Indian Cuisine jobs in Watford

Quality & Compliance Manager – QSR & Indian Food Operations

Location: UK Based
Salary: Starting from £40,000 per annum
Benefits: Fuel Card and/or Company Car, Company Mobile & Laptop (where applicable)
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Travel Requirement: 100% Field-Based Travel Across Assigned Locations
Driving Licence: Essential
Sponsorship: Not Available

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Quality & Compliance Manager to oversee food safety, operational standards, and compliance across a portfolio of Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) and Indian fast-food locations.

The successful candidate will have a strong operational background, having previously worked as a Chef within Indian fast-food or QSR environments before moving into an auditing, compliance, or quality assurance role. This position is ideal for an individual who understands restaurant operations from the ground up and can effectively assess, coach, and improve standards across multiple sites.

Candidates with previous experience in large-scale contract catering, food service management, hospitality support services, or multi-site catering operations will be highly regarded.

This is a fully field-based role requiring extensive travel across the UK.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive operational, food safety, and compliance audits across multiple restaurant locations.
• Assess compliance with HACCP procedures, food safety legislation, and company standards.
• Prepare detailed audit reports, identify areas of non-compliance, and provide corrective action plans.
• Support restaurants in achieving and maintaining high standards of food safety and operational excellence.
• Assist sites in preparing for Local Authority Environmental Health Officer (EHO) inspections.
• Monitor and review Food Hygiene Rating Scheme performance and compliance standards.
• Conduct food safety investigations and follow up on incidents where required.
• Provide coaching and guidance to management teams on compliance improvements.
• Ensure all locations comply with company procedures, health and safety requirements, allergen regulations, and food hygiene standards.
• Conduct operational reviews covering food quality, customer service, cleanliness, stock control, and kitchen performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance operational consistency.
• Deliver training and support to restaurant management teams where required.
• Maintain accurate audit records and compliance documentation.
• Produce reports and compliance updates for senior leadership.

Essential RequirementsExperience

• Minimum 4–5 years' experience as a Chef within:
• Indian Fast Food Operations
• Quick Service Restaurants (QSR)
• High-volume restaurant environments
• Minimum 1–2 years' experience in:
• Food Safety Auditing
• Compliance Auditing
• Quality Assurance
• Operational Standards Auditing
• Experience conducting site inspections and compliance reviews across multiple locations.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of:
• HACCP
• Food Safety Management Systems
• Environmental Health Officer (EHO) requirements
• Food Hygiene Regulations
• Allergen Management
• Health & Safety Compliance
• Ability to interpret legislation and implement practical solutions within restaurant operations.

Skills

• Excellent report-writing skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to influence and coach operational teams.
• Strong organisational and time-management abilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Competent user of:
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Teams

Other Requirements

• Full UK Driving Licence.
• UK-based with the right to work in the UK.
• Willingness to travel extensively (100% field-based role).
• Flexibility to work across multiple locations and regions as required.

Desirable Qualifications

• Level 3 or Level 4 Food Safety Qualification.
• HACCP Qualification.
• Internal Auditor Qualification.
• Health & Safety Qualification.
• Experience auditing multi-site restaurant or catering operations.
• Experience within contract catering, food service management, or large-scale hospitality operations.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary starting from £40,000 per annum.
• Fuel Card and/or Company Car.
• Company expenses covered for business travel.
• Opportunities for career progression within a growing organisation.
• Ongoing professional development and training.
• Dynamic and supportive working environment.

Important Information

• Applicants must be based in the UK and have the right to work in the UK.
• No visa sponsorship is available for this position.
• A full UK driving licence is mandatory.
• This role requires regular travel and site visits across assigned locations throughout the UK.

Pay: From £40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Discounted or free food

Ability to commute/relocate:

• United Kingdom: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• Bachelor's (required)

Experience:

• Chef: 4 years (required)
• Internal audits: 1 year (required)
• Indian cuisine: 4 years (required)
• Quick service & fast food restaurant: 2 years (required)
• Catering management: 2 years (required)

Language:

• English (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate (required)
• Driving Licence (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Location:

• United Kingdom (required)

Willingness to travel:

• 100% (required)

Work Location: In person