$100,000-$125,000 + bonus + stock grants

Full Remote anywhere in a Potbelly company market

Potbelly Sandwich Shops, where Good Vibes and Great Careers are a way of life! Come Build the Potbelly Nation with us.

Potbelly got its start in 1977 as a small antique store that turned into a lines-out-the-door neighborhood sandwich shop. Before you knew it, we were serving up delicious food in a fun environment at more than 400 shops across the United States.

We continue to wake up every day with one goal: Make people happy through good vibes and delicious craveable food. Put those awesome ingredients together, and there’s no telling what we’ll cook up next!

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Director of Quality Assurance & Food Safety is responsible for driving the Food Safety Culture of our organization.

Ensuring that all food being served is safe and of high quality is critical. Through integrity and positive energy, the Director is expected to coach, influence behaviors, and drive results; while continuously evaluating and elevating our standards.

The Director is our subject matter expert, with strong technical knowledge of food safety throughout the supply chain, and an in-depth understanding of the regulatory landscape.

FOCUS

Responsibilities

• Shop and Organization Influence:

• Continuously develop and enhance a comprehensive, proactive, and effective food safety management system.
• Promote and drive a culture of continuous improvement for all food safety related activities and programs.
• Maintain and update programs and standards at the restaurant level including proper food handling operating procedures, sanitation, crisis management, training, etc.
• Coach shops and drive accountability through internal records and reporting.
• Manage 3rd Party Audit Program and Health Department Inspection Data to ensure compliance with company and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Training Department to develop and implement in-shop training programs. Support food safety certification process.
• Partner with Ops Services Department on all written Food Safety, Quality and Sanitation documentation.
• Manage pest control program and analyze data. Incorporate best practices and partner with OPS and Facilities on preventative action plans.
• Lead Crisis Management: Including product withdrawal, recall and potential food borne illnesses.
• Support Shops during extraordinary events that interrupt business.
• Liaison with industry and regulatory communities as needed.
• Involved with customer complaint process.

• Supplier Support

• Manage and monitor new and existing suppliers to ensure they meet all applicable company and regulatory food safety and quality specifications and requirements.
• Support process modifications, specification development and alignment efforts as required to develop new food sources.
• Manage product non-compliance and shop product complaint processes for root cause assessment and resolution.
• Partner with Procurement Team to manage supplier scorecard; identifying risk, driving accountability and building our relationships.

• Product Management

• Manage and monitor new and existing products to ensure they meet all applicable company and regulatory food safety and quality specifications and requirements.
• Partner with Procurement team to conduct regular reviews of product specifications.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Legal teams to ensure compliance with menu labeling laws.
• Review and approve all published nutritional/allergen information.

• Other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS

• Must have the ability/stamina to work a minimum of 45 to 55 hours a week.
• Will frequently reach, feel, bend, stoop, carry, finely manipulate, and key in data.
• Must be able to engage in problem-solving skills to help identify and solve potential issues in the field.
• Must be able to communicate heavily through telephone, e-mail and in-person communications.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND BEHAVIORS

Required

• Must represent Potbelly Advantage and Our Values.
• Bachelor of Science in food science, microbiology, biology, environmental health, or related discipline.
• Food Safety Certifications such as: Certified Professional – Food Safety (CP-FS), Registered Sanitarian (RS), Registered Environmental Health Practitioner (REHS), and HACCP
• Strong working knowledge of FDA Model Food Code, HACCP, auditing principles, process control.
• Understand GFSI and FSMA requirements.
• Strong computer skills
• 7 + years in a Quality Assurance/ Food Safety role with a restaurant concept or food manufacturer
• Experience in both supplier approval process and driving continuous improvement with existing suppliers.
• Experienced in specification development and implementation

Preferred

• Advanced degree in food science, microbiology, biology, environmental health, or related discipline.
• SQF Practitioner
• Experience in food testing protocols, methodologies, and microbiological issues in food.
• Experience in auditing suppliers
• Active in industry organizations such as Conference for Food Protection, QA Study Group, Food Safety Summit, IFT and NEHA.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.