David Kay
Food compliance, audit, labelling, policy
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About
Experienced food policy and compliance professional with a strong background in regulatory advice, auditing, quality assurance, and ethical trading. Skilled in stakeholder engagement, project management, and effective communication.
Key Skills
- Regulatory compliance & auditing, food law & technical standards
- Report writing & information synthesis
- Quality Assurance
- Negotiation & conflict resolution, Emotional intelligence
- Project management, Training & communication
Experience
Self-employed food, health and safety auditor
NSF, Long Hanborough Feb 2026 – present
Oxford Brookes University Nursery Assistant and Headington Quarry Foundation School Assistant. October 2024 to Feb 2026
Regulatory Advisor & Code of Practice Administrator The Health Food Manufacturers’ Association | 2021– 2023
Regulatory advice on food supplements, health foods, and beauty products, code of practice administration of complaints received from members.
Waitrose | 2018–2021
Retail sales and counters specialist; awarded Customer Service Champion.
Organic Processing & Catering Mark (food for life) Inspector The Soil Association | 2014–2018
Conducted 700+ audits for organic and catering standards; influenced procurement and compliance across sectors including food processing, schools, nurseries, care homes, B&I, hospitals, care homes.
Quality Assurance & Ethical Trading Manager
Oxfam GB | 2013–2014 – fixed term contract
Managed product standards, developed procedures, and contributed to FairTrade initiatives. Direct reports. Managed ethical trade supplier audit framework (Sedex etc.). Liaison with Oxfam federation across multiple time zones to promote fair trade foods.
Food Law Labelling Advisor
Exova | 2007–2013
Advised on food law and labelling for major retailers including M&S (FIND system). Attending M&S head office over period of time to be available to technologists. Advisor to Delegation from Kingdom of Brunei.
Trading Standards Officer & Quality Manager
Buckinghamshire County Council | 2004–2007
Consumer protection, investigations, and ISO quality system management. Interviews under caution. Food inspections, safety inspections, involved in introducing lean systems thinking to the organisation. Representing trading standards at local FSA meetings.
Other Roles:
- Organic Food Processing Inspector, The Biodynamic Agricultural Association
- Associate Lecturer, (Gastronomy) Oxford Brookes University
- Senior Food Technologist & Acting Client Manager, MNGP Food Technology
- Quality Assurance Coordinator & Project Manager, Oxfam FairTrade Company – International auditing experience across Central and South America.
- Hospitality sector roles (pre-1997)
- MSc Food Policy, City University, London
- Diploma in Consumer Affairs & Trading Standards
- Lead Auditor Qualified
- Health and Safety (level 4)
- BSc (Hons) Food Studies, University of Wales Institute Cardiff
Education
Education
- MSc Food Policy, City University, London
- Diploma in Consumer Affairs & Trading Standards
- Lead Auditor Qualified
- Health and Safety (level 4)
- BSc (Hons) Food Studies, University of Wales Institute Cardiff
