Quality & Food Safety Manager

The Quality and Food Safety Manager, Europe will pave the future of Taco Bell’s Quality Assurance strategy across our Europe (EU) region. This person is responsible for ensuring that all Taco Bell restaurants, suppliers, and products across the EU region consistently meet the brand’s standards of food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. The role partners closely with our Franchise Partners and cross functions including Food Innovation, Supply Chain, Operations, and external suppliers to safeguard the brand, deliver on customer expectations, and support business growth in diverse EU markets.

The Day-to-Day: 

• Develop and execute the EU FSQA strategy aligned with Yum! Brands’ global vision to ensure consistent food quality and safety.

• Lead EU-wide food safety and quality programs, ensuring compliance with global standards and local regulatory requirements.

• Oversee risk assessments, audits, and inspections of suppliers, distributors, and restaurants to verify compliance.

• Influence franchise leadership and FSQA teams through governance, capability building, and strong cross-functional partnerships.

• Oversee management of supplier quality performance, including qualification of new suppliers/facilities and corrective action for deviations.

• Embed food safety and quality into product innovation and commercialization, partnering with R&D and Supply Chain.

• Execute restaurant food safety compliance standards, collaborating with Operations and Training teams to improve in-store performance.

• Lead food safety crisis and incident management, including investigations, root cause analysis, and managing regulatory relationships

Is this you? 

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field.

• 10+ years of experience in Quality Assurance or Food Safety, preferably in QSR, FMCG, or food manufacturing industries.

• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMP, GFSI standards, and regional regulatory requirements.

• Demonstrated experience managing supplier and/or restaurant operations quality and conducting audits.

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders in a matrix environment.

• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multicultural, and highly dynamic regional environment.

Work-Hard, Play-Hard: 

• Hybrid working - 2 days required in our office at Woking

• Company and performance-related bonus

• Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution

• Private healthcare with the option to increase to include family cover

• Annual holiday allowance starts at 25 days with the option to buy or sell up to 5 extra days per year. After 5 years’ service, annual holiday allowance increases to 30 days

• Competitive parental leave and flexible return to work options

• Wellbeing Reimbursement - A fund to claim back costs throughout the year that support your well-being such as vitamins subscriptions, language lessons, gym membership

• Flexible and Voluntary benefits including Dental Insurance, Health Screening and Gym Discounts