Job Description

This position can sit in any of the following KFC offices: UK (Woking), France (Paris), Spain (Madrid), Germany (Ratingen) or Switzerland (Lausanne).

This role as a QA manager will focus primarily on managing and delivering the packaging strategy across our European markets. In this role, you will ensure that all packaging used across KFC Western Europe complies with internal standards, food safety regulations, and sustainability objectives.

• Maintaining packaging specifications, supplier certifications, and compliance documentation.
• Ensure packaging meets applicable EU and local regulations, including food contact material safety, recyclability, and labelling requirements.
• Monitor and manage packaging non-conformances, conduct root cause analysis, and lead corrective and preventive actions.
• Qualify new and existing packaging suppliers and converters across Europe.
• Maintain strong supplier relationships and enforce compliance with QA standards through performance monitoring and improvement plans.
• Support responsible sourcing and procurement in packaging supplier & material(s) selection and evaluation.
• Collaborate with sustainability teams to drive packaging innovation, reduce environmental impact, and meet corporate sustainability targets (e.g. plastic reduction, recyclability, deforestation).
• Stay current with trends and regulatory developments in sustainable packaging.

Qualifications / Skills:

• Experience in food safety and quality packaging.
• Knowledge and experience on understand local and European legislation.
• Detail-oriented with a strong analytical mindset.
• Effective communicator and cross-functional team player.
• Proactive problem-solver with a hands-on approach.
• Passion for sustainability and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work and be agile in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel (approx. 30%) across Europe to visit suppliers, manufacturing sites, and markets.

Experience:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Packaging Technology, Food Science, Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in packaging quality assurance or packaging development, preferably in foodservice, FMCG, or QSR sectors.
• Strong knowledge of food contact materials regulations (e.g., EU 10/2011, REACH, national packaging laws).
• Experience with supplier auditing, material testing, and packaging validation.
• Familiarity with ISO 22000, BRCGS Packaging, or similar quality systems.
• Fluency in English.
• Good commercial understanding -cost/process optimization.

#PanEurope

About Us

From the centre of the continent to the remote (and not-so-remote) coasts and islands, KFC Pan Europe is the iconic chicken restaurant brand with a unique history of innovation and success. Always original, our passion is high-quality, finger lickin' good chicken. Yes, we also have a secret recipe. No, we can't share it. What we can share is our heart-led, welcoming culture, where you can be your best self, make a difference and have fun.

We're part of Yum! Brands, Inc.-collaborating across the world with our sister brands, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and The Habit Burger Grill. KFC Pan Europe has three business units: Western Europe, Central & Eastern Europe and France. With more than 30 official languages in 150 different franchises, connecting with us is easier than ever. If you really want to do the math, we've also got 2,200 restaurants in 40 countries. Either way, we keep it original.

For us, the future is all about connecting food traditions and tomorrow's technology to innovate customer experiences, our global brand and the best fried chicken you've ever tasted. We exist to feed people's potential, valuing personal development and an inclusive culture. This also means having a keen social purpose and investing in mentorship, upskilling and food security. Creating opportunities for the most underserved and vulnerable groups in our communities helps grow new roots and strengthen bonds.

We want our people to be their best selves. So, we invest in skills, resources and each other. At our Pan Europe Academy, we develop leadership and train all levels of restaurant and corporate employees. From Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to Individual Development Plans, we build meaningful careers that have real impact.

The bottom line? We bring it. Curious? We hope so.

Bring your spark, your spice and your original story. At KFC Pan Europe, we're grounded in winning, celebrating, recognizing, welcoming and belonging. We've got a big table. You have a seat at it.