Food Quality Safety Compliance Manager - Retail Division

About us

Since 1942, SkyChefs has taken culinary excellence to new heights. As a trusted partner to the nation’s leading airlines and retailers, we proudly deliver millions of meals and exceptional service experiences every year across 43 sites throughout the United States. Built on a legacy of operational excellence, culinary expertise, and continuous innovation, we are committed to setting the industry standard in aviation culinary, airline services, last-mile logistics, and retail commerce. From the kitchen to the runway, our teams work together to deliver quality, reliability, and service at every altitude. Our people are the heart of everything we do. At SkyChefs, a career is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to grow, lead, and make an impact in a fast-paced, team-driven environment. Join America’s first, foremost, and finest and take your career to new heights.

Position Overview

Join our Retail Division Quality team as a Food Quality Compliance Manager and help drive food safety, quality excellence, and regulatory compliance across a growing network of Ready-to-Eat manufacturing and retail locations across the U.S. This highly visible leadership role partners with operations, quality teams, customers, and suppliers to develop and strengthen Food Safety and Quality Management Systems, ensuring product integrity, compliance with FDA, USDA, and GFSI requirements, and adherence to customer and brand expectations. The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, builds strong partnerships across multiple locations, and is passionate about protecting both our customers and our brand.

• Work Location: This position can be based at our HQ's in Irving, TX or at one of our retail division locations: Denver, CO, Charlotte, NC, Phoenix, AZ, Atlanta, GA, Orlando, FL.

• Travel Requirement: This role requires approximately 60-70% travel to support teams in our locations across the U.S.

Main AccountabilitiesQuality Assurance

• Create, develop, maintain and communicate best-in-class food safety and quality management systems

• Measure supplier and CSC compliance to quality systems standards to identify and address high risk concerns through audit and inspections

• Lead improvement, corrective and preventative actions with US operations & market teams.

• Provide technical and subject matter expertise as required.

• Contribute to the design of new products, processes and procedures with risk assessments, establishing quality systems, defining quality requirements, qualifying new suppliers and writing, reviewing and approval of specifications.

• Contribute to cost, capacity and contingency projects.

• Provide coaching and training to CSC leadership on all food safety, quality and problem solving programs, as well as facilitation training of the Quality Systems

• Conduct assessments with emphasis in food safety

• Ensure customer requirements relevant to quality and food safety are met

• Conduct vendor inspections to qualify or verify vendors in conjunction with procurement, and assist with supplier accreditation and recalls when needed

• Provide monthly progress reports for distribution

• Participate and support company sponsored initiatives such as Lean Manufacturing

• Engage with Key Customers and provide leadership to ensure highest standards are met

• Evaluate the level of compliance to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and USDA regulations

• Manage and maintain all documentation according to USDA, FDA and Company requirements

• Assist with the implementation of USDA, FDA and GQS components

• Participate and support company sponsored initiatives such as Lean Manufacturing

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Food Science, Biology or related scientific/Food field

• Minimum 5-7 years’ experience in quality assurance, field operations or related food industry experience in managing Quality Assurance Programs, and/or Manufacturing Systems

• 3 plus years working with USDA facilities

• Direct experience with food labeling requirements, regulations and nutritional panels/compliance

• Experience in conducting external and internal audits

• Working knowledge of Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points, (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practices, (GMPs), ISO Standards, International food standards and regulations, BRC certification process, manufacturing best practices and continuous improvement and general microbiology

• Proactive problem-solving and creative decision-making skills

• Experience in team-based management and multi-unit environment

• Ability to facilitate groups and communicate effectively at all levels in the organization.

• Strong oral, written and interpersonal skills with analytical, organizational and planning expertise

• Ability to facilitate groups and experience in writing training materials preferred

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office and Windows-based computer applications

• 60% – 70% domestic travel required to our U.S. facility/kitchen locations

• Initial training is conducted at SkyChefs corporate headquarters in Irving, TX

Preferred Certifications

• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI)

• Internal auditor certification (GSFI scheme)

• HACCP and Seafood HACCP certification

• GFSI schemes certification such as BRC, FSSC 22000, SQF