Take one man with a big idea, add 11 herbs and spices, grit, ambition, and buckets of heart – you’ve got KFC.
Since 1939, we’ve been bringing finger lickin’ good chicken to the world, and today we’re proud to be in over 1000 communities across the UK & Ireland. But without our people, none of it would be possible. Just like our recipe, they’re all original.
Join us. Bring it. And together, we can be part of something truly extraordinary.
Bringing it to the role.
The Food Safety Manager role is to ensure that our Food Safety strategy is best‑in‑class, always doing the right thing when it comes to safety and compliance. You will continue to build on the KFC UK&I brand reputation by developing strategic relationships and influencing key stakeholders at all levels. Critically, you will turn technical food safety knowledge into practical thinking that will help our restaurant teams and guests stay safe.
This role is part of the Risk and Compliance Team, reporting into the Risk and Compliance Leader. The team sits within the wider Restaurant Excellence department, where our priority is running great restaurants. The right person will lead and influence across a variety of projects and workstreams aimed at ensuring food safety is at everyone’s forefront.
This role will be field‑based and work across the UK & Ireland.
What you’ll do
- Own the Food Safety strategy for the business, reviewing legislation and industry guidance for UK&I, and ensuring all policies and processes align.
- Maintain high food safety standards through HACCP and FSMS guidance, and leading Food Safety across the business.
- Oversee the Pest Management process and manage the Equity Pest Control contract.
- Collaborate with Regional Safety Managers on all Food Safety‑related matters and agenda.
- Ensure all team members receive appropriate Food Safety training, and lead the development of training content.
- Support the Food Safety element of our third‑party audit programme (ROCC), review results, trends and data insights, and maintain policies, processes and risk assessments on our internal system.
- Collaborate closely with Operations and QA on restaurant routines (temperature checks, cleaning schedules, pest walks), new product or packaging launches, product safety validations, and innovation of new equipment or process trials—all to maintain Food Safety.
- Manage compliance with external regulators: lead the process with Enforcement Liaison partners to achieve 4 or 5 ratings, work with Primary Authority partners, provide regular internal reporting and data insights, and support enforcement or customer contacts.
- Engage franchise partners and the Equity Team on Food Safety matters, and represent UK&I in European and International forums.
What we’d love from you
About You
- Passionate, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Food Safety and driving a food safety culture.
- Solution‑driven and as passionate about recovery and resolution as risk identification.
- Strong ability to influence senior leaders both internally and externally.
- Consistently high communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to prioritise and effectively manage time across a number of workstreams and projects within deadlines.
- Analytical thinker capable of root‑cause analysis and driving continuous improvement.
- Skilled at developing and sustaining relationships.
- Team player who can also work independently when required.
- Motivated to continuously learn and develop oneself.
- Outstanding action‑driving ability and attention to detail in managing projects and processes.
Experience
- A related degree (or equivalent qualifications) such as Food Science, Technology or Environmental Health.
- Relevant experience in Food Safety Management (including HACCP, policy writing and operational implementation).
- Experience in the food service, hospitality or food retail sector is a huge benefit.
- Previous experience managing contractors (e.g., pest control, audit).
- Experience investigating food safety incidents and accidents.
- Proven track record of managing both internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience working in a fast‑paced environment.
Buckets of Benefits
- Flexible, hybrid working with our Restaurant Support Centre located in Woking, Surrey – a 24‑minute train ride from London Waterloo. Travel across the UK & Ireland may be required.
- Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution.
- ‘Fri‑Yay’ time – finish up at 1pm every Friday, all year round.
- Live Well Days – 5 days per year to disconnect from day‑to‑day, in addition to 25 days annual leave and bank holidays.
- Ability to buy or sell up to 5 extra days of your core holiday allowance each year.
- After 5 years’ service, annual holiday allowance increases to 30 days.
- Bonus – rewards for achieving company and individual goals through our bonus scheme.
- Wellness – access to wellbeing initiatives and programmes, including Telus Health and 1:1 mental health coaching.
- Private healthcare, including Digital GP and optional family cover.
- Flexible and voluntary benefits: dental insurance, health screening, gym discounts.
- Insurances – life and income protection for all colleagues.
- Study support may be available for job‑related qualifications.
- Parental leave – enhanced paid leave and flexible return‑to‑work options.
- Colleague discount – 25% discount for KFC.
- Car may be provided based on need (minimum 10k business miles per year).
Our Commitment to You
Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our teams. We value, support and celebrate what makes Team KFC authentic and original. All candidates – regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, ability, religion or sexual orientation – are welcome. We encourage applications from women, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you need any additional support with your application or during recruitment, let us know. For those who are neurodiverse, our accessibility toolbar can help you apply.
Ready to apply?
If you are ready to bring your passion, skills and dedication to KFC, we encourage you to apply now. We look forward to welcoming you to our team and embarking on this extraordinary journey together. Bring it.
Don’t tick all the boxes? No worries. If you don’t match every criterion but think you’d be a great fit, we’d love to hear from you.
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