Food Safety and Quality Assurance Specialist | Major Japanese Restaurant Chain

A major Japanese restaurant chain located in New York, NY is seeking a Food Safety and Quality Assurance Specialist to lead food safety and quality assurance initiatives.

This position will be responsible for a wide range of FSQA functions for the company’s U.S. operations, including maintaining food safety and quality standards, ensuring regulatory compliance, supporting audits, managing suppliers, overseeing allergen control, and handling recalls and customer complaints.

The selected candidate will also serve as a key liaison with the company’s headquarters in Japan, reporting on compliance and quality management across U.S. restaurants and facilities. This role will work closely with on-site management teams to support safe, stable, and compliant restaurant operations.

We welcome candidates who can apply their food safety expertise to identify operational challenges, manage risks, improve quality, and proactively lead employee training and process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Manage and support food safety and quality assurance operations
• Coordinate and report on FSQA-related matters with the company’s headquarters in Japan
• Review compliance with corporate guidelines at U.S. restaurants and facilities
• Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, state, and local food safety regulations
• Support health department inspections, public health authority communications, and audit responses
• Provide guidance to on-site management teams regarding food safety and risk management
• Evaluate raw material suppliers, conduct supplier audits, and manage corrective actions
• Oversee the quality and safety of raw materials, takeout products, and private-label products
• Manage cold chain controls and temperature control protocols
• Implement allergen control, recordkeeping, and employee training programs
• Investigate food safety-related complaints, conduct root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions
• Support mock recalls and actual recall responses
• Design and conduct regular audits of production lines, kitchens, and restaurant locations
• Review temperature logs, equipment sanitation, and employee hygiene practices
• Conduct sanitation and food safety training for employees and supervisors
• Perform other duties related to food safety, quality assurance, and restaurant operations

Requirements

• 3+ years of hands-on experience in a restaurant facility or food manufacturing environment
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English
• Practical experience in food safety, quality assurance, and sanitation management
• Knowledge of or experience with food safety regulations, including FDA, USDA, and local health department requirements
• Knowledge of food safety audits, sanitation management, GMP, and allergen control
• Ability to remain calm, assess situations, and respond appropriately when food safety issues arise
• Ability to provide guidance and improvement recommendations to on-site staff and management teams
• Ability to travel as needed
  • Local travel may occur occasionally
  • Domestic and international travel may occur as needed
• Valid work authorization in the United States

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, microbiology, biology, chemistry, public health, or a related field
• CFPM certification
• HACCP certification
• PCQI certification
• Knowledge of or experience with GFSI-recognized schemes such as SQF or BRC
• Experience managing food safety audits
• Experience with recall response, root cause analysis, and product complaint handling
• Experience working in restaurants, multi-unit food service operations, or commercial kitchens
• Quality control or quality assurance experience in a food manufacturing or food production environment
• Experience with employee training, on-site coaching, and team management
• Japanese language skills

Keywords
①Food Safety / Quality Assurance
②HACCP / PCQI / CFPM
③FDA / USDA / Food Safety Audit