At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategy for food safety, quality assurance, and sustainable agriculture across the UK&I.
- Company: Join McDonald's, a global leader in fast food with a commitment to quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative environment focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food safety and sustainability while leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Director-level experience in food safety and quality assurance required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
The Head of Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Nutrition & Sustainable Agriculture (QFSN & SA) is accountable for setting and delivering the end to end UK&I strategy for product quality, food safety, legality, nutritional compliance and sustainable agriculture, from farm through to restaurant. The role holds ultimate accountability for ensuring that all products supplied to McDonald's UK & Ireland meet the highest standards of safety, quality, legality and nutritional compliance, protecting customers, franchisees, and the brand. It owns assurance frameworks across the entire supply chain and restaurant estate, ensuring robust governance, proactive risk management and consistent execution.
In addition, the role provides strategic leadership for sustainable agriculture and responsible sourcing, ensuring alignment with global sustainability priorities and the UK&I Plan for Change commitments. It drives continuous improvement in animal health and welfare, environmental performance and farming practices, while maintaining strong alignment with food safety, quality and product integrity requirements.
Operating as a senior functional leader within the UK&I Supply Chain Leadership Team, the role ensures that QFSN and Sustainable Agriculture collectively act as a source of competitive advantage, enabling safe, compliant and sustainable growth, strengthening brand trust and supporting innovation. The role leads a multi-disciplinary function and works in close partnership with global teams, franchisees, suppliers, farmers, regulators and NGOs to embed a strong food safety and quality culture, effective governance and continuous improvement from farm to fork to restaurant.
Team
- A senior manager within the UK&I Supply Chain Leadership Team, partnering with peers across sourcing, logistics, strategy and sustainability.
- Leads the Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Nutrition & Sustainable Agriculture function, responsible for farm, supplier and restaurant assurance.
- Works in close collaboration with Global SC counterparts and teams to ensure alignment and consistency.
Duties
- Set and deliver the UK&I strategy for Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Product Legality, Nutrition and Sustainable Agriculture, aligned to global standards, Plan for Change commitments and local legislation.
- Lead the QFSN & Sustainable Agriculture function as a cohesive, enterprise level department, setting clear direction, priorities, governance and standards.
- Hold ultimate accountability for product quality, food safety, legality and nutritional compliance across the supply chain and restaurant estate.
- Provide senior leadership during incidents, crises, product withdrawals and recalls, representing the business credibly and ensuring timely, proportionate and well governed decisions.
- Define and govern assurance frameworks across farms, suppliers and restaurants, embedding a strong culture of food safety, quality and sustainability across the supply chain.
- Lead delivery of sustainable agriculture and responsible sourcing priorities, including animal health and welfare, environmental performance and farming practices, ensuring alignment with food safety and quality objectives.
- Influence Executive level decision making and act as the senior UK&I representative externally, engaging with regulators, industry bodies, NGOs, franchisees and Global teams to protect brand trust and reputation.
- Build long term functional capability by leading, developing and succession planning a high performing, multi-disciplinary leadership team, role modelling calm, inclusive and decisive leadership.
- Participate in the on call rota for the leadership team to ensure continuity of operations during weekends and holidays.
Qualifications
- Proven director level senior leadership experience in food safety, quality assurance or technical roles within complex, high risk food environments.
- Demonstrated ability to set strategy and lead large, multi-disciplinary teams through ambiguity and change.
- Strong experience of incident leadership, risk management and regulatory engagement.
- Ability to influence at Executive level and across a broad stakeholder landscape.
- Experience embedding governance, data led decision making and continuous improvement at scale.
- Degree in Food Science or equivalent experience; advanced HACCP and food safety credentials expected.
Head of Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Nutrition and Sustainability (Interim 12 months fix term) in London employer: Job Search Place Limited
McDonald's UK & Ireland is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises quality, safety, and sustainability in the food industry. With a strong commitment to employee growth, the company fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, providing opportunities for professional development and leadership within a multi-disciplinary team. Located at the heart of the UK's vibrant food sector, employees benefit from engaging with global teams and industry leaders, making a meaningful impact on food safety and sustainable practices.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Nutrition and Sustainability (Interim 12 months fix term) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their approach to food safety and sustainability, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you're not just a fit for the role, but for the company culture too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your achievements and how they relate to the role of Head of Quality Assurance. Use specific examples that highlight your leadership in food safety and quality assurance to make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team at McDonald's UK & Ireland.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Nutrition and Sustainability (Interim 12 months fix term) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Quality Assurance role. Highlight your experience in food safety, quality assurance, and leadership in complex environments. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at StudySmarter!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about food safety and sustainability. Share specific examples of how you've led teams through challenges, as this will resonate with us at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics and outcomes to demonstrate how you’ve made a difference in previous roles. This helps us understand the impact you could have at StudySmarter.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the StudySmarter team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in food safety, quality assurance, and sustainable agriculture. Brush up on the latest regulations and standards relevant to the role. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re serious about the position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams through challenges, especially in high-risk environments. Highlight your experience in incident management and how you’ve influenced decision-making at an executive level. This will demonstrate your capability to lead the QFSN & Sustainable Agriculture function effectively.
✨Understand the Company’s Values
Familiarise yourself with McDonald's UK & Ireland's sustainability commitments and their Plan for Change. Be ready to discuss how your vision aligns with their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you’re genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the industry. Inquire about their current challenges in food safety or how they measure success in sustainable agriculture. This will not only show your interest but also your strategic thinking.
