provide guidance to colleagues and managers regarding compliance requirements.
- Escalate significant compliance risks or concerns to senior management where appropriate.
Required Skills & Experience
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
- Diligent, focused and methodical approach to work.
- Strong administrative and record-keeping skills.
- Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, legislation and regulatory requirements.
- Ability to manage internal and external audits effectively.
- Confident communicator with the ability to liaise professionally with customers, suppliers, auditors and colleagues at all levels.
- Strong problem-solving and investigative skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and work to deadlines.
- Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
Desirable
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance and certification requirements for packaging materials (e.g. food contact, BRCGS, HACCP, ISO 9001).
- Previous experience in a compliance, quality assurance or audit-related role.
- Experience of managing customer and supplier complaints.
- Experience of conducting root-cause investigations and managing corrective and preventative actions.
Personal Attributes
- Diligent and conscientious.
- Highly organised.
- Focused and detail orientated.
- Proactive and able to work using their own initiative.
- Professional and confident when dealing with customers, suppliers and external auditors.
- Able to challenge constructively where compliance standards are not being met.
- Capable of maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound judgement.
What’s in it for you?
- Salary up to £45,000
- Individual monthly bonuses given to those employees who show that extra commitment, drive and enthusiasm
- Monday to Friday 37.5 hours per week (flexible 8:00am – 4:00pm etc.)
- 34 days annual leave including Bank Holidays
- Company Pension Scheme 5% of gross monthly salary – Company contributions of 3%
- Life cover – 3 x annual salary
- Onsite parking
For more information please contact Sophie Barnes
