Associate Manager, Total Quality and Food Safety - Orlando Based

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: This is an on-site position Monday – Thursday with flexibility to work remotely on Fridays and is based at Red Lobster’s corporate office in Orlando, FL. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Manager of Total Quality and Food Safety (TQFS) supports Red Lobster’s operational requirements  to delivering safe, high-quality food and guest experience.  This role champions operational food safety through training, policy management, inspections and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.  This role works closely with the TQFS management team and restaurant leadership to ensure food handling, storage, preparation, sanitation and pest control practices meet or exceed industry standards.  The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, proactive, and passionate about maintaining a clean, safe and compliant environment for both guests and team members.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Serve as a key advocate for Red Lobster’s TQFS culture.
• Provide food safety direction to the Operations and Restaurant Support Center (RSC) teams related to regulatory compliance and food safety management systems including HACCP, pest control, sanitation, health & hygiene, food temperature controls, foodservice equipment, basic facility management and food safety auditing
• Train team members on safe food handling, cross-contamination prevention, allergen awareness, sanitation and pest control standards.
• Manage administration of Red Lobster’s third-party food safety audits, sanitation and pest management reporting systems
• Work cross-functionally with Operations, Facilities, Training, Culinary, Strategic Sourcing and other departments as needed to support restaurant operations.
• Support the TQ management team on the creation and refinement of TQFS SOPs
• Track and publish recurring KPIs and dashboards related to vendor performance, food safety, training, and restaurant operations metrics
• Assist the TQFS management team in the development and refinement of reports on food safety trends, vendor, and restaurant performance
• Evaluate existing functional processes and systems to recommend and implement process improvements based on expert knowledge gained
• Perform routine administrative duties as needed
• Perform special projects under the direction of the TQFS management team

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in food science or related field.
• Previous experience in foodservice operations, food safety, food science, culinary, or public health preferred
• Expert level skills with Excel and SharePoint required, with proficiency in other Microsoft Office applications
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices; ServSafe certification strongly preferred
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and team-oriented environment
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple cross-functional projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills, intellectual curiosity and the ability to troubleshoot and support dynamic food safety and food quality scenarios
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and holidays if needed.
• Strong interest in developing a career path in food quality and safety, with a passion for food and hospitality
• 20-30% travel may be required