Vice President of Food Safety Quality Assurance

Vice President of Food Safety & Quality Assurance

We’re hiring! AFCFC is seeking a highly motivated Vice President of Food Safety & Quality Assurance to join our team!

About Us

Since 1986, we’ve been redefining fresh and convenient dining as North America’s largest franchisor of supermarket-based food service counters featuring sushi and other authentic Asian-inspired cuisine. Our well-loved brands, ZENSHI Handcrafted Sushi and Wild Blue Sushi, are trusted names that bring flavor and freshness to communities every day.

With thousands of locations across the U.S. and Canada, we’ve built our reputation on quality, consistency, and innovation. Every dish we serve is freshly prepared with premium ingredients carefully packaged and designed for today’s on-the-go lifestyle.

As the industry leader, we’re passionate about delivering the perfect balance of taste, quality, and convenience. But what truly sets us apart is our people, the dedicated teams who bring our mission to life each day.

If you’re looking to grow with a company that values innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement, we invite you to join us and shape the future of fresh dining.

About the Role

The Vice President of Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) plays a critical leadership role in ensuring that AFC maintains the highest standards of food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. This role is responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Food Safety Management System (FSMS) across all AFC operations and franchisees. The VP of FSQA ensures alignment with U.S. federal, state, and local regulations, Wonderfield Group standards, and global best practices. By providing leadership, training, and governance, the role ensures that AFC team members and franchisees are fully equipped to deliver safe, high-quality products that protect our customers and strengthen our brand reputation.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

1. Food Safety Management & Compliance

• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of the AFC Food Safety Management System (FSMS).
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements (FDA, USDA, state health departments) and Wonderfield Group standards.
• Oversee internal and external audits, ensuring timely corrective actions and continuous compliance.

2. Franchisee Engagement & Support

• Develop programs, training, and resources to ensure franchisees fully understand and comply with FSMS requirements.
• Conduct risk-based assessments of franchisee operations and implement corrective action plans where needed.
• Act as a trusted partner and advisor to franchisees on food safety, quality, and regulatory issues.

3. Risk Management & Reporting

• Maintain a comprehensive risk and compliance register for food safety and quality.
• Provide regular reporting to the AFC President & CEO and Wonderfield Group on compliance status, key risks, and improvement initiatives.
• Oversee incident management, recalls, and corrective action planning in coordination with Operations and Legal.

4. Alignment with Wonderfield Group Standards

• Ensure AFC’s FSMS is consistent with Wonderfield Group frameworks and best practices.
• Collaborate with Group and divisional FSQA leaders to share learnings, benchmark performance, and adopt innovations.
• Support group-wide ESG and sustainability initiatives related to food quality, responsible sourcing, and waste reduction.

5. Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing FSQA team across AFC corporate and field operations.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Build succession pipelines and enhance technical expertise within the FSQA function.

6. Continuous Improvement & Best Practices

• Drive innovation in food safety and quality systems, leveraging technology and data to improve performance.
• Monitor industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging risks to keep AFC at the forefront of food safety.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, Legal, Franchise Operations) to ensure food safety and quality are embedded in business decisions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Public Health, Food Safety, or related field (Master’s degree or higher preferred).
• 15 years of progressive experience in food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance, including 7 years in a senior leadership role, preferably within multi-unit retail, franchise, or foodservice environments.
• In-depth knowledge of U.S. federal, state, and local food safety regulations, including FDA, USDA, FSMA, and HACCP principles.
• Demonstrated success in designing and managing a comprehensive Food Safety Management System (FSMS).
• Proven experience conducting and managing internal/external audits, inspections, recalls, and incident investigations.
• HACCP Certification required; REHS/RS or CP-FS strongly preferred.
• ServSafe Manager Certification (or ability to obtain).
• Experience with grocery retailers, commissaries, or military bases is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software and data analysis.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to travel 25–40% nationwide.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Extensive knowledge of the principles, procedures, and best practices in the industry.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proven business acumen, demonstrated ability to assess complex business challenges, develop actionable strategies, and deliver results.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

What’s On the Menu for You? (Compensation & Benefits)

We don’t just serve fresh sushi, we serve fresh opportunities!

Here’s a taste of what you can expect:

• Competitive Pay Package (see salary range listed)
• Annual Bonus Opportunity (Discretionary) – up to 10% of base salary
• Competitive Health & Wellness Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance -100% covered by AFC for you and all eligible dependents. Yes, seriously!)
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays including a Floating Holiday to celebrate your birthday
• Special Employee Anniversary Milestone Gift
• Other Employee Discounts
• Employee Referral Bonus
• A friendly & positive work culture which inspires collaboration, recognizes accomplishments, and fosters continuous growth, creating not just a workplace, but a community where people truly thrive.

Location: On-site (Torrance, CA)

Schedule: Monday -Friday (8:00am-5:00pm)

#AFCreally

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $153,000.00 - $177,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Risk management: 7 years (Required)
• Food management: 7 years (Preferred)
• Senior leadership: 7 years (Required)
• Quality assurance: 7 years (Required)
• Food safety: 7 years (Required)
• FDA regulations: 7 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Torrance, CA 90503 (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $153,000 - $177,000