SR. DIRECTOR, QUALITY ASSURANCE

El Pollo Loco•Costa Mesa, CA

About The Position

The Senior Director, Quality Assurance owns El Pollo Loco’s enterprise quality assurance function, combining vendor-level quality assurance and regulatory food safety compliance under one point of accountability. The role oversees the integrity of supply-chain quality systems, from supplier and co-manufacturer qualification to compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, and serves as the primary quality and food safety resource for the franchise system. The position directs quality programs across the poultry portfolio, including fresh leg quarters and value-added further-processed chicken items. It leads vendor qualification, audits, scorecards, corrective actions, product specifications, and approval of suppliers, ingredients, and formulations. The role also provides senior accountability for food safety regulatory compliance, agency relationships, audits, crisis management, withdrawals, and recalls. The Senior Director builds and develops a quality assurance organization covering vendor quality and regulatory food safety, supports franchisees through training and technical guidance, and represents Quality Assurance in cross-functional and executive forums. The position reports to the SVP, Supply Chain & Quality Assurance. Weekend work, extended schedules, and travel within Southern California and to out-of-state vendor, distribution, and restaurant locations may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Microbiology, or a related field required.
At least 12 years of progressive quality assurance and food safety experience.
Substantial direct experience in poultry and value-added or further-processed chicken products.
Direct experience working with state and federal regulatory agencies, including FDA, USDA, and state health departments, on compliance, inspections, or enforcement matters.
Prior experience directly managing and developing a quality assurance team.
Valid driver’s license.
HACCP certification.
Demonstrated ability to build, manage, and develop high-performing quality assurance teams, including coaching and succession planning.
Deep working knowledge of value-added and further-processed chicken manufacturing, co-manufacturer oversight, specification management, and shelf-life validation.
Ability to support and train franchisees on quality and food safety standards.
Ability to execute strategic initiatives and make decisive, fact-based decisions under pressure.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, planning, and prioritization skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
Ability to communicate effectively with vendors, regulators, franchisees, and internal business partners.
Ability to read, write, and interpret complex regulatory reports, contracts, and correspondence.
Ability to exercise independent judgment on matters carrying significant risk and consequence for the company.
Ability to work weekends and extended work schedules as needed.
Willingness and ability to travel locally within Southern California and out of state to vendor, distribution, and restaurant locations by car or airplane.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification.

Responsibilities

Direct vendor and supplier quality assurance programs across the poultry portfolio, ensuring specification integrity, ingredient consistency, and product quality throughout the supply chain.
Lead vendor qualification, audits, scorecarding, and corrective-action programs; partner with Procurement and Distribution to address quality holds, non-conformances, and supplier performance issues.
Own quality specifications for co-manufactured and further-processed chicken products, validating manufacturing controls, shelf-life, and food safety design with processors before system-wide rollout.
Evaluate and approve new vendors, ingredients, and product formulations against brand quality standards and regulatory requirements.
Oversee compliance with FDA, USDA, FSMA, HACCP, GFSI, and state and local health department requirements across operating jurisdictions.
Build and maintain working relationships with state and federal regulatory agencies; lead responses to inquiries, inspections, and enforcement actions.
Own crisis management, product withdrawal, and recall protocols, including activation of the Level 3 Withdrawal Process, in partnership with executive leadership and legal counsel as needed.
Direct internal and third-party food safety audit programs covering restaurants, distribution centers, and manufacturing partners.
Build, lead, and develop a high-performing QA organization across vendor quality and regulatory food safety; set performance expectations, coaching plans, and succession pipelines for direct reports.
Support the franchise system by delivering training, technical guidance, and responsive assistance on quality and food safety matters.
Represent Quality Assurance in cross-functional and executive leadership forums, translating vendor and regulatory risks into actionable guidance for Operations and senior leadership.
Perform other duties as assigned by the SVP, Supply Chain & Quality Assurance.