European Franchise Capability and Compliance Lead

KFC; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension scheme (up to 11%)

Wellbeing days

Performance bonus

Private healthcare

Parental leave support

Life insurance

Employee discounts (25% off chicken)

Job summary

KFC, part of Yum! Brands, seeks an European Franchise Capability & Compliance Lead to strengthen our brand across Europe through supplier and product FSQA standards. Based in Woking, this permanent, full-time role steers risk-based compliance and partner collaboration across markets.

You will travel regionally, shape long-term FSQA strategy, and build systems to improve visibility of suppliers and products. Hybrid work is available with strong pension and health benefits.

Qualifications

• Around 10+ years of experience in food safety, quality assurance, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP and quality management systems, including audit guidelines.
• Proven track record leading change and delivering complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Build franchise capability across Europe by translating minimum requirements into market standards.
• Shape and deliver long-term strategy for supplier FSQA and franchise capability.
• Create systems and tools giving visibility of suppliers, products and risks.
• Maintain compliance overview, identify gaps and implement mitigation plans.
• Partner with franchisees and cross-functional teams, travel regularly to markets.
• Monitor and report on supplier approvals, audits, and specs.

Skills

Franchise management

Stakeholder collaboration

Auditing

Risk analysis

English fluency

Travel readiness

Education

Agronomist/food-related degree

University degree in related field

Job description

As European Franchise Capability & Compliance Lead, you will help protect and strengthen our brands across Europe markets lead by master franchises by building franchise partner capability in supplier and product food safety and quality assurance. You will set clear standards, turn risk insights into practical action, and build trusted partnerships that keep our markets compliant, resilient and crisis-ready.

Yum! Brands is home to iconic restaurant brands including KFC, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill, with more than 44,000 restaurants across 151 countries and territories. Together with our franchise partners, we are building the world’s most loved, trusted and connected restaurant brands powered by an unrivalled culture where smart decisions, courageous ambition and leading with heart help everyone bring their best.

Location: Woking, UK

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Responsibilities:

• Build franchise capability across Europe by translating Yum! minimum requirements into practical, market‑ready standards for supplier and product food safety, quality assurance and crisis management.
• Shape and deliver the long‑term strategy for supplier FSQA (Food Safety & Quality Assurance) and franchise FSQA capability and resourcing across the region.
• Create smarter ways of working, systems and tools that give teams clear visibility of suppliers, products and emerging risks in every market.
• Maintain a strong compliance overview, identify gaps early and partner with markets to put focused, effective mitigation plans in place.
• Be a trusted partner to franchisees and cross‑functional teams, responding to evolving needs and travelling regularly to markets and suppliers.
• Monitor and report on compliance, including supplier and product approvals, audit requirements, and specifications in TV.

What we are looking for:

• Around 10 years of relevant experience in food safety, quality assurance or a related field, supported by an agronomist, food‑related, or similar university degree.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and quality management systems, including Yum! and GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) audit guidelines, food legislation and food manufacturing processes.
• A proven track record of leading change and delivering complex projects, with the strategic and analytical thinking to anticipate risk and turn insight into action.
• An influential, collaborative communication style that builds trust with franchise partners, suppliers, senior leaders and global teams.
• Commercially minded, solution‑oriented and fluent in written and spoken English.
• Flexibility to travel around once to twice a month in the region.

You’ll get:

• Hybrid working from our Woking RSC (just 24 mins from London)
• Up to 11% company pension contributions
• 5 Live Well Days a year, just for you
• Bonus scheme linked to company & personal performance
• Private healthcare, Digital GP access & mental health coaching
• Enhanced parental leave and flexible return options
• Income protection, life cover & more
• And yes—25% off the chicken!

KFC FOR EVERYONE:

Whoever you are and wherever you’re from, KFC is a place where you can bring the real you to work.

Our promise is this: every person who applies to a role at KFC, regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, ability, religion or sexual orientation, will have an equal opportunity to work here. We don’t just welcome, we encourage applications from underrepresented groups from all industries.

If you’d like any additional support with your application, have a disability or condition that may affect your performance during the recruitment process, or have any other requirements — just let us know. We’ll be there to help you be the real you.