ISO 22000 Recruitment

ISO 22000 is the international standard for food safety management systems, designed to ensure food is produced, handled and supplied safely at every stage of the supply chain. QAagency specialises in recruiting professionals with ISO 22000 experience, supporting organisations where food safety, regulatory compliance and traceability are critical to commercial success.

ISO 22000 roles are typically found within food and beverage manufacturing, processing, packaging and distribution environments. These positions are largely site-based due to their close involvement with production, hygiene controls and food safety monitoring, although some roles include hybrid working where system management or supplier quality responsibilities are involved. Attention to detail, documentation accuracy and a strong understanding of food safety principles are essential.

Professionals working within ISO 22000 environments usually report into a Quality Manager, Technical Manager or Head of Food Safety. Responsibilities commonly include maintaining the food safety management system, managing audits, overseeing HACCP plans and ensuring compliance with regulatory and customer requirements.

Roles we recruit for within ISO 22000 environments

We recruit across a range of ISO 22000-focused roles, including QA Technicians and Quality Officers supporting in-process checks and documentation, Food Safety and Quality Engineers managing corrective actions and system improvements and Quality Managers or Technical Managers responsible for site-wide food safety governance and audit performance.

Many of these roles also involve integration with retailer standards and related frameworks, particularly within larger or multi-site food operations.

2026 salary insight: ISO 22000 roles

Based on QAagency 2026 salary benchmarking, average UK salaries for ISO 22000-focused roles are:

QA Technician or Quality Officer (0–2 years experience): £31,200
Quality or Food Safety Engineer (3–5 years experience): £39,500
Senior Quality or Technical Engineer (5–10 years experience): £49,300
Quality Manager or Head of Food Safety: £61,800

Salary progression within ISO 22000 roles is influenced by audit responsibility, customer exposure, shift patterns and whether the role includes ownership of HACCP plans, supplier approval or site technical authority.

Data based on QAagency 2026 salary benchmarking.

Market and hiring trends in ISO 22000 recruitment

Demand for ISO 22000 professionals has remained consistently strong through 2025 and into 2026, driven by regulatory scrutiny, retailer standards and increased audit frequency across the food supply chain.

Year on year salary growth from 2025 to 2026 has typically ranged between 4.1% and 4.7%, with the strongest increases seen at senior and management level. Over the past five years, salaries for ISO 22000-aligned roles have increased by approximately 19%, reflecting the growing responsibility placed on food safety functions.

Employers are increasingly seeking candidates who can manage audits confidently, lead corrective actions and work effectively with production and hygiene teams. Experience across multiple food safety standards and customer codes continues to attract a salary premium.

Location and salary variation

London and the South East continue to offer the highest salaries for ISO 22000 roles, particularly within large-scale manufacturing and group technical functions. However, strong demand in the Midlands, North West and Yorkshire has narrowed regional gaps, with average salaries in these regions rising by around 17% over the past five years.

For ISO 22000 roles, salary variation is increasingly influenced by site complexity, audit exposure and shift responsibility rather than location alone. Candidates with multi-site or group-level food safety experience tend to command higher salaries across all regions.

Recruiting?

Derek Tesciuba

99C2A456-67DB-49E7-A3F8-18119260269E.jpeg

Recruitment Consultant

derek@qaagency.co.uk

01245 377817

Sectors

Construction

Engineering

Food & Beverage

Manufacturing

Software & IT

Pharmaceutical