Meat Hygiene Inspector (MHI) or Official Auxiliary (OA)- Red Meat and/or Poultry
Exciting Opportunity: Become a Meat Hygiene Inspector with HallMark!
At HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services, we don’t just offer jobs—we provide meaningful career paths. As a Meat Hygiene Inspector (MHI) or Official Auxiliary (OA), you’ll play a crucial role in ensuring food safety, animal welfare, and regulatory compliance across the UK. Partnering closely with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), we uphold and advance industry standards in the meat sector.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re seeking dedicated individuals for MHI roles at various sites across England. Whether you’re an experienced MHI, an international veterinarian, or someone with industry experience eager to start a new career, we want to hear from you!
Available Roles:
Experienced UK-Based MHI – Red Meat, Poultry Meat, or Dual Qualified
International Veterinary Graduates – Trainee MHIs from RCVS or non-RCVS-recognised universities
Non-Veterinary Trainees (Poultry) – UK-based individuals with or without poultry experience; training provided
Senior Meat Inspector (Management Position) – Minimum of 8 years’ experience in meat inspection, including management
Locations:
Lincolnshire, Birmingham, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Wiltshire, Warwickshire. Map of locations.
What We Offer:
Comprehensive Benefits: Competitive salary, corporate health plans, car allowance or company car, retailer discounts, pension contributions, and more.
Diverse Roles: Engage in our 'farm-to-fork' approach, taking on responsibilities such as carcass classification, farm inspections, export controls, and food sample collection.
Relocation Support: Assistance provided for those relocating.
Comprehensive Training: Full FDQ training provided as required.
Work-Life Balance: Local assignments to reduce travel, with a manageable staff-to-manager ratio to support balanced workloads.
Visa Sponsorship: Fast-track visa sponsorship and support as required.
Role Overview
As an MHI, you’ll play a key role in maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare and food safety within meat establishments.
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OFFICIAL AUXILIARY (OA) JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Purpose: The Food Standards Agency’s strategic plan commits to the development of alternative or complementary delivery models, including their sustainable funding – for meat and other food businesses.
The Official Auxiliary primarily will assist the Official Veterinarian with all tasks, subject to the restrictions and to any specific rules laid down in EU and domestic Regulations and as interpreted as required by the FSA
Key Responsibilities
List duties and responsibilities including (experience, skills and knowledge)
STATUTORY DUTIES
1. Ante Mortem (AM) Inspection, Animal Welfare and Animal Identification
· Assist the OV in purely practical tasks as defined in the MOC and make an initial check of animals.
· Verify that animals are properly identified and take any necessary actions.
· Verify animal welfare activity including plant specific action plans and undertaking Animal Welfare checks at the required frequency as part of the Animal Welfare Action Plan.
2. Postmortem (PM) Inspection, Specified Risk Material (SRM) & Animal By Products (ABP)
· Carry out post-mortem inspection for detection of abnormalities of all carcases and offal presented.
· Identify and detain uncommon conditions for further inspection by the OV and Emergency slaughtered animals.
· Verify FBOs compliance with TSE regulations and SRM controls.
· Verify that carcase meat and offal rejected as unfit is removed, categorised, stained, stored and disposed of in accordance with legislative requirements.
· Verify FBOs compliance with ABP regulations
· Maintain an accurate record of post-mortem inspections and findings.
3. Health and Identification Marking
· Apply the health mark in accordance with the legislation.
· Verify the FBO application of the identification mark.
4. Food Standards Agency Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
· Correctly collect and dispatch samples for disease, conditions and residue purposes.
· Carry out duties stated under the terms of SLA agreements with Other Government Departments and agencies as defined in the MOC.
5. Verification and Enforcement data
· Collect information regarding verification of Good Hygiene Practices and HACCP based procedures as directed by the OV for the proportionate enforcement of non-compliances.
· Assist with the accurate recording and collection of data and any other operational information required by the OV.
· Awareness of current enforcement activity at the establishment
· Gathering and secure storage of evidence including use of plant daybooks and personal notebooks.
· Provide local intelligence to the OV
· Communication of plant standards to OV
· Verify continued compliance with public health, animal health and animal welfare
· Collecting evidence of repetitive non-compliance or serious deficiency with public health, animal health and animal welfare
. 6. Food Chain Information and Collection and Communication of Inspection Results
· Assess Food Chain Information and take action as appropriate.
· Record postmortem data and disseminate inspection data back to the FBO and primary producer.
OTHER DUTIES
7. Food Business Operator Liaison
· Establish and maintain effective working relationships with plant staff.
· Communicate decisions regarding postmortem inspections in consultation with the OV.
· Communicate issues found during the verification of FBO good hygiene practices and HACCP based procedures.
8. Team Involvement
· Assist in the supervision and instruction of Trainee OAs and others as appropriate.
· Maintain high standards of professional integrity, personal motivation and work closely with others team members.
· Demonstrate commitment to equal opportunities policies and procedures through the use of appropriate behaviours and attitudes.
· Accurately input data and information (business and personal) into appropriate IT systems.
· Assist with evidence gathering as required
9. General
· Maintain confidentiality of internal Food Standards Agency communications and commercially sensitive information.
· Identify personal training needs to undertake continuing educational activities including appropriate uptake of FSA training and CPD
· Ensure continued familiarisation with the Manual for Official Controls and other guidance documents as appropriate
· Any other duties as required by the OV.
· In the absence of OV ensure the set procedures are followed and standards maintained.
· Provide reliable witness statements for enforcement purposes and give live evidence in a Court.
10. Health and Safety
· Undertake duties fully in accordance with FSA Health & Safety Policy; report all accidents and potential hazards in accordance with Health & Safety Policy to management.
Qualifications & Skills
For Experienced MHIs:
Veterinarians: Red and/or white meat MHI experience in the UK, FDQ Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Knives, and postmortem inspection skills.
Non-Veterinarians: Red and/or white meat MHI experience in the UK, FDQ Level 4 Diploma in Meat Inspection, and FDQ Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Knives.
Poultry-only MHIs: UK experience and FDQ Level 2 Certificate in Poultry Meat Inspection.
For Veterinary Graduates from Abroad (Non-Experienced):
Degree: BSc or MSc in Veterinary Medicine from an accredited institution.
Non-RCVS Recognised Universities (e.g., Ghana, Nigeria): CEFR B1 minimum in English.
RCVS-Recognised Universities (e.g. EU, Turkey): CEFR B1 minimum in English (for those not meeting OV requirements).
Additional: RCVS membership not required, though international meat inspection experience is an advantage.
For Non-Veterinary Poultry Trainee MHIs:
Background: Graduates from agricultural colleges or individuals with poultry industry experience.
Current PIAs: Poultry Inspection Assistants in abattoirs ready for MHI roles.
Experience: No prior meat inspection experience needed, though abattoir experience is a plus.
Language: CEFR B1 minimum in English; must be conflict-free within the industry.
All Candidates:
General: Reliable team players, adaptable to rotating day/night shifts in poultry settings.
Additional Requirements: Valid UK driving license; strong communication, attention to detail, and leadership skills.
Start Date, Induction, and Training
Experienced MHIs: Induction and on-site training begin in February/March 2025.
MHI Training & Inductions: February 28 – March 28, 2025.
Official Start Date: Monday, March 31, 2025.
Ready to Elevate Your Career?
Click the button below to apply and start your journey with HallMark!