Team Manager, Food Safety Inspection

You lead the team by setting the direction for their work, while paying close attention to the needs of the employees. You ensure that inspections are carried out efficiently and effectively, using a systematic, risk-based, planned, and project-oriented approach. You also oversee the implementation of inspections. When inspectors encounter issues, you are their point of contact. Your team is frequently out in the field conducting inspections, so you manage them remotely.

You coach and motivate your employees in their professional development and encourage them to take ownership of their work. You support and guide them so they can do their jobs effectively. In addition, you work to ensure the quality of work processes and drive their improvement. 

You know what's going on within your team. 

As a Team Manager, you are part of the department’s management team. You work closely with your fellow team managers. You share updates on developments within the areas of supervision and supervisory processes, and discuss employee development. You also maintain regular contact with other departments within the NVWA. You coordinate how projects are progressing, discuss practical experiences with work instructions, identify challenges inspectors face in the field, and contribute ideas on improving the quality of inspections. You also maintain contact with various stakeholders, such as the Legal Affairs department internally or other regulatory partners externally. 

You analyze political issues and propose solutions, carefully weighing the implications for all parties involved.

You are responsible for achieving the (team) results set forth in the NVWA annual plan and the departmental and team plans. 

In addition, you’ll play a key role in further developing and building up the department. You’ll contribute ideas regarding both the content (what we’ll do and deliver) and the culture (how we’ll work together). You will also involve your team in this process. Both the field and the department are in a state of constant flux. It is your responsibility to continuously assess where we stand, where we want to go, and which external developments are influencing our work. 

In everything you do, you also embody the NVWA’s core values: transparency, reliability, independence, and professionalism.

Here's what you get

• scale 12
• €4,691 - €6,907 (gross)
• Fixed-term employment contract with the possibility of conversion to a permanent contract
• 1 year
• 36 hours

Here's what else we offer

In addition to an onboarding program tailored to your role and extensive training and/or coaching opportunities to support your professional growth, we also offer the following employee benefits:

Individual Choice Budget

You will receive an Individual Choice Budget (ICB) equal to 16.50% of your gross annual salary. You can choose to have your ICB paid out, for example, on a monthly or annual basis, or you can use it to purchase additional leave hours. In addition, you can use your IKB to purchase a (electric) bicycle for commuting tax-free, set up your home office,pay off your student loan with tax benefits up to a maximum of €2,000 per year,or even make your home more sustainable. To encourage this, the national government offers an employer contribution on top of the IKB.

Vacation days

If you work 36 hours a week, you are entitled to 144 vacation hours and 64 IKB leave hours per year. Do you work more or fewer hours? In that case, these hours are calculated proportionally. And if you don’t need as much vacation time? Then you can also choose to have your 64 IKB leave hours paid out or added to your IKB saved leave.

Travel Expense Reimbursement

You will receive a commuter pass that allows you to travel by train in second class for your commute. Do you bike to work? If so, you will receive a travel allowance of €0.21 per kilometer cycled.

If you hold a field-based position, you are often eligible for an electric company car. You may also use this vehicle for personal purposes, subject to the additional tax liabilityand a personal contribution.

Leave Policies

The government offers various leave schemes for different situations, such as (supplementary) maternity leave (up to 5 weeks with 100% pay), parental leave (up to 9 weeks with 100% pay in the first year and an additional 75% for 4 weeks), care leave, and adoption/foster care leave.

Pension

The Dutch government offers an attractive pension plan through ABP, the General Civil Service Pension Fund. Read more about the ABP pension plan here.

Additional allowances and reimbursements

For some positions at the NVWA, it is necessary to work outside regular office hours or to be on call. However, these requirements are offset by additional allowances or compensation. For example, we offer an on-call and standby duty allowance and an irregular shift allowance.

Here is what we are asking for

You have an inspiring and coaching leadership style and are a true team player. You are constantly working to implement improvements. You are decisive and able to make difficult decisions in a well-considered manner, even under pressure. In doing so, you know how to build support for your vision and stance. 

You are capable of leading remotely and have experience with a coaching leadership style when managing professionals. You are confident and focused on results, as well as on working effectively and efficiently. You are able to empathize with your employees’ situations and are open to giving and receiving feedback. You are a manager who addresses behavior and is skilled at having constructive conversations. In addition to leading your own team, you are a proactive team player on the department’s management team and contribute ideas. Finally, you are able to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization. 

• You have an academic level of work and thinking, based on your education and/or work experience.

• Experience managing independent professionals remotely, including teams with a span of control of 15–20 professionals.

• An interest in process improvements and innovations.

• You have a keen understanding of the political landscape related to the NVWA’s field of work.

• You understand different interests and take them into account in decision-making.

• You can handle resistance and know how to inspire people.

• You have a Class B driver's license.

