At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategy for food safety, quality assurance, and sustainable agriculture across the supply chain.
- Company: Join McDonald's UK & Ireland, a leader in the food industry committed to quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on continuous improvement and collaboration with global teams.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food safety and sustainability while protecting brand trust and reputation.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in food safety and quality assurance; degree in Food Science preferred.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Department Overview
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) employer: McDonald's Corporation
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 development and a culture of collaboration, team members are empowered to lead initiatives that drive meaningful change from farm to restaurant. The company's focus on innovation and responsible sourcing not only enhances brand trust but also provides employees with unique opportunities to contribute to impactful projects within a globally recognised brand.
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)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. We want to see how your experience aligns with their mission, especially in areas like food safety and sustainability. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to be able to clearly articulate your experience and how it relates to the role. We suggest doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to get comfortable with your delivery.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Nutrition and Sustainability (Interim 12 months fix term)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Quality Assurance. Highlight your experience in food safety, quality assurance, and any leadership roles you've held. 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 or managed crises in the past. We love a good story that showcases your skills!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a senior manager, we need to see your leadership style. Talk about how you've built high-performing teams and navigated complex challenges. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and lead with confidence, so let that shine through in your application!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at McDonald's Corporation
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in food safety, quality assurance, and sustainable agriculture. Familiarise yourself with McDonald's UK&I strategy and how it aligns with global standards. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also understand the bigger picture.
✨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 is crucial for a senior role like this one.
✨Understand the Supply Chain
Get a good grasp of the entire supply chain from farm to fork. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure product quality and safety across all stages. This knowledge will demonstrate your capability to manage the complexities of the role effectively.
✨Engage with Sustainability
Be prepared to talk about your vision for sustainable agriculture and responsible sourcing. Share any innovative ideas you've implemented in previous roles that align with sustainability goals. This will resonate well with the company's commitment to environmental performance and brand trust.
