The Food Safety Manager role is responsible for developing and implementing the UK & Ireland Food Safety strategy. The role ensures compliance with legislation, best practice industry guidance, and KFC’s HACCP and Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS). It leads cross‑functional food safety initiatives, collaborates with regional managers, and manages relationships with external regulators, contractors, and franchise partners.
What you'll do
* Own and continuously improve the Food Safety strategy for the business.
* Review and update the FSMS and HACCP documents as required.
* Lead the HACCP team and conduct regular reviews of operational systems and processes.
* Own and manage the Pest Management process, including contract oversight of the Equity Pest Control programme.
* Collaborate with Regional Safety Managers on food safety issues and agendas.
* Lead food safety training content for all roles, ensuring engagement and relevance, and support the in‑house training team with compliance monitoring.
* Support the food safety component of our third‑party audit programme (ROCC) and conduct periodic reviews of results, trends, and data insights.
* Maintain policies, processes and risk assessments within our internal systems.
* Partner with Operations and QA teams on restaurant routines, new product launches, process trials, and equipment upgrades.
* Manage incidents with external enforcement partners to bring restaurants back to 4 or 5 hygiene ratings.
* Select and coordinate with Primary Authority partners for any food safety requests and referrals.
* Report internally on food safety performance and data insights and support enforcement or customer communications.
* Engage with franchise partners and the Equity Team on food safety matters.
* Represent the UK & Ireland team at European and international food safety forums.
What we’d love from you
* Passionate about food safety and driving a safety culture.
* Solution‑driven, especially for recovery, resolution and risk identification.
* Strong influence skills to engage senior leaders internally and externally.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Ability to prioritise and manage multiple projects with deadlines.
* Analytical thinker capable of root‑cause analysis and continuous improvement.
* Skill in developing and sustaining relationships.
* Team player with the ability to work independently.
* Motivated to learn and develop professionally.
* Detail oriented with a drive to achieve outcomes.
Experience
* Related degree or equivalent qualification (e.g., Food Science, Technology, Environmental Health).
* Relevant experience in food safety management, including HACCP, policy writing and operational implementation.
* Experience in the food service, hospitality or food retail sector is desirable.
* Experience managing contractors (e.g., pest control, audit).
* Experience investigating food safety incidents and accidents.
* Proven track record of managing internal and external stakeholders.
* Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment.
Buckets of Benefits
* Generous pension contribution up to 11%.
* ‘Fri‑Yay’ time – finish at 1 pm every Friday, all year round.
* Live Well Days – 5 days per year to disconnect (plus 25 days annual leave and bank holidays); ability to buy or sell up to 5 extra days.
* Bonus scheme tied to company and individual goal attainment.
* Wellness initiatives (Telus Health, 1:1 mental health coaching).
* Private healthcare with Digital GP and optional family cover.
* Flexible and voluntary benefits: dental insurance, health screening, gym discounts.
* Life and income protection insurance.
* Study support for job‑related qualifications.
* Parental leave – enhanced paid leave and flexible return options.
* Colleague discount of 25% on KFC products.
* A car may be provided for routes exceeding 10,000 business miles per year.
Our Commitment to You
We value, support and celebrate the diversity of our teams. All candidates are considered regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, ability, religion, or sexual orientation. We welcome applications from under‑represented groups such as women, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and the LGBTQ+ community. If you need any additional support with your application or have a disability or condition, please let us know.
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