Food Safety Auditor - (USA)

LRQA; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

LRQA is seeking experienced Food Safety Auditors to support QA programs across the United States, focusing on QSR, hospitality, hotels, resorts, and retail food operations. This independent contractor role involves travel, onsite assessments, and delivering professional audit reports within agreed timelines.

Applicants should bring strong knowledge of HACCP, FDA Food Code, and local regulations, with CP-FS or CFSM credentials preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one of the following: Food Safety Manager or Regional Food Safety role within QSR, Hospitality, Hotels, Food Service or Retail.
• Food Safety Auditor experience with certification bodies, consultancy providers, restaurant chains, hospitality groups, or regulatory agencies.
• Public Health Inspector or equivalent regulatory experience.
• Quality Assurance or Food Safety leadership experience within multi-site food operations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct food safety audits within restaurant, hospitality, and food service environments.
• Evaluate compliance against client standards, regulatory requirements, HACCP programs, and food safety management systems.
• Assess operational controls relating to food hygiene, HACCP implementation, allergen management, temperature control, cleaning and sanitation, pest management, employee food safety practices, traceability and documentation.
• Deliver professional audit reports within agreed timelines.
• Provide objective observations and practical recommendations for improvement.
• Maintain auditor competence and participate in calibration and training activities.
• Support multi-site national and regional audit programs.

Skills

Auditing

Food safety knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Travel readiness

Job description

Food Safety Auditors – QSR & Hospitality (Independent Contractor)

Locations: Washington, Oregon, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio and Virginia

Join LRQA's Growing Retail & Hospitality Team

LRQA is seeking experienced Food Safety Auditors to support the delivery of food safety, operational compliance, brand standards, and hospitality audit programs across the United States.

We are expanding our auditor network to support leading global restaurant brands, hotel groups, food service operators, and hospitality clients. Successful candidates will conduct audits across Quick Service Restaurants (QSR), casual dining, hotels, resorts, food courts, and retail food operations.

This is an excellent opportunity for experienced Environmental Health, Food Safety, Quality Assurance, and Hospitality professionals who enjoy travel, stakeholder engagement, and delivering high-value assessments.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct food safety audits within restaurant, hospitality, and food service environments.
• Evaluate compliance against client standards, regulatory requirements, HACCP programs, and food safety management systems.
• Assess operational controls relating to:
  • Food hygiene
  • HACCP implementation
  • Allergen management
  • Temperature control
  • Cleaning and sanitation
  • Pest management
  • Employee food safety practices
  • Traceability and documentation
• Deliver professional audit reports within agreed timelines.
• Provide objective observations and practical recommendations for improvement.
• Maintain auditor competence and participate in calibration and training activities.
• Support multi-site national and regional audit programs.

Required Experience

Applicants should possess a minimum of one of the following:

• Food Safety Manager or Regional Food Safety role within QSR, Hospitality, Hotels, Food Service or Retail.
• Food Safety Auditor experience with certification bodies, consultancy providers, restaurant chains, hospitality groups, or regulatory agencies.
• Public Health Inspector or equivalent regulatory experience.
• Quality Assurance or Food Safety leadership experience within multi-site food operations.

Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include:

• Certified Professional in Food Safety (CP-FS).
• Certified Food Safety Manager.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • FDA Food Code
  • State and local food regulations
  • HACCP principles
  • Food safety risk assessment
  • Hospitality operational standards

Essential Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Professional report writing.
• Ability to engage confidently with restaurant managers, hotel leadership teams, and corporate stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and observation skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage audit schedules.
• Customer-focused approach with high levels of professionalism and integrity.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel within assigned states and neighbouring regions.
• Regular day travel with occasional overnight stays.
• Preference will be given to candidates located near major metropolitan areas within:
  • Washington
  • Oregon
  • California
  • Florida
  • Tennessee
  • Alabama
  • Georgia
  • Ohio
  • Virginia

At LRQA, we belive that as a leading Global Leading Assurance and Risk Management Service provider, our talented people are our risk management advantage.

We belive the best outcomes come from diverse perspectives, shared ambition and working together with integrity. That's how we buid a workplace where everyone can contribute, grow and thrive.

Guided by Vision and powered by Expertise, we're united by a shared purpose. If you're driven to make a difference, you'll belong here.