Food Safety Administrator

Babergh; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 27,000 - GBP 32,000; Part time

Job summary

A local government organization is looking for a part-time Administrator to support the Food and Safety Team in Ipswich. This role requires relevant qualifications at NVQ Level 3 and strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office. You will be responsible for both technical and administrative tasks, including audit assessments and maintaining records. The organization values effective communication and a sensitivity to diverse situations. Generous leave and flexible working arrangements are offered along with a competitive salary.

Benefits

Generous leave entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Wellbeing Support

Private Health Care Options

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role is desirable.
• Ability to communicate tactfully with different groups.
• Experience dealing with public and commercial businesses.

Responsibilities

• Collect samples and information for food safety investigations.
• Conduct audit assessments of low-risk food businesses.
• Maintain and update records and produce reports.

Skills

Effective communication

Strong IT skills

Investigative skills

Understanding of local government

Education

Relevant qualifications at NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
• Address: Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX
• Salary: £27,694 - £31,022 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: Part Time, 18.5 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent

Job Description

We are looking for an Administrator (Admin and Technical Support Officer) to join our Food and Safety Team.

If you share our values and you are motivated to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities, we would love to hear from you.

About The Role

You will carry out and be responsible for a range of technical and administrative duties in support of the Food and Safety regulatory service area, both in and out of the office.

Duties

• collect samples and information from premises and households, assist with food poisoning and private water supply investigations
• carry out audit assessments of low-risk food businesses
• maintain and update computer based and paper records including complex spreadsheets and produce reports from the data
• process requisitions, invoices and payments for supplies and services
• maintain equipment, stocks of consumables and work out low-cost ways of replacing consumables for ongoing projects.

About You

We are looking for a confident Administrator with relevant qualifications at NVQ Level 3 or equivalent knowledge gained through experience. Experience of working in a similar role and environment would be desirable.

Requirements

• to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the wide range of services provided by the Food and Safety Team as well as a working knowledge of local government
• experience in liaising with external government agencies and customers in a service industry would be beneficial
• to be an effective communicator, you will have an inquisitive mindset with the ability to ask questions, seek clarification and exchange information using tact and diplomacy with a range of different people and groups
• experience in dealing with members of the public as well as commercial businesses and will display the sensitivity required for sometimes difficult situations
• strong IT skills, particularly with Microsoft Office is a must have and some Investigative/analysing skills, as you will be undertaking various questionnaires, investigations and reports such as infectious disease questionnaires
• a working knowledge and interest in environmental health services would be desirable, in order to support with a range of tasks.

About Us

At Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils we are passionate about building communities that people want to live, work, visit and invest in.

We serve around 200,000 residents across our two districts and are well known for our collaboration and partnership working across public, private and voluntary sectors.

We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work, with:

• 60 conservation areas
• two National Landscapes
• many picturesque market towns

It is no surprise we are ranked among the top 50 places to live in the UK (United Kingdom).

Benefits

• Generous leave entitlement (26 days a year, rising to 31 days after 5 years)
• Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme
• Wellbeing Support and Employee Assistance Programs
• Private Health Care Options
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Paid volunteering days
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (Business needs permitting)
• Great learning and development opportunities.

For more information, visit our Employee Benefits page.

Our ways of working

We believe work is what we do, not just where we go.

We work in a hybrid way, with a mix of office, home, and remote based working (Business need permitting). Our hybrid working arrangements support flexibility and collaboration, helping our teams to thrive.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, providing opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible services for our residents.

For more information

For an informal discussion or to learn more about the hybrid working approach for this role, please contact Sally Haggerstone – Food and Safety Manager by telephone on 07545 500826 or email [e-mail].

Please read the Job Description and Person Specification (pdf) and the Addendum (pdf) before applying for this job opportunity.

Closing date

5pm, 20 February 2026.

How To Apply

Please ensure your:

• application form is fully completed, including employment and education history
• supporting statement clearly addresses how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

About The Team

How to apply:

1. read the advert and the Job Description and Person Specification (JD and PS).
2. complete the Supporting Statement template
3. complete the online application and upload your statement.

Your statement needs to indicate how you meet the criteria in the ‘Person specification ’ section of the JD and PS.

Your statement should:

• Be no more than 2 sides of A4
• use the template provided (other formats will not be accepted)
• be uploaded on your online application, as without this, your interest will not be progressed.