Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager

SSP America is a global leader in the travel dining sector, known for delivering authentic and high-quality restaurant experiences in airports and other travel locations. With a strong commitment to providing a taste of place, SSP America operates a diverse portfolio of food and beverage brands that reflect local culture and flavors. Our mission is to bring innovative, flavorful dining options to travelers, ensuring convenience, safety, and satisfaction in every meal. Located at Chicago’s MDW Airport, our team is passionate about connecting people through food and creating memorable dining moments for millions of travelers each year. SSP America values growth and development, offering a dynamic work environment with ample opportunities for career advancement in a fast-evolving industry.

We are currently seeking a dedicated Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager to join our team. This is a full-time position offering a competitive salary ranging from $90,000 to $110,000 per year, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans, paid time off, a 401K plan with company match, and an employee assistance program. Located at the busy MDW Airport, this role places you at the heart of a high-performance operation where food safety is paramount.

As the Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager, you will play a critical role in leading all food safety initiatives across airport operations. You will work closely with commissary and restaurant teams to reinforce regulatory compliance and foster a culture of safety and quality excellence. Your leadership will be instrumental in identifying and resolving audit findings, implementing corrective actions, and ensuring that every dish meets stringent safety standards while maintaining exceptional quality. This role involves limited travel within the U.S. and Canada, providing a unique opportunity to influence food safety practices across multiple locations.

In this role, you will be the primary contact for all food safety inquiries, providing expert guidance on inspection results, audit findings, and risk assessments. You will collaborate closely with senior operations management to ensure compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), FDA Food Code, and internal company policies. Your expertise will contribute to reviewing audits, sanitation inspections, and quality reports, proactively identifying potential risks and recommending actionable improvements.

Developing and delivering HACCP plans that align with regulatory requirements and operational processes will be a significant part of your responsibilities. You will also oversee environmental monitoring efforts, analyzing microbial trends to preemptively address food safety hazards. Conducting annual Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) reviews and delivering targeted training on food safety and allergen management at the local level will help promote continuous improvement and staff competency.

Building strong communication channels with internal teams, regulatory bodies, suppliers, and other stakeholders will be essential to maintaining consistent food safety performance. You will assist with mock recalls and maintain production kitchen documentation to ensure traceability and readiness for regulatory audits.

This role is ideal for professionals who are passionate about food safety and quality within a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. At SSP America, you will join a collaborative and inclusive team dedicated to excellence, innovation, and the highest standards of food safety. We offer a supportive workplace where your expertise will drive meaningful impact and help shape the future of airport dining experiences.