This position will exemplify Our Purpose, Vision, and Guiding Principles.  Provides strategic/tactical leadership in the development/implementation of programs, policies, procedures and initiatives in the areas of food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, environmental health & safety. Responsible for mentoring company/franchisees in the areas of vendor reviews, product module reviews, minimizing financial losses related to accidents and injuries.  Identify opportunities to improve operational performance, minimize liabilities, ensure compliance with food safety & environmental legislation while protecting our most asset, our Denny’s name and people.  

Essential Functions (Key Responsibilities)  

• Provide strategic guidance on food safety procedures and policies. Ensure validation compliance to all safety programs and development of a true safety and compliance culture.   

• Train and educate on all food safety programs, discuss all Area/Regional results and performance trends. Meeting with and counseling franchisees/company leaders and reporting. Create a positive, competitive atmosphere to change behaviors and improve results. Provide appropriate operational support/follow-up to ensure opportunities for improvement are identified and corrected.   

• Work with outside agencies (e.g., federal, state and local law enforcement, etc.) as necessary. The individual will be a liaison working with Franchisees/Company Field Leaders, Learning & Development, Operations Excellence, and with other teammates to develop and implement E-Learning in Food Safety & Safety Modules/Programs. Advise company/franchise Operations regarding monitoring/maintaining programs for compliance with state, federal and OSHA requirements. Counsel Franchisees/company leaders to work with Risk Management, Operations and Health Departments regarding communicable diseases, outbreaks, and local/state protocols. Coach, teach and support leaders on all levels regarding brand standards, regulatory rules/regulations, safety and operating procedures.   

• Develop key escalation processes related to trending of hotline calls/complaints (products, equipment, regulatory & OSHA requirements) and requests from the field. Follow up and gather information/data on calls from Operations, 3rd party auditing vendors, health departments, guests and work as a liaison, to ensure brand Food Safety/HACCP standards are met in all restaurants. Attain information/facts needed regarding allegations of foodborne illnesses, safety, issues/trends in restaurants and follow-up with Franchisees/Company Operations as appropriate. Advise all investigations and resolutions comply with applicable federal, state and local laws, as well as company policies. Investigate and assist with administrative hearings & fines related to restaurant.   

• Work with Operations and an appropriate vendor regarding reported pest activity via 3rd party audit, Guest Complaints, and Health Inspections. Oversee the compliance of Cook’s/Server’s (Food Chart and Quick Reference) guides sent to the restaurants. Oversee the compliance of key areas of the business such as Cook and Server Prep/Pull Charts, Manager Logbook and Walk Through/Temperature Book annually, review with OBAC/Franchisees/Company Leaders.  

•  Develop guidelines for Brand Standards/HACCP manual, Menu HACCP for all new products. Support Core Menu updates/changes, Module resources, recipe cards and assist with Product Development for food safety and brand standards compliance. Develop/Revise Food Safety Audit form and Food Safety Resource Guide for traditional and non-traditional restaurants.  

• Counsel franchisees in completing the food safety section of plan reviews for permitting purposes. Contact for Restaurant Food Safety & EHS. Actively participate on Operational BAC committees. Implement the current FDA Food Code to meet or exceed Denny’s Brand Standards.  

• Collaborate with cross functional departments to ensure food safety, cleanliness, environmental health & safety and brand standards are in place that meet or exceed regulatory rules and regulations. Analyze behaviors and trends in company restaurants and develop strategies for execution and improvement. Attend area/regional meetings to share up-to-date information, trend reporting, results and delineate corrective actions needed as a team for improvements. Teach/coach/update field leaders (DMs/FBCs/RDFOs) through communications addressing actions with solutions.   

• Other duties as assigned  

Education and Experience Requirements  

Education:  

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, microbiology or a related field. Master’s degree preferred. Food Safety Certified Manager certification.  Instructor/Proctor status preferred. Certified Professional Food Safety (CP-FS) preferred.  

Experience:  

• Minimum experience 10 years’ experience within food safety, minimally 5 years supporting/overseeing restaurant food safety programs  

• Previous franchise operations support experience a plus.  

Required Knowledge and Skills  

• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with restaurant personnel/field leaders/regulatory inspectors/supervisors/state directors.  

• Proven management experience and leadership skills.   

• Ability to handle/manage rapidly changing priorities in a changing environment with a sense of urgency. Excellent planning/organizational skills with the ability to work independently.  

• Results oriented leader that possesses strong influencing skills and proven ability to overcome objections and communicate complex/controversial decisions.   

• Strategic thinking and agility: Ability to develop long term plans and outlooks to meet business needs and demands while also challenging status quo  

• Stakeholder management: Ability to work with key operation leaders and executive leaders to drive FSQA strategic priorities  

• Creative and business mindset: Able to drive business results outside of FSQA by adding value to profit generating activities  

Job Travel: minimum 50-75% mostly domestic  

Location: Remote should be close to large airport, if possible, in the eastern or central time zone (ATL, CLT, DFW, ORD, MCO, DTW etc.)