Trading Standards Officer (Food & Feed)

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC625396
Salary Range: £34,273 - £37,570 per annum
Work Location: Bar End Road, Winchester (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 6 December 2026

Interview Date: 15 December 2026

Protecting Hampshire from Farm to Fork - Make a Difference Every Day.

Hampshire Trading Standards Service is seeking an enthusiastic Food and Feed Officer to join our Food, Feed and Animal Health Function.

Hampshire Trading Standards is responsible for enforcing over 290 pieces of legislation, helping to create a safe, fair and equitable trading environment while providing trusted advice and support to residents and businesses across Hampshire.

If you are passionate about protecting food and feed standards and safeguarding the public, we would love to hear from you.

The Role:

In this varied and rewarding role you will be instrumental in the delivery of a high-quality, risk-based regulatory service within the farm to fork area of work. A Trading Standards qualification in Food and/or Feed Standards, or willingness to work towards these, is essential for this role.

We are looking for a motivated and organised person with a passion for delivering high-quality food and feed standards work.

While the primary focus of the role is food and feed standards, a willingness to develop future knowledge within the farm animal health function would also be advantageous. As the service is intelligence-led, there may be a requirement to support other aspects of Trading Standards work on occasion also.

The role requires attention to detail, sound judgement, problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities.

With relevant support and training, you will be well equipped to undertake this challenging and rewarding role. You will be organised, resilient and flexible, with the ability to work out of hours occasionally when required. Above all, you will be confident in dealing professionally with members of the public, business establishments and partner agencies, including in sensitive and challenging situations.

What you’ll do:

- Deliver food and feed enforcement work across the Hampshire Authority area.

- Deliver a risk-based programme of inspections, interventions, investigations and enforcement activity.

- Investigate cases and take proportionate enforcement action where necessary.

- Contribute to the wider objectives of Hampshire Trading Standards and support cross-functional working where required.

What we’re looking for:

Essential Requirements:

- A sound awareness and understanding of food or feed law.

- Willingness to undertake essential Trading Standards qualifications for this role if not already held.

- Excellent communication, organisational and decision-making skills.

- The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver effective regulatory outcomes.

- A commitment to public service, continuous improvement and professional development.

Desirable:

- A recognised qualification relevant to Food and Feed Trading Standards enforcement (e.g. DCA, DCATS, certificate of competence).

- Experience of advising businesses and consumers or investigating offences, would be beneficial.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to play an essential role in protecting consumers, supporting legitimate businesses and delivering an effective food and feed standards service across Hampshire. Working within a highly respected Trading Standards Service, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a modern, intelligence-led regulatory environment.

To find out more about what we can offer you in return, please see our Benefits Package

We currently offer a flexible hybrid working model, combining county wide visits, home working and regular attendance at our Winchester office. If you would like more flexibility at work to help with the balance of life but still value contact with a supportive team who are committed to providing structured, face-to-face mentoring, shadowing and learning opportunities then this is the role for you.

Additional Information:

Trading Standards Officer (Food & Feed) Candidate Pack

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Rachel Wills, Trading Standards Team Manager on [email protected]

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.