Trading Standards Enforcement Officer (Food Standards)
Contract: Temporary, Full-Time (6 month contract)
Rate: £45 per per hour (umbrella, dependent on experience)
Location: Hybrid (South Coast)
Hours: 37 hours per week
A South Coast Local Authority is seeking an experienced and motivated Trading Standards Enforcement Officer (Food Standards) to join their Public Protection team on an interim basis.
This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified Trading Standards professional with strong experience in Food Standards, food composition, labelling compliance, and consumer protection to make a meaningful impact on local regulatory work.
The Role
You'll take the lead on Food Standards inspections and investigations, ensuring food businesses across the region comply with statutory requirements relating to labelling, allergens, composition, claims, and product authenticity.
Working within a supportive and forward-thinking Trading Standards team, you'll manage a varied enforcement caseload - from food standards complaints and sampling projects to wider Trading Standards work - contributing directly to protecting consumers and supporting legitimate businesses on the South Coast.
Key Responsibilities
Carry out Food Standards inspections across a range of food businesses
Investigate complaints relating to mislabelling, allergen risks, misdescription, and unsafe or misleading food products
Conduct sampling programmes for composition, authenticity, allergens and compliance
Prepare and serve enforcement notices, penalties, and formal documentation
Support wider Trading Standards work such as product safety, illicit tobacco/alcohol, age-restricted goods and fair trading
Provide advice and guidance to businesses to help them achieve compliance
Maintain accurate records, case files, and evidence in line with council procedures
Work collaboratively with internal teams and partner agencies (Police, HMRC, National TS Teams, Licensing, ASB)
Essential Requirements
Diploma in Trading Standards, DTS, DCATS, or equivalent recognised TS qualification
Strong knowledge of Trading Standards legislation, particularly Food Information Regulations and Food Standards requirements
Demonstrable experience conducting Food Standards inspections, sampling, investigations, and preparing evidence for enforcement
Confidence in managing enforcement casework, preparing reports, and contributing to formal action
Excellent communication, analytical and report-writing skills
Ability to manage a varied caseload and work independently with minimal supervision
Desirable
Prior Local Authority experience within Trading Standards
Experience working within the Intelligence Operating Model (IOM)
Knowledge of product safety, fair trading, and weights & measures legislation
Interested?
To apply or find out more, please contact Jacques at Park Avenue Recruitment on 0203 795 4835 or email jacques@park-avenue.co.uk
Please note: Not all roles are advertised. I work with Local Authorities across the South East and wider UK, recruiting for interim positions in Trading Standards, Food Standards, Environmental Health, Private Sector Housing and Licensing.
Get in touch to discuss opportunities suited to your experience.
