Quality Assurance Manager

We provide franchise management services to some of America's most beloved brands, including Applebee’s, Arby's, Bar Louie, Burger King, Cantina Laredo, Freebirds, Golden Corral, IHOP, McAlister’s, Papa John’s, Popeye’s, Taco Bueno, and Uncle Julio’s. The Quality Assurance Manager will partner with Purchasing, Operations, Culinary/R&D, Legal, suppliers, and distribution partners to manage inspections, supplier approvals, product specifications, nutritional information, quality investigations, and recall coordination.

Quality Assurance Manager

Company: Sun Holdings

Department: Quality Assurance

Reports To: VP of Purchasing

Position Summary

Sun Holdings is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance across our multi-brand restaurant portfolio and supplier network. This position is responsible for protecting guest safety, maintaining product integrity, and ensuring consistent quality standards at both the restaurant and supplier levels.

The Quality Assurance Manager will partner with Purchasing, Operations, Culinary/R&D, Legal, suppliers, and distribution partners to manage inspections, supplier approvals, product specifications, nutritional information, quality investigations, and recall coordination. The ideal candidate combines technical food science expertise with a practical understanding of restaurant operations and strong problem-solving skills.

Key Responsibilities

Restaurant Food Safety and Compliance

• Establish, implement, and monitor food safety and quality standards across assigned brands and restaurant locations.
• Review Health Department inspection results and third-party audits, identify recurring issues, and partner with Operations on corrective action plans.
• Develop and maintain HACCP programs, food safety procedures, and inspection documentation.
• Support restaurant leadership in responding to inspection findings and maintaining productive relationships with regulatory agencies.
• Provide guidance and training on food handling, sanitation, temperature control, allergen management, and contamination prevention.

Supplier Quality Assurance

• Manage supplier qualification, approval, and ongoing quality performance.
• Review supplier audits, certifications, HACCP plans, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and regulatory documentation.
• Coordinate supplier audits or facility assessments based on product risk, performance, or quality concerns.
• Track supplier deficiencies and corrective actions through completion and verify their effectiveness.
• Maintain current supplier approval records and communicate significant risks to Purchasing and leadership.

Product Specifications and Quality Reviews

• Partner with Purchasing, Culinary/R&D, Operations, and suppliers to develop and validate product specifications.
• Review ingredients, allergens, nutritional information, packaging, shelf life, storage requirements, and quality acceptance criteria.
• Coordinate product evaluations to confirm consistency, food safety, brand standards, and suitability for restaurant use.
• Evaluate supplier changes, reformulations, substitutions, and new products through established review and approval processes.

Quality Investigations and Recall Management

• Investigate product defects, foreign material concerns, spoilage, contamination risks, temperature abuse, packaging failures, and labeling discrepancies.
• Gather supporting documentation and work with suppliers and distributors to establish traceability and identify root causes.
• Require and monitor corrective and preventive action plans to resolve issues and reduce recurrence.
• Coordinate product holds, withdrawals, and recalls with Purchasing, Operations, Legal, suppliers, and distribution partners.
• Support mock recalls and maintain accurate records of affected products, communications, and final disposition.
• Escalate significant food safety concerns and provide timely updates to leadership.

Nutritional Analysis and Menu Compliance

• Manage and validate nutritional information, ingredient statements, and allergen documentation across supported brands.
• Maintain accurate nutritional databases for approved ingredients, standardized recipes, and finished menu items.
• Evaluate the impact of recipe modifications, portion changes, ingredient substitutions, and supplier changes.
• Coordinate laboratory testing or third-party nutritional analysis when needed.
• Support accurate menu disclosures, calorie statements, and applicable labeling requirements.

Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

• Partner with internal teams and distribution partners to resolve sourcing, transportation, storage, handling, and product quality concerns.
• Track inspection performance, supplier compliance, quality complaints, and corrective action completion.
• Develop consistent policies, reporting tools, and documentation practices across supported brands.
• Communicate emerging risks and improvement opportunities while promoting a proactive food safety culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Microbiology, Public Health, Quality Assurance, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in food safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, or a related field.
• Experience supporting multi-unit restaurant operations and food manufacturing or supplier quality assurance strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, sanitation, allergen management, supplier audits, and restaurant inspection requirements.
• Working knowledge of FDA and applicable state and local food safety requirements; familiarity with USDA-FSIS requirements where applicable.
• Experience reviewing product specifications, nutritional data, supplier documentation, and third-party certifications.
• Experience conducting root-cause investigations, managing corrective actions, and supporting recalls or traceability exercises.
• Strong communication, analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage priorities across multiple brands, locations, and suppliers and travel as needed.

Preferred Certifications

• HACCP certification.
• Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM).
• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), where applicable.
• Certified Professional–Food Safety (CP-FS), Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS), or comparable credentials.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sun Holdings is an equal opportunity employer.

Learn more about Sun Holdings at www.sunholdings.net.

Sun Holdings is one of the largest franchise organizations in the U.S., proudly supporting over 1,300 restaurant locations across 31 states. We provide franchise management services to some of America's most beloved brands, including Applebee’s, Arby's, Bar Louie, Burger King, Cantina Laredo, Freebirds, Golden Corral, IHOP, McAlister’s, Papa John’s, Popeye’s, Taco Bueno, and Uncle Julio’s.
Join our team of hands-on problem-solvers!

Job Type

Full time