At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategy for food safety, quality assurance, and sustainable agriculture at McDonald's.
- Company: Join McDonald's, a leading global brand with over 1500 restaurants in the UK and Ireland.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative team driving innovation and brand trust.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food safety and sustainability in a dynamic, high-impact role.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in food safety and quality assurance; degree in Food Science preferred.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About Us
McDonald's has run its business in the UK since 1974 and currently operates over 1500 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, serving almost four million customers each day. McDonald's is one of the UK’s largest private sector employers, employing over 170,000 people.
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. This includes ownership of 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 UK&I Plan for Change commitments. This includes driving 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.
What Team will I be a part of?
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‑modeling calm, inclusive and decisive leadership.
On‑call rota
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 United Kingdom
McDonald's is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises quality, safety, and sustainability in the food industry. With over 170,000 employees across the UK and Ireland, we foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Our commitment to responsible sourcing and sustainable practices not only enhances our brand reputation but also empowers our team members to make a meaningful impact in their roles.
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)
✨Join Food Science Communities
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Start a blog or social media channel showcasing innovative food science projects or trends. This not only showcases your expertise but also raises your visibility in the field. When you apply for a role at companies like McDonald's United Kingdom, they’ll see you’re proactive and truly passionate about food technology.
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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 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at McDonald's United Kingdom, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at McDonald's United Kingdom.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to McDonald's United Kingdom. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at McDonald's United Kingdom. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at McDonald's United Kingdom
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to McDonald's United Kingdom’s mission.
