Quality Assurance Team Lead

1. Job Purpose
Lead and drive Quality Assurance activities across KFC restaurants and relevant supply chain partners to ensure food safety, product quality, operational compliance and customer expectations are consistently met.
The QA Lead will work closely with Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, Training and external suppliers to identify quality risks, implement corrective actions and continuously improve KFC's quality and food safety standards.
2. Key Responsibilities
Quality & Food Safety
Lead the implementation and monitoring of KFC food safety, hygiene and quality standards across restaurants.
Conduct and oversee regular and ad-hoc restaurant audits based on KFC standards and checklists.
Monitor compliance with food safety regulations and internal SOPs.
Identify quality and food safety risks and recommend preventive and corrective actions.
Follow up on corrective action plans until issues are effectively closed.
Product & Process Quality
Monitor raw materials, ingredients and finished-product quality.
Verify product recipes, specifications, cooking parameters and quality standards.
Support new product launches by validating product quality and restaurant execution.
Investigate product quality incidents and customer complaints, including root-cause analysis.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce recurring quality issues.
Supplier & Supply Chain Quality
Monitor and evaluate supplier quality performance.
Support supplier audits and quality assessments.
Review and maintain supplier quality documentation.
Work with Supply Chain and suppliers to resolve material or product-quality issues.
Training & Capability Building
Develop and deliver food safety and quality training for restaurant teams.
Coach QA team members and restaurant management on quality standards.
Ensure employees understand and consistently apply food safety procedures.
Team Leadership
Lead, coach and develop QA team members.
Set team objectives, KPIs and priorities.
Review audit results and quality trends with the team.
Build a proactive quality culture focused on prevention rather than correction.
Reporting & Continuous Improvement
Prepare regular QA reports and dashboards for management.
Analyze audit findings, trends, complaints and quality incidents.
Escalate significant food safety or quality risks to relevant stakeholders.
Recommend system, process and SOP improvements based on data and risk assessment.
3. Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Quality Management or a related field.
Typically 4-6+ years of experience in QA/QC, preferably in F&B, FMCG, food manufacturing or restaurant chains.
Strong knowledge of HACCP, food safety, GMP, ISO 22000/FSSC 22000 and applicable food safety regulations.
Experience in food safety/quality auditing and corrective-action management.
Experience leading or coaching a QA team is preferred.
Strong analytical, problem-solving and root-cause-analysis skills.
Good communication, presentation and training skills.
Good English communication and Microsoft Office skills.
Willingness to travel to restaurants and suppliers when required.