COMPANY OVERVIEW
NEOM is an accelerator of human progress and a vision of what a new future might look like. A region in northwest Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea, NEOM is being built from the ground up to include hyperconnected, cognitive cities, ports, next-generation infrastructure and industries, enterprise zones, research centers, sports and entertainment venues and tourist destinations.
As a destination, it will be a home for people who dream big and want to be part of building a new model for exceptional livability, creating thriving businesses and reinventing environmental conservation.
As a workplace, it is a place for people who share our core values of care, curiosity, diversity, passion, respect, and becoming a catalyst for change.
Are you ready to help NEOM find solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges? Are you prepared to create a lasting legacy that benefits generations to come? Then we want to hear from you!
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Senior Manager, Food Safety and Policy, will lead and oversee the food safety and compliance initiatives within the NEOM Authority Food Department (NAFD). This role is critical in ensuring that food safety regulations are upheld, risk management strategies are implemented, and public health is protected. The position aims to set a new standard for governance to which NEOM aspires. The position will possess extensive knowledge and experience in food safety, regulatory compliance, and leadership, demonstrating the ability to influence and guide teams and stakeholders towards best practices in food safety and quality assurance.
REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY
- Leadership in Food Safety: Lead and oversee food safety and compliance initiatives within the NEOM Authority Food Department, setting high standards for governance and public health protection.
- Regulatory Oversight: Ensure adherence to food safety regulations, monitor legal changes, and collaborate with the Office of General Counsel to develop policies and standards.
- Risk Management: Identify and assess food safety risks, conduct audits and inspections, and implement systems for effective operational management.
- Data Management: Oversee food safety data and reporting, preparing performance dashboards for senior leadership.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Foster collaboration with government agencies and industry partners, while designing training programs to promote food safety best practices.
ROLE COMPETENCIES & ACTIVITIES
The Senior Manager - Food Safety and Policy responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:
Leadership and Strategy
- Develop and implement comprehensive food safety and compliance strategies aligned with NAFD goals.
- Lead, mentor, and manage a team of food safety professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
Regulatory Oversight:
- Ensure adherence to local, state, and international food safety regulations and standards.
- Monitor changes in food safety laws and regulations, providing guidance to the organization on necessary adjustments to policies and practices.
- Coordinate with the NEOM Office of General Counsel on developing and finalizing Policies, Regulations, Rules and Standards.
- Provide expert content and collaborate with other departments to address interdependencies.
- Assist in defining and acquiring the human capital needs and assets for efficient optimization and achievement of the function’s mandate
Operational Assets and Systems, and Risk Management
- Identify and assess food safety risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
- Oversee food safety audits, inspections, and assessments to ensure compliance, and identify areas for improvement.
- Identify with the senior management team and procure/implement assets and systems required to execute the Department’s services, activities and mandate (e.g., monitoring equipment, planning software, CRM, use of shared services)
- Develop effective working processes and procedures for the NAFD.
- Design a risk categorization framework to facilitate risk-based and evidence-based inspections.
- Review and recommend refinements to NAFD regulatory oversight, as necessary.
Data Management and Reporting
- Oversee the collection, analysis, and reporting of food safety data to inform decision-making processes.
- Prepare and present reports – including dashboards and scorecards – to senior leadership and regulatory bodies on food safety performance and compliance status
Training and Development
- Design and implement training programs for stakeholders and food businesses related to food safety regulations and best practices.
- Stay current on industry trends and advancements in food safety to ensure the NEOM Authority remains at the forefront of compliance and innovation.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Collaborate with government agencies, industry partners, and community organizations to promote food safety initiatives.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for food safety-related inquiries and concerns from the public and industry stakeholders.
Develop and Implement a Plan to Transition to End-State for All NAFD Functions:
- Ensure there is a phased transition plan for each NAFD activity to reach the desired end-state, using NEOM Vision principals: lean, efficient, and tech-enabled.
- Track and communicate progress to senior management.
- Ensure food risk analysis requirements are clearly identified and articulated.
- Anticipate and prevent food risks before they occur whenever possible.
- Communicate regularly, and develop strong relationships with NEOM peronnel and other stakeholders.
- Support the development of systems and processes for gathering and storing data for future analytic projects.
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- 15 years’ experience in the field of food safety.
- Strong initiative, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Fully understands NEOM’s vison as an Accelerator of Human Progress and is excited and motivated to help deliver this vision.
- Aligned to NEOM values.
- A Dreamer and a Doer – capable of implementing plans to make dreams a reality.
- Purpose-driven and pioneering mindset – drives change and introduces innovative solutions.
Qualifications
- Must have as minimum a Bachelor’s degree in Food Sciences, Biology (or related discipline) and preferably a Master’s degree in Food Safety/Risk Analysis, Food Science, (or related discipline).
