Official Veterinarian

Official Veterinarian Job Description

The Group

Vorenta Group consists of two major activities, HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services, and the Meat & Livestock Classification Services (MLC)

The Company

HallMark along with its sister company, MLC are a cornerstone in the UK Agrifood sector, providing resourcing solutions and innovative services for both government and industry. Our expertise spans Food Safety, Veterinary Public Health, Animal Health and Welfare, Export and Import Controls, Carcase Classification, Farm Inspection and more. Esteemed clients include Defra, APHA, the FSA and various national food producers and retailers.

Our company culture is built on teamwork, respect, and a shared passion for Food Safety. We promote open communication and foster a supportive environment where your ideas and contributions are valued and recognised. We are committed to your professional growth offering training and ongoing support to enhance your knowledge and expertise.

Line Management: Senior Veterinary Manager

Work Location: TBC

Work Hours: 40 hours per week over 5 days

Job Purpose:

To provide technical advice and leadership to the plant inspection team in an approved premises. Ensuring efficient and consistent Delivery of Meat Official Controls and associated tasks, as defined within the Manual for Official Controls (MOC). Building and managing effective relationships with the Food Business Operator (FBO) and other key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assess food chain information and conduct ante-mortem inspections of animals intended for slaughter to ensure their welfare and food safety.

• Verify compliance with animal welfare standards and provide constructive evaluations to support applicants for Certificates of Competence.

• Conduct thorough post-mortem inspections, including those for emergency slaughter conducted outside the slaughterhouse, to uphold safety and quality standards.

• Ensure adherence to regulations concerning Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy and Animal By-Products to protect public health.

• Monitor hygiene during the process and evaluate Food Business Operator (FBO) hygiene standards, traceability, and food safety management systems to foster continuous improvement.

• Collect and share inspection results to promote transparency and inform necessary enhancements.

• Evaluate food safety information and work collaboratively to enforce compliance with legislation.

• Gather evidence to support enforcement actions and partner with FBOs to develop effective compliance plans tailored to their operations.

• Maintain thorough documentation of enforcement actions and serve as a witness in legal cases to protect public health.

• Lead the plant inspection team, focusing on guidance and constructive feedback while continually assessing the competencies of Official Auxiliaries (OAs) and Plant Inspection Assistants (PIAs).

• Participate in training sessions for Trainee OAs, probationary Official Veterinarians (OVs), and veterinary students, providing positive reinforcement and useful critiques.

• Foster strong relationships with plant FBOs and other stakeholders, communicating operational updates and legislative changes clearly to enhance collaboration.

• Support the implementation of the Food Health and Safety Policy at the plant level and assist in thorough risk assessments by identifying practical control measures.

• Actively participate in investigating accidents and incidents, providing thoughtful recommendations for preventive actions to enhance workplace safety and operational efficiency.

Person Specification

Key Skills and Experience:

• Proven ability to work under tight time constraints in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities effectively with demonstratable problem-solving skills.
• Experience of following instructions and implementing key procedures.
• Proven experience in managing and reviewing documentation for accuracy and compliance.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience of working within a food business environment as a qualified veterinarian.
• Possess excellent organisational skills, written and verbal communication skills, and have an eye for detail.
• Ability to recognise and maintain confidentiality.

Desired Skills:

• Minimum 1 years’ experience as an OV or willingness to undertake the OV qualifications.
• High degree of self-awareness and the ability to identify training needs in others.
• Minimum 1 year’s knife skills experience or willingness to undertake training.

Mandatory Qualifications:

• Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS)
• Recognised Veterinary Degree
• Completion of the Official Veterinarian course

Package:

• Competitive Salary
• Private Health Plan
• Company Car or Car Allowance
• Visa Sponsorship (if required)
• RCVS Membership
• Employee Discount Platform
• Salary Exchange Pension
• Relocation Assistance (if required)

Please note that this job description and person specification is not an exhaustive list of the requirements of the role but a guide to the position. The role holder will be expected to complete tasks as required by an OV.