The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
From Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager (L5)
3-5 years as a successful L5 Manager, overseeing a large site or regional function.Skills to master
- Moving from managing a site's P&L to a business unit's. Developing global regulatory interpretation skills. Mastering executive-level communication and board presentations. Building and leading a 'team of teams'.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led a major site through a complex GFSI audit with top scores.
- Demonstrated ability to manage and resolve significant food safety incidents without escalation to a recall.
- Consistently met or exceeded site-level food safety KPIs and budget targets.
- Proven capability to mentor and develop junior managers and specialists.
- Actively participated in cross-functional strategic projects beyond your direct site responsibilities.
- 2
External Hire from a similar Director/VP role
Direct entry for candidates with 16-20 years experience in a comparable industry and role.Skills to master
- Adapting to our specific product portfolio, supply chain, and organisational culture. Building relationships with our key internal and external stakeholders. Understanding our unique regulatory landscape and market challenges.
You're ready to move on when
- A strong track record of leading food safety and regulatory functions in complex, multi-national organisations.
- Demonstrable experience managing large teams and significant budgets.
- Proven ability to navigate high-stakes regulatory environments and crisis situations.
- A clear understanding of the strategic challenges and opportunities in the food safety sector.