Food Safety Manager in Woking

Ensures our Food Safety strategy is best-in-class, manages compliance, influences stakeholders, and supports restaurant teams and guests safety across UK & Ireland.

What you’ll do

• Own the Food Safety strategy for the business, reviewing legislation and best-practice guidance, and ensuring all policies and processes align.
• Lead the implementation of HACCP and Food Safety Management Systems, maintaining high standards across all restaurants.
• Own the Pest Management process and contract management of Equity Pest Control.
• Collaborate with Regional Safety Managers on all Food Safety matters and agenda items.
• Drive Food Safety training for all staff, ensuring appropriate content for each role.
• Support the Food Safety element of the third-party audit programme (ROCC), review results and trends, and maintain policies, processes and risk assessments.
• Partner with Operations and QA teams on restaurant routines (temperature checks, cleaning schedules, pest walks), new product or packaging launches, product safety validations, and innovation of new equipment or processes.
• Support restaurants that fall below expected standards: lead the process with Enforcement Liaison partners, coordinate with Primary Authority Partners, provide internal reporting and data insights, and handle enforcement or customer contacts.
• Manage stakeholder relationships with franchise partners and Equity Team, and support the UKI on Food Safety forums across Europe and internationally.

What we’d love from you

• Passionate, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Food Safety and driving a food safety culture.
• Solution-driven, passionate about recovery and resolution as well as risk identification.
• Strong ability to influence senior leaders both internally and externally.
• Consistently high written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise and manage time to deliver multiple projects within deadlines.
• Analytical thinker capable of root-cause analysis and continuous improvement.
• Able to develop and sustain relationships.
• Excellent teamwork and self-direction.
• Motivated to continuously learn and develop.
• Outstanding action-driving ability and detail orientation.

Experience

• Related Degree (or equivalent) in Food Science, Technology, Environmental Health, etc. – essential.
• Relevant experience in Food Safety Management (HACCP, policy writing, operational implementation).
• Experience in food service, hospitality or food retail – huge benefit.
• Experience managing contractors such as Pest Control and Audit – beneficial.
• Experience managing investigations into food safety incidents and accidents.
• Proven track record of managing internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment.

Buckets of Benefits

• Flexible, hybrid working – our support centre in Woking, Surrey, with travel across UK & Ireland required.
• Generous pension – up to 11% company contribution.
• ‘Fri-Yay’ time – finish at 1pm every Friday, all year round.
• Live Well Days – 5 days per year to disconnect, plus 25 days annual leave and bank holidays.
• Option to buy or sell up to 5 extra days of core annual leave allowance each year.
• After 5 years’ service, holiday allowance increases to 30 days.
• Bonus – reward for company and individual goal achievement.
• Wellness – wellbeing initiatives and programmes, including Telus Health and 1:1 mental health coaching.
• Private healthcare – Digital GP with optional family cover.
• Flexible and voluntary benefits: dental insurance, health screening, gym discounts.
• Insurances – life and income protection for all colleagues.
• Study Support – potential for job-related qualifications.
• Parental Leave – enhanced paid leave and flexible return options.
• Colleague Discount – 25% discount on KFC products.
• Car provision based on need (minimum 10,000 business miles per year).

Our Commitment to You

Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our teams. We value, support, and celebrate the things that make Team KFC authentic and original. All candidates – regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, ability, religion, or sexual orientation – are welcome. We particularly encourage applications from underrepresented groups in the industry, such as women, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We can provide additional support with your application if you have a disability or any other requirements.

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