Senior Remote Food Safety Technical Account Manager

LRQA; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

LRQA is seeking an experienced Lead Auditor to serve as the principal liaison between LRQA and the client for the interpretation and application of technical expectations across global QSR and food service assurance programmes. Based near Lansing, Michigan, you will guide cross-country audits, ensure compliance with global food safety standards, and drive continual improvement in service delivery.

You will manage audits across restaurant and franchise networks, mentor auditors, review reports,

Qualifications

• BSc from a recognised university in food safety, environmental health, or another science-based discipline.
• Lead Auditor qualification in QMS or FSMS.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in food safety, quality assurance, compliance, auditing, or risk management, with substantial experience in QSR, restaurant, or food service operations.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience managing strategic customer relationships or complex global programmes.
• Experience supporting multi-site and multinational QSR, restaurant, food service, hospitality, or retail food environments, including franchisee or distributed operating models.
• Practical experience in supplier assurance or food manufacturing, with an understanding of upstream risks and their potential impact on QSR operations.
• Experience in audit programme governance and performance management, including technical review and corrective action process management.
• Proven customer-centric approach that supports business growth or improved efficiency.
• Strong knowledge of global food safety, quality, hygiene, and regulatory requirements applicable to QSR, restaurant, food service, and ready-to-eat food operations.
• Knowledge of US FDA Food Code, state/local regulations, FSMA requirements, and related HACCP principles.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the client’s primary technical contact, proactively managing the named account relationship and overseeing adherence to agreed technical and contractual requirements in day-to-day delivery.
• Develop understanding of the client's QSR and food service operating model, objectives, franchisee network, risks, and compliance across markets.
• Lead the implementation and ongoing technical management of multi-country QSR and food service assurance programmes.
• Ensure consistent programme execution across regions, business units, and franchisee networks.
• Support onboarding of new global resources through auditor training, calibration, and assessment processes.
• Perform auditor assessments and shadow audits.
• Conduct technical reviews of reports and oversee auditor capability and client expectations.
• Manage field-based technical queries and client inquiries, including RCA and corrective actions.
• Develop and implement second-party programme governance and reporting tools.
• Maintain knowledge of supplier assurance requirements and upstream food safety risks.
• Coordinate with supply chain or manufacturing specialists when required.
• Lead benchmarking activities to support programme review and continual improvement.
• Identify changes to audit frameworks to improve programme design and client value.
• Build relationships with key client decision-makers and act as an extension of the client’s technical team.
• Collaborate with LRQA teams to ensure services meet KPIs.

Skills

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Relationship building

Problem solving

Education

BSc in food safety

Lead Auditor qualification

Job description

LRQA is seeking an experienced Lead Auditor to serve as the principal liaison between LRQA and the client for the interpretation and application of technical expectations across global QSR and food service assurance programmes. Based near Lansing, Michigan, you will guide cross-country audits, ensure compliance with global food safety standards, and drive continual improvement in service delivery.

You will manage audits across restaurant and franchise networks, mentor auditors, review reports,