Vijay Venugopal
Dubai,UAE
Summary
Detail-oriented professional specialising in internal and external auditing, supplier management, and food safety management. Proven experience in hotel pre-openings and regulatory compliance. Skilled in conducting investigations, delivering training, and developing SOPs and manuals. Aiming to apply expertise in environments prioritising continuous improvement.
Overview
1
1
Certification
6
6
years of post-secondary education
24
24
years of professional experience
Work history
HSE Manager
Mileo The Palm
Dubai
2025.01 - Current
- Conducted internal food safety audits across hotel operations to verify compliance with HACCP and Dubai Municipality regulations.
- Conducted supplier and vendor audits on hygiene practices, storage conditions, transportation controls, and traceability, enhancing overall food safety standards.
- Guided kitchen and F & B team in implementing food safety SOPs and checklists, ensuring compliance and operational consistency.
- Delivered internal food safety training and awareness programmes for operational staff to strengthen compliance and safe food handling practices.
- Managed audit findings and corrective actions, facilitating follow-up verifications to support successful external audits and drive continuous improvement.
- Led sustainability initiatives, including waste reduction, resource conservation and compliance as per DTCM 27 requirements.
Food Safety Consultant and Trainer
Diversey Consulting
Dubai
2024.02 - 2024.09
- Provided expert consultation and guidance on food safety management systems, HACCP principles, and risk assessment strategies, fostering a culture of food safety across client organisations.
- Conducted comprehensive food safety audits for clients, assessing compliance with local, national, and international regulations. Analyzed findings and developed reports detailing areas of non-compliance with recommended corrective actions to enhance client compliance.
- Collaborate with clients to develop and implement customized food safety policies, procedures, and training programs tailored to their specific needs and requirements.
- Delivered engaging food safety training sessions to employees at all levels, ensuring understanding and implementation of food safety practices throughout the organisation.
Cluster Hygiene and Safety Manager
Grand Millennium Business Bay and Grand Millennium Hotel, Barsha Heights
Dubai
2021.04 - 2024.01
- Led comprehensive internal and external food safety inspections and audits across kitchens and food service areas identifying improvement opportunities and ensuring effective corrective action implementation.
- Advised and assisted management on HSE and food safety matters, ensuring effective implementation of HSE, FSMS, and HACCP management systems, enhancing compliance and operational safety.
- Cultivated a proactive food safety culture among food handlers and management, resulting in associates consistently prioritising food safety in their daily practices.
- Led initiatives to support hotel in achieving 19 DTCM sustainability requirements, fostering a commitment to environmental responsibility within the team.
Complex Asst. HSE Manager
Caesars Palace and Caesars Resorts at Caesars Bluewaters
Dubai, UAE
2018.10 - 2020.12
- Developed and updated SOPs and checklists for food safety and health & safety, ensuring compliance with HACCP and ISO 45001 standards.
- Maintained safety standards in work areas and ensured adherence to hygiene and health & safety standards.
- Coordinated internal and external audits according to the audit schedule, tracking and ensuring timely closure of remedial actions.
- Delivered Level 3 PIC, food hygiene, risk assessment, and health and safety training, enhancing team knowledge on sustainability practices.
Hygiene Manager and Stewarding In-Charge
Raffles Dubai
Dubai, UAE
2009.10 - 2018.09
- Achieved food safety and hygiene objectives while ensuring compliance with legal standards, enhancing overall guest safety.
- Developed corporate hygiene standards and conducted regular internal food safety audits.
- Managed customer complaints regarding food safety, effectively engaging with guests and vendors to resolve issues promptly.
- Coordinated environmental projects to implement Accor group's Planet 21 standards, promoting sustainability initiatives within operations. of Raffles Dubai and implemented Planet 21 standards of Accor group.
HACCP/ISO Controller
Gulf Food Industries - California Garden
Dubai, UAE
2008.06 - 2009.09
- Managed documentation and implementation of ISO 22000, OHSAS 18001, ISO 14000, ISO 9001, and HACCP systems to ensure compliance and operational excellence.
- Coordinated third-party audit teams, facilitating audits to ensure adherence to standards and effective resolution of findings.
- Conducted internal audits to assess compliance of IMS systems with international standards, identifying areas for improvement.
- Conducted risk assessments for the various Management systems.
Quality Controller
Capricorn Bakery, Thomsun Group
Dubai
2006.05 - 2008.05
- Implemented prerequisite programs (GMP, SSOP, SOP) and HACCP.
- Monitored and verified hygiene and safety systems, maintaining high quality assurance levels.
- Developed and implemented food safety and hygiene standards, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Coordinated team preparations for customer audits, facilitating successful assessments across multiple locations.
Shift Manager - Production & Quality
Alpha Group, Tanzania
Darussalam
2003.06 - 2006.01
- Managed production workflow to optimise quality and meet operational targets.
- Established and maintained quality standards for raw materials and finished goods to ensure compliance.
