Lead Analyst, FSQA Produce

Chipotle•Newport, RI

3d•$99,000 - $138,000

About The Position

The Lead Analyst, Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Produce manages food safety and quality assurance for assigned produce categories. The position conducts hazard analyses and risk assessments, performs on-site FSQA audits of new and existing suppliers or facilities, and supports preventive controls, supplier oversight, data-driven decision-making, and rigorous standards throughout the supply chain. It also supports management of produce specifications and related documentation, including the Quality Inspection Program and Supplier Manual. The Lead Analyst manages the Food Quality Reporting System (FQRS), responds to restaurant and customer questions about quality and food safety, investigates incidents, and researches best practices. The role works with internal teams and supply-chain partners to improve food safety and quality, and leads cross-functional projects and continuous-improvement initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) from a four-year college or university.
At least five years of experience in Food Safety and Quality Assurance, microbiology, food science, or a similar field.
Training, certification, and experience conducting supplier and distribution center assessments.
Strong understanding of food science principles, sensory analysis, and food preparation techniques.
Ability to execute food research and quality-assurance projects.
Ability to travel and drive a personal vehicle to restaurants, distribution centers, and suppliers.
Self-starter familiar with major produce suppliers and distribution centers in the United States.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to use a Mac or PC and software such as Excel, Word, and Outlook, as well as other software needed for data entry and reporting.
Availability some nights and weekends for on-call or emergency situations.

Nice To Haves

Existing relationships with industry professionals and professional groups such as LGMA.

Responsibilities

Manage assigned food and ingredient categories, including hazard analyses, risk assessments, on-site FSQA audits, and Quality Inspection Programs (QIPs).
Support quality-improvement programs with vendors, Operations, Training, and Supply Chain teams.
Work with restaurants, customer service, distributors, and suppliers to investigate potential food-safety and quality issues; obtain documents and technical data, identify root causes, and implement lasting corrective actions.
Collect, analyze, and act on data from the food quality reporting system and restaurant tests; write reports and summarize findings.
Keep specifications current by collecting and analyzing data and working with other category owners on improvement projects.
Lead cross-functional projects by managing timelines and deliverables.
Present findings and recommendations to leadership to drive continuous improvement.
Lead the maintenance and reporting of supplier scorecards to internal and external stakeholders.
Use historical data and weather patterns to identify potential food-safety and quality issues proactively, and engage suppliers and distribution centers to mitigate them with actionable data.
Assist with report generation, KPI creation, and team presentations.
Be available some nights and weekends for on-call or emergency situations.