Manager, Food Safety & Quality Systems

Department Overview

The Lead Quality Assurance, Food Safety & Nutrition (QFSN) is accountable for setting and delivering the end‑to‑end QFSN strategy for McDonald’s UK & Ireland, ensuring the highest standards of food safety, product quality, legality and nutritional compliance across the entire supply chain and restaurant estate. Operating as a functional leader within the UK&I Supply Chain Leadership Team, this role provides strategic direction, governance and leadership across suppliers, restaurants and internal stakeholders. The role ensures QFSN is a source of competitive advantage, protects brand trust, and enables safe, compliant and innovative business growth. This role leads a multi‑disciplinary QFSN function and works in close partnership with Global teams, franchisees and suppliers to embed a strong food safety culture, robust risk management and continuous improvement mindset across the system.

Duties

• Set and deliver the UK&I QFSN strategy, aligned to global standards and local legislation, with clear priorities across food safety, quality and nutrition.
• Translate business strategy into clear functional roadmaps, embedding robust QFSN governance across key processes including stage & gate, NPD, supplier approvals and change management.
• Hold accountability for food safety, quality and nutrition risk across the UK&I supply chain and restaurant estate.
• Provide leadership during incidents, crises and recalls, ensuring timely, proportionate and well‑governed decision‑making.
• Oversee the effectiveness and continuous improvement of food safety management systems, allergen controls, microbiological programmes and nutrition compliance.
• Champion a strong food safety and quality culture, ensuring accountability, transparency and continuous learning across the system. 
• Lead engagement with regulators, enforcement bodies and external stakeholders as required.
• Influence cross‑functional decision‑making to ensure food safety, quality and nutrition considerations are embedded early and effectively.
• Drive continuous improvement through data‑led insight, risk‑based prioritisation and trend analysis.
• Lead, develop and inspire a high‑performing QFSN team, building capability through succession planning, coaching and talent development.
• Embed McDonald’s cultural values, inclusive leadership behaviours and accountability across the function.
• Role‑model calm, decisive leadership in complex and high‑pressure situations.

Qualifications

What You’ll Need

• Proven 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 track record 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.

What You’ll Get:

• Competitive salary, plus a comprehensive benefits package including location Allowance, car Allowance, free parking, lunch and gym access.
• Access to industry-leading training and career development opportunities.
• A collaborative and inclusive culture, where your ideas are valued.
• Hybrid working, offering a mix of office 3 days per week and remote for 2!