Manager of Food Safety & Quality Assurance

Culver Franchising System is looking for a Manager of Food Safety & Quality Assurance who will support the implementation and successful advancement of effective food safety and quality assurance strategies by partnering with suppliers, distributors, and internal cross functional teams, including franchisees, to advance the Culver’s brand. The successful candidate will drive food safety and quality assurance in high-risk categories such as fresh produce, seafood, prepared foods, proteins, and dairy utilizing their specialized education and experience.

Essential Functions:

Foster and Reinforce Food Safety Standards

• Support the Sr. Manager of Food Safety & Quality Assurance in establishing food-safety and quality standards and associated monitoring systems, with hyper focus on high risk categories such as fresh produce, seafood, prepared foods, proteins, and dairy.
• Collect and manage Food Safety Quality Assurance (FSQA) documentation for assigned categories, including product specifications, risk assessments, third-party audit reports, allergen and labeling documentation, and vendor food safety and QA program materials
• Perform routine and "for cause" on-site assessments of suppliers and distribution partners within assigned categories, as directed by the Sr. Manager of FSQA. Document findings and corrective actions in detailed audit reports
• Support product removals and recalls for assigned categories, including communication with distribution center partners
• Investigate and resolve food safety and quality issues with suppliers, distributors, and restaurants related to assigned products, including customer complaints
• Track vendor performance and manage vendor matrix/scorecarding programs for assigned categories
• Analyze restaurant food safety and quality incident data to identify trends and share with suppliers

Leverage data from the Food Safety Incident Management tool to inform the Category Team of quality issues

• Ensure Compliance with the Culver's Standards
• Conduct supplier QA facility visits to monitor and audit food safety and quality issues; be diligent and aware of escalating safety concerns as appropriate
• Effectively and efficiently utilize reputable and qualified third-party auditing support as appropriate and effectively manage these relationships
• Collaborate with Supply Chain team members to ensure Culver’s brand standard compliance while taking decisive ownership to quickly escalate or resolve issues

Conduct Sensory Evaluation of Core and New Products

• Work with the Menu Development Team by collaborating and challenging where needed to ensure expected supplier quality programs are in place; sharing FSQA considerations throughout the innovation, renovation, or simplification of food/packaging/equipment development process
• Participate in creating and qualifying contingency supply plans
• Perform quality assurance and sensory evaluations on a variety of ingredients served within Culver’s restaurants

Support Product Recalls

• Gather information and data to support thorough risk assessments and collaborate to determine risk severity
• Support the recall/withdrawal process by engaging all key stakeholders to protect the brand
• Collaborate with CFS Risk Management team on any end-to-end supply issues and/or restaurant operational-food safety issues
• Investigate and manage emerging issues from suppliers and work with public relations to address them proactively with franchisees, media, and other stakeholders
• Share reporting outcomes with suppliers on quality performance

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Agriculture, or a related field; Master’s Degree preferred
• 2-5 years experience in Food Safety and Quality Assurance, Microbiology, and/or Food Science including implementing and/or maintaining a Quality Management System (QMS) and audit experience using USDA and FDA as well as GFSI benchmarked schemes. Equivalent experience of education and experience acceptable
• FSQA experience in a food manufacturing/processing environment; in the restaurant and/or food service industry preferred
• Training, certification and experience conducting supplier assessments, both on-farm and in food production facilities, including GMP assessments for packing and processing facilities; fresh produce, meat, dairy, seafood, or prepared foods focused
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to collect and utilize data to create reports for management
• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate within all levels of the company and with suppliers
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and other software tools required for data entry and reporting
• Possess a strong understanding of Food Science/Food Microbiology principles and food preparation techniques
• Ability to monitor the Food Safety Incident Management System, including some weekends and holidays
• Able to travel 40-50% of the time.

Additional Information:

To be considered for this opportunity, please make sure to attach your resume to your application.

Starting Pay Range: $95,000 per year and up, commensurate with experience.
Classification: Exempt/Salary, full-time position.

This role includes a generous incentive bonus based on business results and individual success. We also offer workplace flexibility including flexible work hours and a hybrid work model. Join us at our beautiful Support Center in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin right on the Wisconsin River, just a short drive from Madison!

Culver Franchising System is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new team members.