Bachelor's degree in food science, animal science, agriculture science, microbiology, or a related field
8+ years of experience in quality assurance, food safety, or regulatory compliance in multi-unit foodservice or retail
Strong knowledge of food safety regulations including FDA Food Code, HACCP, FSMA, and USDA standards
Proven track record in leading food safety and quality assurance programs across multiple locations
Preferred advanced certifications like CP-FS, REHS, RS, or PCQI
Responsibilities
Develop and enhance food safety and quality assurance programs across multi-state operations
Lead and mentor a team of quality assurance and food safety professionals
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with quality standards and regulations
Establish KPIs to monitor supplier quality assurance and food safety effectiveness
Conduct proactive restaurant visits to identify improvement areas and ensure standards adherence
Update SOPs to reflect best practices and regulatory changes
Stay informed on industry trends and regulatory changes to improve food safety programs
Serve as the subject matter expert on quality assurance and food safety
Benefits
Comprehensive health benefits
401(k) plan with company match
Paid time off and holidays
Employee discounts
Opportunities for professional development and training
Full Job Description
Job Summary
The Senior Director of Quality Assurance & Food Safety will play a critical role in ensuring the highest standards of food safety and product quality at First Watch. This position will lead a team responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive quality assurance and food safety management system programs. This role requires a deep understanding of food safety regulations, industry best practices, and the ability to provide oversight, direction, and leadership to protect the brand.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The essential functions in this job description are not all-inclusive of this position's duties and responsibilities. Reliable and dependable attendance is required.
Develop, implement, and continuously enhance enterprise-wide food safety and quality assurance programs across the company's multi-state operations
Lead and manage a team of quality assurance and food safety professionals, providing guidance, coaching, and mentoring to ensure continuous improvement in performance and results
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Operations, Marketing, Training, Human Resources, Construction, Facility Management, Legal, Supply Chain, and Culinary, to ensure compliance with all relevant quality standards, regulations, and certifications
Establish and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor and report on the effectiveness of supplier quality assurance and food safety programs
Conduct periodic proactive visits of restaurants to identify areas for improvement to achieve active managerial control and ensure adherence to established standards
Develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to food safety and quality assurance to reflect industry best practices and regulatory changes
Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes that could impact the business to proactively adapt and improve the supplier quality assurance and food safety programs
Serve as the primary quality assurance and food safety subject matter expert, maintaining effective relationships with regulatory agencies, industry associations, and external partners
Investigate and respond to customer complaints related to food safety and quality in a timely manner, implementing corrective actions as necessary
Partner with the Chief Legal Officer and Risk Management team to identify, assess, and mitigate food safety, product quality, regulatory, and operational risks that could impact the business
Oversee programs such as nutrition and allergens, employee wellness, third-party audits, sanitation, pest control and health department inspection results
Delivers results through sustainable processes and fosters a proactive approach to continuous improvement
Promotes a strong food safety culture by liaising with leadership to maintain commitment and align with company strategic objectives
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in food science, animal science, agriculture science, microbiology, or a related field
8 + Years' of progressive experience in quality assurance, food safety, regulatory compliance, or related disciplines within a multi-unit foodservice, restaurant, manufacturing, or retail environment
Strong knowledge of local, state, and federal food safety regulations, including FDA Food Code, HACCP, FSMA, USDA, and other industry standards
Demonstrated success leading food safety and quality assurance programs across multi-location operations
Advanced certification such as Certified Professional Food Safety (CP-FS), Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS), Registered Sanitarian (RS) or Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) is preferred
