Risk Manager (12 month Maternity Contract)

KFC (UK); Woking; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fast-food chain is looking for a Risk Manager to ensure safety and compliance across their operations. The role involves managing third-party audits, leading a remote team, and collaborating with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate should have a degree in a safety or risk-related field and solid experience in food safety. Offering hybrid working and a range of benefits including pension contributions and mental health support.

Benefits

Hybrid working

Up to 11% company pension contributions

Bonus scheme

Private healthcare

25% off food

Qualifications

• Strong background in safety, risk, or compliance within food environments.
• Hands-on experience and understanding of operational settings.
• Ability to lead complex safety investigations.

Responsibilities

• Manage third-party audit relationships and drive meaningful outcomes.
• Lead a remote team, fostering a motivated culture.
• Strategize safety culture using data analysis.

Skills

Influencing at all levels

People leadership

Building relationships

Proactive problem-solving

Process management

Education

Degree in safety or risk-related area

Job description

Overview

WELCOME TO KFC. HOME OF THE REAL ONES. We sell the world's best chicken. Seriously. And we've done it since 1939, when the idea of crispy, original recipe chicken took Kentucky by storm. Now, we're proud to serve 1000+ communities across the UK and Ireland, bringing the grit, pride and iconic reputation that we started with, all those years ago. Across the Restaurant Support Centre (RSC), we come to work to be ourselves, and to make something of ourselves. We want to see our potential go that little bit further, as part of one of the world's most iconic brands. What's the gig? Well, you support our restaurants - and we'll support you every step of the way. Simple. Our doors are open - and they can take you anywhere.

All we ask is that you be you. Because that makes us, us. Sound good? Great. Let's find out about that job.

The Team

Our Operations teams are where the real magic happens - running over 250 company-owned restaurants across the UK and Ireland, supporting our teams on the ground, solving challenges and driving for better every day. It's hands-on, people-first work, packed with real growth, real impact, and plenty of fun along the way.

From the teams serving up the Colonel's Original Recipe to life, to the leaders driving customer excellence, food safety, risk and compliance, we are an army of bold, passionate, guest obsessed people, keeping KFC at its best.

About the role

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who's passionate about making a real difference - someone who wants to play a key role in shaping the future of risk and compliance strategy within a brand that's firmly embedded in UK culture.

We're looking for a Risk Manager who believes in doing the right thing, especially when it comes to keeping people safe. You'll build on our strong reputation for safety, influence stakeholders at all levels, and bring a practical mindset to technical expertise - turning risk insight into clear, actionable guidance that protects both our teams and guests.

The role includes field-based work (don't worry - we'll provide a company car) and plenty of collaboration across functions and franchise partners to keep risk front of mind across the business.

What you will spend your time doing

• Third-party audit management – own and lead the relationships with our third-party audit providers across food safety, halal compliance, and brand standards. We need someone who won't just manage these relationships - but will challenge and elevate them. You'll be expected to push our partners to deliver greater value, consistency, and insight, ensuring audits go beyond box-ticking and drive meaningful outcomes for the business. This role requires a proactive mindset, a sharp eye for detail, and the confidence to hold external partners to account - raising expectations and helping us get the most out of every engagement.
• Team leadership & remote management – Lead and manage a diverse team, including members working remotely across the country. We're looking for a great leader who can inspire, support, and develop their people regardless of location - fostering a connected, motivated, and high-performing team culture no matter where they are based.
• Safety culture & data analysis – take a strategic view of the business's safety culture. Use a broad range of data - including audit scores and incident reports - to drive continuous improvement and performance.
• Regulatory relationships – manage key relationships with our primary authority partners in environmental health and fire safety.
• Franchisee support – partner closely with franchisees to provide timely and effective communication on all safety-related matters, offering support and guidance as needed.
• Cross-functional collaboration – work with teams across quality assurance, operations, NPD, and construction to keep safety top of mind from concept through to execution.
• Subject matter expertise – serve as the go-to expert for food safety, health & safety, and fire safety - ensuring our standards not only meet but exceed legal requirements.
• FHRS performance management – lead the programme to ensure all restaurants perform strongly against the food hygiene rating system (FHRS), maintaining our high standards across the board.

What we would love from you

About you

• Someone who's motivated by making a real impact - confident in influencing at all levels of the organisation, from restaurant teams to senior leadership.
• A strong, inclusive leader who knows how to bring out the best in their team - providing clear direction, support, and development while fostering a positive, high-performing culture.
• Skilled at building and maintaining trusted relationships across a wide range of stakeholders, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively.
• Able to balance proactive, strategic thinking with responsive, day-to-day problem solving - knowing when to plan ahead and when to pivot.
• Brings strong process management skills, with the ability to simplify complexity, create clarity, and drive consistency across multiple projects and priorities.

Experience

• A degree (or working towards one) in a safety or risk-related area - like Environmental Health or Risk Management - is essential.
• Solid background and hands-on experience in safety, risk, or compliance within a food environment - with a strong understanding of how to apply that knowledge in fast-paced, operational settings.
• Background in the food service or hospitality industry would be a big plus.
• Confident leading complex investigations into safety incidents and accidents, with a strong focus on identifying root causes and driving improvement.
• Skilled at working with external partners and stakeholders - able to build strong relationships and hold others accountable when needed.

What’s in it for you

We offer benefits that make your life that little bit easier, because we know the juggle is real.

From flexible, hybrid working to Fri-Yay early finishes and Live Well Days, we've created a package that supports the real you, in and out of work.

You'll get:

• Hybrid working from our Woking RSC (just 24 mins from London). We value our F2F collaboration time; this role is required in Woking Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• Up to 11% company pension contributions
• Fri-Yay finishes at 1pm every Friday
• 25 days' holiday (plus bank hols)
• 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
• Study support, income protection, life cover & more
• And yes-25% off the chicken

Because real ones deserve real rewards.

The road to becoming a real one

1. Apply (Go on... do it) - send us your CV and answer a couple of app questions.
2. Intro call with our Talent Team
3. Virtual call with Hiring Manager + Key Stakeholder
4. F2F interview & Task at our HQ, Home of The Real Ones in Woking

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.

Ready?

We hope so, if you're ready to be part of our community, now's the time to apply.

Worried you aren't ticking all the boxes? Don't - we'd still love to hear from you.

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