Senior Manager, Food Safety & Quality

Role overview

This London-based leadership role owns the rollout of the Product Excellence Program across Europe, MEA and WTR. It covers food safety, food quality and regulatory compliance, while also guiding business initiatives, projects and partner onboarding across manufacturing, co-packing, food service, licensing and distribution.

The position has direct reports and works closely with regional leadership and cross-functional teams. It supports capital, innovation and capacity projects, continuous improvement work, and the review and approval of new or existing contract partners. The role also helps ensure compliance with global food safety standards and local country rules.

Leadership and team management

You will lead the team’s day-to-day work so that functional goals are delivered efficiently and in line with business priorities. The role includes coaching, capability building, performance support, administrative oversight and maintaining effective systems.

Key expectations include developing direct reports, driving preventive programs, solving problems, improving processes, and steering responses to new or changing policies, regulations and procedures. You will also coordinate evaluations of partner facilities and manage ongoing supplier and partner relationships.

Business support and project execution

The role acts as a key contact for food safety, food quality and regulatory matters between site teams and corporate stakeholders. It supports design reviews, site assessments, trials, start-ups and delivery of project milestones for innovation, capacity and capital programs.

You will ensure that required corrective actions are completed, that certification and regulatory assessments are handled properly, and that the Product Excellence Program is implemented consistently across the scope of the position. The job also requires hands-on technical oversight across sanitation, quality systems, policy development and regulatory implementation.

Continuous improvement

The role leads investigations into food safety, food quality and regulatory issues, and ensures appropriate corrective and preventive actions are carried out. It also contributes to reliability improvements and wider continuous improvement initiatives across teams and regions, including collaboration with the corporate quality group to enhance programs.

Knowledge and capability requirements

This position calls for strong leadership, advanced communication skills, business judgment and the ability to influence people from external partners through executive level. The candidate should be able to explain technical matters clearly to non-technical audiences, manage multiple priorities, deliver presentations, and build relationships with regulators, manufacturers, suppliers and trade groups.

Technical depth is needed in manufacturing practices, food safety and food quality principles, sanitation, laboratory methods, GFSI and SQF standards, auditing, assessment and project leadership. Strong computer skills are also required, along with the flexibility to work varied hours and travel as much as 50%.

Education and experience

A bachelor’s degree is required, ideally in Food Science, Food Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline. A master’s degree or MBA is preferred.

Preferred credentials include SQF Practitioner, PCQI, HACCP and Six Sigma certifications. The role requires at least 10 years of relevant food industry experience, including a minimum of 5 years in leadership or management with direct reports. Background in hygienic and sanitary design is preferred, as is experience in chocolate or sugar confectionery manufacturing and in a range of manufacturing processes such as enrobing, moulding, panning, baking, roasting, aseptic, retort, low or intermediate water activity, extruding, coating, cooling, starch moulding, curing, pressing, tempering, liquid extraction, mixing, seasoning and packaging. Experience with CIP, COP, dry cleaning and wet cleaning is also preferred.

Recruitment technology notice

Applications may be reviewed using automated screening tools and AI-assisted systems that help with matching, scoring and interview scheduling. These tools only process the information submitted in the application, such as the resume, work history, education and screening responses. Final hiring decisions are made by human recruiters using independent judgment. Additional notices may be provided depending on location and role.

Other details

Requisition number: 128755.

Posted date: Jun 27, 2026.

Location: London, England.