FOOD SAFETY OFFICER/ KITCHEN QUALITY TEAM

Job Description

Job Title: Food Safety Officer / Kitchen Quality Team Location: Kuwait Department: Quality Assurance / Culinary Operations Reports To: Head of Quality Assurance / Operations Director Job Type: Full-time Job Summary We are seeking a highly diligent and detail-oriented Food Safety Officer / Kitchen Quality Team Member to oversee and enforce the highest standards of culinary safety, hygiene, and product quality across our kitchen operations in Kuwait. In this role, you will be the custodian of kitchen compliance, ensuring that all food handling, storage, preparation, and presentation processes strictly align with local Kuwaiti municipality laws and international food safety standards. You will work closely with the culinary brigade to monitor operational standards, mitigate risks, and maintain premium quality across the establishment. Key Responsibilities • Compliance & Auditing: Conduct daily kitchen audits and inspections to ensure 100% compliance with local health regulations, HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), and ISO standards. • Hygiene Monitoring: Oversee personal hygiene standards of all kitchen personnel, ensuring proper use of PPE, hairnets, gloves, and uniform cleanliness. • Temperature & Storage Control: Strictly monitor and log refrigerator, freezer, and cooking temperatures. Ensure correct food storage protocols, including proper labeling, allergen segregation, and strict FIFO (First In, First Out) rotation. • Quality Assurance: Inspect incoming raw materials and ingredients from suppliers for quality, temperature, and freshness, rejecting any items that do not meet company specifications. • Traceability & Documentation: Maintain meticulous records of food safety logs, pest control schedules, cleaning schedules, and health certifications for all kitchen staff. • Incident Management: Investigate any food safety complaints or non-conformance issues, identify root causes, and implement immediate corrective and preventive actions (CAPA). • Staff Training: Design and deliver continuous on-the-job training for the kitchen team regarding safe food handling, allergen awareness, cross-contamination prevention, and chemical safety. Required Skills & Qualifications • Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Hospitality Management, or a related field. • Certifications: Certified in HACCP (Level 3 or higher) and/or ServSafe Manager. Knowledge of ISO 22000 is highly desirable. • Experience: Minimum of 3–4 years of experience as a Food Safety Officer or in a Kitchen Quality Assurance role, preferably within high-end restaurants, luxury hotels, or premium catering in the GCC region. • Local Regulations: Strong familiarity with Kuwait Municipality food safety regulations and Baladiya compliance requirements. • Languages: Fluency in English is required; professional proficiency in Arabic is a significant advantage for dealing with local inspectors and documentation. • Attributes: Exceptional attention to detail, strong leadership and communication skills, and the firmness required to enforce kitchen rules constructively.