Skills 

• Organizational sensitivity

• Team-oriented leadership

• Motivating and developing employees

• Reflect

Has reading this job posting made you so excited that you’d like to apply? If so, please send us your resume and cover letter, and be sure to answer the following questions in your cover letter: 

1. What appeals to you about this management position?

2. Why choose the NVWA?

3. Describe a recent success in which you were able to build a close-knit team.

4. What challenges have you faced recently in balancing your time and attention between your roles as a team leader and a member of the management team? How did you resolve those challenges, and what insights do you bring to this situation?

The NVWA is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of society and places great importance on an inclusive hiring policy. We therefore encourage everyone to apply, regardless of cultural background, age, gender identity, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.

This is where you'll be working

More about the Inspectorate

The Consumer Department is part of the Inspection Division within the Enforcement Directorate. Inspectors within the Consumer Unit conduct (unannounced) inspections of food safety in, among others, hospitality and retail businesses, artisanal businesses, and institutions such as hospitals, and carry out alcohol, tobacco, and smoking inspections. Oversight of these areas receives significant public and political attention. In cases of non-compliance, measures are taken in accordance with the NVWA Intervention Policy. For repeat offenders and/or in cases of immediate danger to public health, a stricter supervision policy applies, which may lead to the closure of businesses. Due to business hours, work is conducted at irregular times.

Each team has its own team leader, who reports directly to the Consumer Division Manager. The Division Manager and the ten team leaders (8 teams in Hospitality and 2 teams in Alcohol & Tobacco) together form the Management Team.

The location is still to be determined, but it will definitely be in the Randstad.

About the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA)

In the Netherlands, we take it for granted that the products we use and everything we eat are safe. We expect animals to be treated well, even if they are destined for slaughter. We want to be able to consume fruits and vegetables without a second thought, and other products are “naturally” fine too. We want to be able to walk in nature without worry and buy toys for our children without suspicion. As consumers, we simply rely on that; for us, it goes without saying.

But we sometimes forget that companies work hard every day to maintain those high standards. That it isn’t always easy for business owners to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. We also forget that the government oversees this. Safety sounds so simple, but it isn’t.

What does the NVWA do?

The staff of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) work hard every day to maintain that standard. Through dialogue with businesses in the hospitality sector, slaughterhouses, plant cultivation, and other producers, the NVWA monitors food and product safety, plant health, and the welfare of animals, nature, and the environment. We do so in accordance with national and international laws and regulations. We operate on a basis of trust, but we take firm action against businesses that do not adhere strictly to the rules. In the interest of society.

We closely monitor where the greatest risks lie and where oversight is most urgently needed, so that we can inform consumers and others in a timely manner. The NVWA also plays a key role in export inspections and in the import of products into Europe.

What does the NVWA stand for?

The NVWA is responsible for overseeing animal welfare, animal health, food safety, product safety, tobacco and alcohol prevention, plant health, and nature and the environment.

The Dutch government strives to be an employer that every employee—regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, or disability—wants to work for. Addressing social issues in diverse teams makes us more effective and innovative. That makes the work meaningful and challenging.

The NVWA is an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature (LVVN) and the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport.

Details

• Applications will be considered in accordance with applicable agreements, including the Central Government Collective Labor Agreement and the NVP Application Code.
• A Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) is required to work at the NVWA.
• If the position involves a fixed-term employment contract with the prospect of becoming permanent, the permanent contract is initially preceded by a one-year contract. Provided the employee proves to be suitable, the contract is generally converted into a permanent contract of indefinite duration after one year.
• Is this a job opening for a fixed-term contract with the possibility of becoming permanent, but do you already have a permanent position as a civil servant? If so, you will retain your permanent position.
• If the position is initially a fixed-term role, it will not be reopened if the role can be made permanent within the organization and the (initially) temporary position was filled by an internal employee with a permanent contract.
• Online screening—for example, through search engines or social media—can be part of the selection process.
• A competency test and/or an assessment may be part of the selection process.
• A comprehensive A or B screening by the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) may be required for certain positions at the NVWA, including those in the Intelligence and Investigation Service (IOD).
• Recruitment agencies are asked to refrain from contacting us regarding this job opening.
• We will review your application and respond no later than 10 business daysafter the application deadline.
• Are you applying for this position as a priority candidate through VWNW or due to a disability? (Priority Candidate) In that case, in addition to your resume and cover letter, you will also need a referral letter and a nomination letter. The nomination letter is prepared by the VWNW manager. You can add the additional documents, such as the designation letter and nomination letter, by first submitting your application (without the designation letter and nomination letter), and then clicking on the link in the confirmation email. After logging in, you can then add the designation letter and the nomination letter under “Additional documents.”

About the Manager job category

The Central Government Performance Framework helps employees and managers establish performance and development goals during performance reviews and provides insight into career opportunities within the federal government.

For more information, visit the Central Government Job Classification System