Senior Manager Food Safety

Overview

This position will exemplify Our Purpose, Vision, and Guiding Principles. Provides strategic/tactical leadership in the development and implementation of programs, policies, procedures and initiatives in food safety, quality, regulatory compliance and environmental health & safety. Responsible for mentoring company/franchisees in vendor reviews, product module reviews and in minimizing financial losses related to accidents and injuries. Identifies opportunities to improve operational performance, minimize liabilities, ensure compliance with food safety and environmental legislation while protecting our most valuable asset, our Denny’s name and people.

Essential Functions (Key Responsibilities)

• Provide strategic guidance on food safety procedures and policies; ensure validation compliance to all safety programs and develop a true safety and compliance culture.
• Train and educate on all food safety programs; discuss Area/Regional results and performance trends; meet with and counsel franchisees/company leaders and report.
• Create a positive, competitive atmosphere to change behaviors and improve results; provide operational support and follow‑up to ensure improvement opportunities are identified and corrected.
• Work with outside agencies (federal, state and local law enforcement, etc.) as necessary.
• Act as a liaison working with Franchisees, Company Field Leaders, Learning & Development, Operations Excellence and other teammates to develop and implement e‑learning in food safety and safety modules/programs.
• Advise company/franchise operations on monitoring and maintaining programs for compliance with state, federal and OSHA requirements.
• Counsel franchisees and company leaders to work with Risk Management, Operations and Health Departments regarding communicable diseases, outbreaks and local/state protocols.
• Co‑ordinate, coach and support leaders at all levels regarding brand standards, regulatory rules and safety operating procedures.
• Develop key escalation processes related to trending hotline calls/complaints (products, equipment, regulatory and OSHA requirements) and requests from the field.
• Follow up and gather information on calls from Operations, third‑party auditing vendors, health departments and guests to ensure brand food safety/HACCP standards are met in all restaurants.
• Attain information and facts regarding allegations of foodborne illnesses, safety issues and trends in restaurants and follow up with franchisees/company operations as appropriate.
• Advise on investigations and resolutions to comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and company policies.
• Investigate and assist with administrative hearings and fines related to restaurants.
• Work with Operations and vendors regarding reported pest activity via third‑party audit, guest complaints and health inspections.
• Oversee compliance of Cook's/Server's guides, prep/pull charts, Manager Logbook and Walk‑Through/Temperature Book annually, review with OBAC, franchisees and company leaders.
• Develop guidelines for brand standards/HACCP manual, menu HACCP for all new products, support core menu updates, module resources, recipe cards and assist with product development for food safety and brand compliance.
• Develop and revise the Food Safety Audit form and Food Safety Resource Guide for traditional and non‑traditional restaurants.
• Counsel franchisees in completing the food safety section of plan reviews for permitting purposes.
• Actively participate on Operational BAC committees, implement the current FDA Food Code to meet or exceed Denny’s brand standards.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional departments to ensure food safety, cleanliness, environmental health and safety, and brand standards are in place and meet or exceed regulatory rules.
• Analyze behaviors and trends in company restaurants, develop strategies for execution and improvement; attend area/regional meetings to share up‑to‑date information, trend reporting and corrective actions.
• Teach, coach and update field leaders through communications addressing actions with solutions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in food science, microbiology or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Food Safety Certified Manager certification.
• Instructor/Proctor status preferred.
• Certified Professional Food Safety (CP‑FS) preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience within food safety, with at least 5 years supporting or overseeing restaurant food safety programs.
• Previous franchise operations support experience is a plus.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with restaurant personnel, field leaders, regulatory inspectors, supervisors and state directors.
• Proven management experience and leadership skills.
• Ability to handle and manage rapidly changing priorities with urgency.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills; ability to work independently.
• Results‑oriented leader with strong influencing skills and ability to overcome objections and communicate complex decisions.
• Strategic thinking and agility: ability to develop long‑term plans and outlooks to meet business needs while challenging the status quo.
• Stakeholder management: ability to work with key operation leaders and executive leaders to drive FSQA strategic priorities.
• Creative and business mindset: ability to add value to profit‑generating activities outside of FSQA.

Job Travel

Minimum 50‑75% mostly domestic.

Location

Remote; should be close to a large airport, if possible, in the eastern or central time zone (ATL, CLT, DFW, ORD, MCO, DTW, etc.).

Compensation

The typical pay range for this role is: Minimum: $88,000.00 – Maximum: $121,000.00. This range represents the pay range for all positions in the job grade within which the position falls. This job posting is not a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee; actual pay will consider location and experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Denny's Corporation is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of age, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, military or veteran's status, criminal background, or any other characteristic protected by Federal, State, or local law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should contact 864‑597‑8000. Please do not contact this number to check the status of your application. Denny's Corporation participates in E‑Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I‑9 to confirm work authorization. For more information on E‑Verify, please contact the DHS at 888‑897‑7781 or dhs.gov/e‑verify. Please note that we do not use this information to pre‑screen job applicants.