Sr. Manager Food Safety and Quality Assurance

JOB DESCRIPTION This position reports to the SVP, Chief Food Safety & Quality Assurance Officer. The Sr. Manager, Food Safety and Quality Assurance will work Suppliers, DC’s, Produce Houses, Panera’s Quality Assurance and Café Operations and serve on cross-functional teams driving food safety and quality initiatives.The Sr. Manager, Food Safety and Quality Assurance will be responsible for approving suppliers, Produce Houses and DC’s with all supporting documentation at the SKU level. They will be responsible for identifying and delivering continuous improvement initiatives to drive food safety, quality and conformance to specification (improving supplier capability and performance) at the café and guest level while ensuring regulatory compliance.This position has duties which include the development of food safety procedures and policies, report writing, data analysis, facility auditing, assistance in the development of process improvement plans, formal communication to both internal and external customers, provide training to Associates related to food quality and food safety, and interaction with regulatory agencies as needed.Key ResponsibilitiesApprovals of Suppliers, DC’s, Produce Houses with all supporting documentation on a permanent and ongoing basis.Reporting and working with Suppliers, Produce Houses and DC’s on risk reduction, product and process improvements, capability studies and root cause analysis with CAPA (as needed).Monitor, review, and investigate food safety complaint data / quality data and work with Suppliers, Produce Houses and DC’s on follow up and action plans to ensure we are mitigating food safety risks and quality risks.Provide technical expertise and support to the field on projects designed to improve our food quality, food safety and sanitation.Conduct periodic Supplier, Produce House and DC audits to ensure our partners are meeting the Panera Standards.Collaborate and work in tandem with Quality Assurance, Culinary, Sourcing, Café Operations, MSD and Suppliers to drive product / process improvements within the supplier and supply chain base.Support and drive the execution of key food safety, regulatory and quality initiatives within respective categories.Qualifications and ExperienceB.S. in Food Science or related field10 - 15 years of work-related experience in food industry, bakery manufacturing and/or produce experience desired7 years’ experience leading teams and developing others with multiple plant responsibilities.GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) certification / experienceKnowledge of food microbiology, food safety, food safety controls, food defense, sanitary design, auditing, and GMP’sPossess and maintain technical and professional knowledge as it relates to Regulatory Compliance, FSMA, Food Code and HARPC.Prior Auditing experiencePrior Recall experienceAbility to thrive in a dynamic and fast pace environmentAbility to influence without authority and communicate appropriately for the intended audienceMust be computer literate, including word processing and spreadsheet applicationsStrong team and cross functional business partnerInterpersonal skills and the ability to interact positively with Associates and Management at the Plant levelIntrinsically motivated, self-starter with a positive attitudeAbility to travel as much as 40%Working Conditions:This position must be based in Boston, and will require a hybrid work schedule at our Newton, MA offices. Travel is up to 40%Physical Requirements:While performing this job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, & use hands and fingers to operate keyboardsAdditional Description :

Created: 2025-10-31