Head of Food Safety/Quality UK/EU

Lead the UK/Ireland and EU markets in the development, execution, and continuous improvement of Pizza Hut's Food Safety & Quality Assurance systems, ensuring regulatory compliance, product quality, supply chain integrity, and a strong food safety culture. Job Size Responsible for Food Safety and Quality Assurance across the UK, Ireland, and EU. Supports franchise partners, suppliers, manufacturing, distribution, and restaurant operations. Regional accountability for all programs and requirements outlined by the Global Food Safety Center of Excellence. Food Safety & Quality Strategy & Governance Own the Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) strategy for the UK, Ireland, and EU markets, ensuring alignment with Pizza Hut's global vision and business objectives. Provide leadership for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Food Safety Management System (FSMS), associated policies, standards, and governance processes. Drive a proactive food safety culture through risk-based decision making, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives. Anticipate emerging regulatory and industry trends, ensuring organizational readiness and ongoing compliance. Supplier & Restaurant Food Safety Provide strategic oversight of supplier quality systems, Quality Systems Audit program, supplier approval, performance management, audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement. Partner with Operations Team on strategic oversight for restaurant food safety programs and FSCC audit program. Establish and maintain product quality standards throughout the entire product lifecycle, including product specifications, ingredient management, quality audits, product evaluations, and restaurant complaint investigations. Partner with Supply Chain and Procurement to support alternate sourcing strategies, supplier development, business continuity planning, and cost optimization while maintaining food safety and quality expectations. Ensure effective food safety oversight across manufacturing, distribution, and restaurant operations. Risk Management, Compliance & Crisis Leadership Serve as the regional subject matter expert for food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, nutrition, and allergen management. Lead regional crisis management activities, including food safety incidents, product withdrawals, recalls, and regulatory investigations, ensuring timely and effective resolution. Develop risk-based performance metrics, predictive analytics, and executive reporting to identify emerging risks and drive preventative actions. Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and Pizza Hut global standards across assigned markets. Business Partnership & Stakeholder Leadership Serve as the primary Food Safety & Quality business partner to regional leadership, Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Marketing, Regulatory Affairs, and franchise organizations. Build collaborative relationships with franchisees, suppliers, regulatory agencies, and industry associations to strengthen organizational capability and protect the Pizza Hut brand. Influence cross-functional decision making by integrating food safety and quality considerations into business planning, innovation, and operational execution. Represent Pizza Hut in industry forums and with regulatory authorities to advance food safety best practices and organizational credibility. Organizational Capability & Talent Development Build and develop a high-performing Food Safety & Quality organization through coaching, capability development, succession planning, and performance management. Establish technical training programs that strengthen food safety knowledge across franchisees, suppliers, and internal business partners. Foster a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and operational excellence that enables sustainable business growth. People Leadership Direct Reports: 5 Indirect Reports: Cross-functional leadership across franchisees, suppliers, and regional teams. Working Relationships Global & Regional FSQ COEs Operations Team Supply Chain Team Food and Packaging Suppliers Franchisees Regulatory Authorities Knowledge and Skills Required Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field 7 - 10+ years of Food Safety & Quality experience Deep expertise in Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS), HACCP, GFSI-recognized standards, supplier quality assurance, food regulations, and crisis/incident management. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, influence stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across complex and geographically diverse environments. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess risks, interpret technical data, and make sound business decisions. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Demonstrated success managing audits, regulatory inspections, corrective action programs, and supplier performance improvement initiatives. Preferred Qualifications Professional fluency in French.