Manager, Food Safety & Quality Assurance
26 days ago
New York
Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) has created some of New York’s most beloved restaurants, cafes, and bars, which offer outstanding food delivered with our signature warmth and hospitality. Founded by Danny Meyer with the opening of Union Square Cafe in 1985, the company now extends beyond the walls of its eateries. \nUSHG has long supported its communities through hunger relief and civic organizations. USHG holds 28 James Beard Awards and numerous accolades for its distinctive style of hospitality. \n \n \nWho you are: \n \nThe Manager, Food Safety & Quality Assurance, will be a key leader in protecting and advancing Union Square Hospitality Group’s commitment to Enlightened Hospitality. This role is responsible for building, leading, and continuously strengthening food safety, quality assurance, and risk management programs across our restaurants. \nWith a deep understanding of restaurant operations, this leader partners closely with Operations, Facilities, Legal, Supply Chain, and Training to ensure regulatory compliance, safeguard the well-being of our guests and team members, and embed food safety and quality into every aspect of the guest experience. The role balances hands-on operational partnership with strategic oversight, scalable systems, and data-driven decision-making. It will require a strong understanding of food safety and quality systems at the supplier level to ensure upstream controls, specifications, and audits that align with our standards. \n \nWhat you’ll do: \n \n\n • \nConsistently deliver a culture of Enlightened Hospitality, ensuring the safety, care, and trust of our guests and team members \n\n, • \nServe as the primary owner of food safety and quality assurance programs across all USHG full-service restaurants and Daily Provisions \n\n, • \nLead and manage Department of Health (DOH) inspections, follow-up, corrective actions, and ongoing regulatory compliance \n\n, • \nOversee third-party audit programs, including NSF, driving strong performance, accountability, and continuous improvement \n\n, • \nOwn Ingredient Quality Assurance (Ingredient QA) programs in partnership with Supply Chain, including supplier standards, documentation, and risk mitigation \n\n, • \nManage food safety and food labeling requirements in support of Daily Provisions’ transition to chain status, ensuring all approved products, suppliers, and specifications meet USHG and regulatory standards \n\n, • \nDevelop, implement, and oversee comprehensive Allergy Management programs, including training, policies, and incident prevention \n\n, • \nBe accountable for guest incidents and employee incidents, partnering with Operations, Facilities, and Legal on investigation, documentation, root cause analysis, and corrective actions \n\n, • \nLead food safety and quality-related waste tracking and reduction initiatives by translating daily operational data into actionable insights, identifying recurring trends and risks, and working side-by-side with USHG Culinary and Operations teams to implement practical, scalable improvement strategies \n\n, • \nTranslate regulatory and technical requirements into clear, practical standards that support restaurant teams \n\n, • \nAnalyze data from audits, incidents, waste, and compliance metrics to proactively identify risks and opportunities \n\n, • \nSupport training initiatives to ensure food safety, quality, and allergy standards are embedded into onboarding and ongoing development \n\n\nWhat we need from you: \n \n\n, • \n5–7 years of progressive experience in food safety and quality assurance within restaurant, foodservice, or consumer packaged goods environments, preferably multi-unit or multi-site \n\n, • \nStrong experience managing DOH inspections, third-party audits (e.g., NSF), and regulatory compliance \n\n, • \nWorking knowledge of allergen management, ingredient quality systems, and supplier compliance \n\n, • \nProven ability to manage and investigate guest and employee incidents in partnership with cross-functional teams \n\n, • \nExperience working closely with Operations in fast-paced, high-expectation restaurant environments \n\n, • \nCPG experience is a plus, particularly exposure to quality systems or supplier programs \n\n, • \nStrong communication, judgment, and relationship-building skills \n\n, • \nAbility to balance regulatory rigor with operational practicality \n\n, • \nDegree in Food Safety, biology, microbiology, chemistry or other related fields strongly preferred \n\n\nWhat you’ll get from us: \n \nAt Union Square Hospitality Group, extending Enlightened Hospitality is at the heart of everything we do. We believe our people are our greatest ingredient. Joining our team means becoming part of a culture rooted in care, creativity, and growth. As a Manager, Food Safety & Quality Assurance, you’ll enjoy: \n\n, • \nCompetitive pay and bonus potential: Annual compensation range of $85,000 - $90,000 plus eligibility for a performance-based bonus. Compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, and internal equity. \n\n, • \nComprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus flexible spending options for healthcare and dependent care \n\n, • \nTime to recharge: Generous paid time off and paid parental leave to support life outside of work \n\n, • \nInvesting in your future: A matched 401(k) plan to help you grow long-term savings \n\n, • \nPeace of mind: Life insurance, employee assistance programs, and exclusive access to primary care, mental health, and other wellness services \n\n, • \nSupport in times of need: Access to the USHG HUGS Employee Relief Fund, offering direct assistance to team members facing unexpected hardship \n\n, • \nDining Credit: An annual dining credit to enjoy exceptional meals and experiences at any of our restaurants \n\n, • \nDining Discount: A 51% dining discount across the entire USHG family of restaurants to share unforgettable meals with friends and loved ones \n\n, • \nConvenience & flexibility: Pre-tax commuter benefits for transit and parking \n\n, • \nGrowth and community: Opportunities for learning, mentorship, and collaboration with some of the most passionate people in hospitality \n\n\nPutting Enlightened Hospitality into Practice \n \nIntegral to our culture are our six behaviors. Our behaviors guide how we work together. \n\n, • We play to win with humble swagger. Hospitality is a team sport where everyone deserves an opportunity to thrive and belong\n, • Turn over the rocks and always be connecting dots to build uplifting experiences and relationships \n, • Center the salt shaker with an unwavering commitment to excellence and the values that matter most \n, • Write a great next chapter. The road to success is paved with mistakes well-handled \n, • Bring a charitable assumption and err on the side of generosity \n, • Leave our campsite better than we found it; always responsible for the impact of our wake \n