Food Safety

Food Safety & Quality Assurance Lead, APAC Job Description Who is Taco Bell? Taco Bell was born and raised in California and has been around since 1962. We went from selling everyone’s favourite Crunchy Tacos on the West Coast to a global brand with 8,200+ restaurants, 350 franchise organizations that serve 42+ million fans each week around the globe. That’s right… Taco Bell has 8,200+ restaurants in over 32 countries around the world, with offices in the U.S., Canada, UK, India, Australia, and Singapore. And we don’t plan to stop there. We’re not only the largest Mexican‑inspired quick service brand (QSR) in the world, we’re also part of the biggest restaurant group in the world: Yum Brands. Much of our fan love and authentic connection with our communities are rooted in being rebels with a cause. From ensuring we use high quality, sustainable ingredients to elevating restaurant technology in ways that haven’t been done before… we will continue to be inclusive, bold, challenge the status quo and push industry boundaries. We’re a company that celebrates and advocates for different, has bold self‑expression, strives for a better future, and brings fun while we’re at it. We fuel our culture with real people who bring unique experiences. We inspire and enable our teams and the world to Live Más. At Taco Bell, we’re Cultural Rebels. Want to join in on the passion‑fueled fun? Learn more about the role below. About the Role: The Quality Assurance Lead, APAC will pave the future of Taco Bell’s Quality Assurance strategy across our Asia Pacific (APAC) region. This person is responsible for ensuring that all Taco Bell restaurants, suppliers, and products across the Asia Pacific region consistently meet the brand’s standards of food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. The role partners closely with our Franchise Partners and cross functions including Food Innovation, Supply Chain, Operations, and external suppliers to safeguard the brand, deliver on customer expectations, and support business growth in diverse APAC markets. Responsibilities Develop and execute Taco Bell’s APAC QA strategy aligned with Yum Brands’ global vision. Set and monitor QA KPIs across all APAC markets to ensure consistent food quality delivery. Influence franchise leadership and QA teams on governance and capability building. Provide QA insights to support business growth, market entry, and innovation initiatives in APAC. Build strong relationships with suppliers and regulatory bodies to ensure proactive quality governance. Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of food safety and quality programs across APAC markets. Ensure compliance with Yum Brands global food safety standards and local regulatory requirements. Conduct risk assessments, audits, and inspections of suppliers, distributors, and restaurants to verify compliance. Drive continuous improvement in product quality, safety, and consistency. Partner with R&D and Supply Chain to qualify new suppliers and manufacturing facilities. Establish and monitor product specifications and quality standards for raw materials, packaging, and finished products. Manage supplier quality performance, addressing deviations and implementing corrective actions when required. Support commercialization of new products by ensuring quality and food safety standards are embedded at launch. Execute Yum Restaurant Food Safety Compliance Standards across system to manage restaurant food safety compliance and performance. Collaborate with Operations and Training teams to provide QA guidance and training at restaurant level. Act as the key QA contact point for regulatory agencies and local market teams. Develop and deliver training programs on food safety, HACCP, and quality standards to internal and external stakeholders. Lead investigations and root cause analysis of food safety or quality incidents, including 24/7 availability for crisis and escalations. Implement preventive measures and corrective actions to protect the brand and consumer trust. Qualifications Is This You? Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field. 10+ years of experience in Quality Assurance or Food Safety, preferably in QSR, FMCG, or food manufacturing industries. Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMP, GFSI standards, and regional regulatory requirements. Demonstrated experience managing supplier and/or restaurant operations quality and conducting audits. Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams and influence stakeholders in a matrix environment. Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and communication skills. Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, multicultural, and highly dynamic regional environment. Why Taco Bell? We truly believe that where you work matters, and we know a thing or two about what makes employees happy. Join us on our mission of feeding people’s lives with Más We are about more than just building restaurants—we connect with our fans through their passions including sports, gaming, and music. We know that employees want a company they can live and grow with; they crave a unique culture that fosters creativity and encourages pursuit of passion, and they look for opportunities to take risks, develop skills and learn in ways that fit their lifestyle. We foster a culture of authenticity and believe all people can make a difference. #J-18808-Ljbffr