Food Safety & Quality Specialist

Job Description:

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Food Safety & Quality Specialist partners with the Food Safety and Quality team to advance the team’s agenda through the development and implementation of policies and programs that facilitate the achievements of Portillo’s food safety and quality goals.  The role works with the field operations and Restaurant Support Center (corporate) resources to ensure proper implementation and training of all food safety and quality programs to mitigate food safety quality risks. The Food Safety and Quality Specialist will manage food safety resources and partner with field teams to coordinate the consistent development, execution, and monitoring of food safety programs.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Enable our Purpose to create lifelong memories by igniting the senses with unrivaled food and experiences:

Family:  Work together to make everyone feel at home, and we step up when someone needs help

• Provide strategic coaching, feedback, and practical solutions on a broad range of safety and quality issues including process management and Team Member related actions to enhance individual and organizational growth
• Build and foster relationships with the operations team to support our food safety procedures.  Ensure restaurant teams have access to critical information during a crisis such as a foodborne illness complaint, reportable illness notification, or oversight of any business outage affecting food safety or reopening restaurants when the risk has been resolved
• Inspire team members, lead by example, and create a culture of high performance by providing ongoing and actionable performance-based feedback.  Ensure that appropriate direction is established and maintained for all restaurant teams
• Supervise and provide written procedures for sanitation and disinfecting.  Provide instructions on how to use chemicals and complete cleaning routines

Greatness:  We’re obsessed with being the best and work hard to continuously improve. Our greatness is rooted in Quality, Service, Attitude and Cleanliness

• Conduct routine food safety and cleanliness audit inspections to confirm Portillo’s restaurants are following company procedures and regulatory requirements
• Evaluate data collected monthly from pest reports to share with the Market Manager and restaurant management team affiliated with the pest report
• Develop instructional Reference Guides that not only meet regulatory requirements but also reflects our commitment to ‘Energy’ and ‘Fun’ by engaging team members actively
• Maintain required Food Safety Certifications

Energy:  We move with urgency and passion, while maintaining attention to detail

• Participate in mock food recalls and actual food recalls as needed
• Manage guest complaints of foodborne illness, objects in food and reports of team members incorrectly following  company procedures.  Upon review, determine if additional steps are required to address food safety concerns.  Provide information to the Legal/Risk Departments as needed on food safety issues

Fun:  We entertain our guests, we connect authentically, and we make each other smile

• Utilize coaching techniques to inspire team members to comply with required cleanliness and food safety routines
• Create SOPs defining the purpose of training materials and a concise topic Reference Guide for each SOP created

ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports to the Food Safety and Quality Manager within the Supply Chain Department.  This position may also support the following departments on food safety issues: Risk, Legal, Facilities, Culinary, Marketing, L&D and Technology

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Educational Level/Certifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• College classes related to food science or business operations or 2 years work experience as a manager in a food retail operation or food safety management role
• Certified Food Protection Manager,  HACCP, and Allergen Training

Minimum Work Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs
• Ability to present food safety materials and results in small group meetings (5-20 people) in person or virtually
• Exceptional organizational and decision-making skills, particularly in high-pressure situations
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and execute plans effectively
• Proven self-starter with a track record of setting ambitious goals and consistently achieving them
• Aptitude for balancing multiple priorities and set priorities based on risk factors

Travel Requirement

• Occasional travel may be required 15%.  Overnight stays are common when responding to urgent business needs
• Travel (in-state and out-of-state) is generally a scheduled event, but an urgent matter may require more flexibility

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Training facilitation
• Broad knowledge of restaurant operations, catering and off-site events
• Understand and enforce Service Agreements for janitorial companies, cleaning services and pest control
• Bi-lingual

Educational Level/Certifications

• Certified Food Protection Manager, Allergen Protections, HACCP, and OSHA Safety

Work Experience and Qualification

• 2+ years of field experience such as registered retail food sanitarian, food safety auditor or food safety quality assurance specialist
• Multi-unit experience (e.g., restaurant, retail, hospitality)
• Multi-state employer experience is a plus

What's in it for you?

Hot Dog!  The pay range for this role is $55,000 – $75,000.  Your actual compensation will depend on experience, location, and/or additional skills you bring to the table. 

The position is also served with:

• Participation in a discretionary bonus program based on company and Individual performance, among other ingredients. 
• A monthly technology reimbursement
• Quarterly Portillo's gift cards
• A bun-believable benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision
• Insurance along with paid time off and our 401(k) plan with a company match
• Learn more about our benefits here 

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbents assigned to this job.  This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities, duties and skills required.  The incumbent may be expected to perform other duties as assigned. This job may be reviewed as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity.