Food Quality Operations Lead

Chick-fil-A; Saint Joseph (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Chick-fil-A in Saint Joseph, MO seeks an Assistant Director of Food Quality to lead daily execution and continuous improvement of our food quality standards across all Back of House operations. You will coach shift leaders, reinforce SOPs, and partner with BOH Directors to drive real‑time improvements while safeguarding guest experience.

This role is hands‑on and operational, with focus on training, accountability, and data‑driven quality scores (ERQA, taste, accuracy).

Responsibilities

• Own daily food quality performance across all menu items and production stations.
• Conduct routine quality checks for taste, appearance, portioning, and hold-time compliance.
• Ensure proper execution of LEAN systems (AHA, Cool‑Down Chicken, secondary holding, etc.).
• Address quality misses immediately through coaching, correction, and retraining.
• Reinforce Chick-fil-A food quality standards through shift presence and observation.
• Support training validation for new hires and developing team members.
• Partner with the Director of Training and BOH Leaders to close quality skill gaps.
• Ensure recipe adherence, build accuracy, and proper execution of SOPs.
• Coach BOH Shift Leaders and Area Captains on food quality ownership.
• Model calm, precise, and disciplined execution during peak periods.
• Partner with BOH Directors to identify trends and root causes of quality issues.
• Maintain clear communication with FOH leaders regarding quality feedback.
• Support tracking and improvement of Food Quality scores.
• Monitor waste related to quality breakdowns and execution errors.
• Assist in documentation related to ERQA quality components and internal audits.
• Help prepare the BOH team for evaluations by maintaining daily readiness.
• Champion pride in craftsmanship and excellence in execution.
• Reinforce the mindset that food quality is a form of hospitality.
• Protect brand trust by never compromising standards for speed or convenience.

Job description

The Assistant Director of Food Quality is responsible for the daily execution, consistency, and improvement of food quality standards across all Back of House operations. This role ensures every product served meets Chick-fil-A standards for taste, appearance, accuracy, and freshness—every shift, every day.

This position is highly day-to-day and operational, partnering closely with BOH leaders to coach, correct, and reinforce quality behaviors in real time while supporting long-term system improvement led by BOH Directors.

Primary Purpose

Ensure consistent execution of food quality standards through hands-on leadership, training reinforcement, and disciplined follow-through—protecting the guest experience and the brand.

Who This Role Reports To

• Director of BOH Leadership & Maintenance
• Director of BOH Food Safety & Food Quality

This dual reporting structure ensures food quality execution aligns with both daily operational leadership and long-term food systems and standards.

Key Expectations

Daily Food Quality Execution

• Own daily food quality performance across all menu items and production stations.
• Conduct routine quality checks for taste, appearance, portioning, and hold-time compliance.
• Ensure proper execution of LEAN systems (AHA, Cool-Down Chicken, secondary holding, etc.).
• Address quality misses immediately through coaching, correction, and retraining.

Standards, Systems & Training Reinforcement

• Reinforce Chick-fil-A food quality standards through shift presence and observation.
• Support training validation for new hires and developing team members.
• Partner with the Director of Training and BOH Leaders to close quality skill gaps.
• Ensure recipe adherence, build accuracy, and proper execution of SOPs.

Leadership Support & Accountability

• Coach BOH Shift Leaders and Area Captains on food quality ownership.
• Model calm, precise, and disciplined execution during peak periods.
• Partner with BOH Directors to identify trends and root causes of quality issues.
• Maintain clear communication with FOH leaders regarding quality feedback.

Food Quality Metrics & Documentation

• Support tracking and improvement of Food Quality scores.
• Monitor waste related to quality breakdowns and execution errors.
• Assist in documentation related to ERQA quality components and internal audits.
• Help prepare the BOH team for evaluations by maintaining daily readiness.

Culture & Stewardship

• Champion pride in craftsmanship and excellence in execution.
• Reinforce the mindset that food quality is a form of hospitality.
• Protect brand trust by never compromising standards for speed or convenience.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Food Quality Score: 96% or above
• ERQA Quality Components
• Taste CEM – 78% or above
• Accuracy CEM – 96% or above
• Recipe and Pathway accuracy and compliance

Food Quality Accountability Cadence

• Daily: Shift-based quality walks and immediate coaching
• Weekly: Trend review with BOH Directors and Area Captains
• Monthly: Training reinforcement and system adjustments
• Quarterly: Quality readiness assessments and improvement planning

Leadership Competencies

• Detail-oriented with strong execution discipline
• Calm, consistent, and coachable leader
• High standards with relational leadership
• Strong communicator across BOH and FOH
• Trusted steward of the guest experience

Working at a Chick-fil-A® restaurant is more than a job – it’s an opportunity for teamwork and leadership development in a positive, people-focused environment. Most Chick-fil-A restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent, franchised Operators who invest in the future of their Team Members and give back to their communities.