- Executed HACCP protocols and meticulously documented compliance records.
- Conducted regular online quality assessments to verify product reliability and adherence to specifications.
Management Trainee
Amalgam Enterprises, India
Kochi, Kerala
2002.11 - 2003.05
- Prepared HACCP manual and implemented quality assurance measures, ensuring thorough record keeping and compliance.
- Monitored and established standards for raw materials, pre-processed products, and finished products to ensure quality compliance.
- Coordinated daily activities with production team and management to optimise workflow and address operational challenges.
- Conducted microbiological assessments of finished products.
Education
Masters of Science - Resource Management
CIFE, Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Mumbai, India 2000.08 - 2002.08
Bachelor of Science - Fisheries Science
Kerala Agricultural University
Kochi, India 1995.12 - 2000.05
Skills
- Regulatory Compliance
- Internal and External Auditing
- Supplier audits
- Food Safety Management
- Hazard identification
- Risk Assessment
- Quality Assurance
- SOP development
- Investigation and Reporting
- Trainings
- Hotel Pre-Opening Experience
Certification
- CQI-IRCA PR357 ISO 45001:2018 OHSMS Lead Auditor Training (1911) completed in February 2024 from Bureau Veritas.
- IRCA approved ISO 22000 Lead Auditor course from TUV NORD in December, 2014.
- EMS ISO 14001:2015 Lead Auditor Training [CQI-IRCA PR315 17912], Bureau Veritas in November, 2023.
- International General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety with Distinction from NEBOSH, UK.
- Level 4 Award in Food Safety Management with Merit from CIEH, UK.
- Integrated Management Systems Workshop organised by Dubai Municipality.
- Completion Certificate from Dubai Way for Sustainable Tourism course with 4 Gold & 4 Master medals
- Level 3 Award in Effective Auditing & Inspection Skills with Merit from HABC, UAE.
- HACCP In Practice from CIEH, U.K.
- Level 3 Award in Supervising Food Safety in Catering with Merit from HABC, UAE
Affiliations
- Highfield Food Safety Forum, Member
LANGUAGES
English
Hindi
Malayalam
Swahili
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
- “A Gold” certificate in Grand Millennium Business Bay, Dubai Municipality; 2021 and 2022.
- “A Gold” certificate in Caesars Bluewaters, Dubai Municipality; 2019 and 2020.
- “A Green” certificate in Raffles Dubai, Dubai Municipality; 2016 to 2018.
- Achieved HACCP certification for Caesars Bluewaters within 9 months of opening with Bureau Veritas; 2019,
- International Training Centre of Excellence, Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance; 2016.
- Leader of the Quarter Q1, Raffles Dubai 2013, Leader of the Quarter Q3 [Nomination], Raffles Dubai; 2016,
- Junior Research Fellowship, Indian Council of Agricultural Research; 2000.
- Best Student Teacher, K. V. S. P. Marg; 1992
PUBLICATIONS
- Food Safety: You Ask, We Answer, Clean Middle East Magazine February 2010 Contributed in Food Safety: You ask, we answer in Clean Middle East Magazine Vol.2,Issue 8 in February 2010, pp.26-28.
- Mangrove Mapping Around Mumbai, Indian Journal of Marine Sciences September 2005 Research paper titled “Mangrove Mapping around Mumbai” in Indian Journal of Marine Sciences Vol. 34(3), September 2005, pp. 310-315.
- Food Security in India – Aquaculture an option, National Workshop on Fisheries Economics Research and Education in India 2001 Participated and presented paper entitled ‘Food Security in India – Aquaculture an option’ in National Workshop on Fisheries Economics Research and Education in India.
INTERESTS
Traveling, Badminton, Movies, Reading & Literature, Quizzing
REFERENCES
Can be provided upon request,
Timeline
HSE Manager
Mileo The Palm
2025.01 - Current
Food Safety Consultant and Trainer
Diversey Consulting
2024.02 - 2024.09
Cluster Hygiene and Safety Manager
Grand Millennium Business Bay and Grand Millennium Hotel, Barsha Heights
2021.04 - 2024.01
Complex Asst. HSE Manager
Caesars Palace and Caesars Resorts at Caesars Bluewaters
2018.10 - 2020.12
Hygiene Manager and Stewarding In-Charge
Raffles Dubai
2009.10 - 2018.09
HACCP/ISO Controller
Gulf Food Industries - California Garden
2008.06 - 2009.09
Quality Controller
Capricorn Bakery, Thomsun Group
2006.05 - 2008.05
Shift Manager - Production & Quality
Alpha Group, Tanzania
2003.06 - 2006.01
Management Trainee
Amalgam Enterprises, India
2002.11 - 2003.05
Masters of Science - Resource Management
CIFE, Indian Council of Agricultural Research
2000.08 - 2002.08
Bachelor of Science - Fisheries Science
Kerala Agricultural University
1995.12 - 2000.05