Sr. Scientist, Food Safety and Quality

This role leads the strategic direction of Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) for Pizza Hut US supply. The focus is on ensuring superior quality and food safety across all ingredients and finished products, while managing assigned product categories with a comprehensive “farm-to-table” perspective. The position requires strong decision-making, cross-functional collaboration, and a balance of technical expertise with practical execution. The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking problem solver and people leader who builds high-performing teams, drives continuous improvement, and champions Yum’s “How We Win Together” culture. 

 

Key Responsibilities:

Category & Program Leadership

• Lead and evolve a product category for Pizza Hut to ensure best-in-class quality and food safety.
• Manage assigned product categories, ensuring full compliance with Pizza Hut’s and YUM standards through supplier audits, product evaluations, and non-conformance monitoring.
• Analyze trends and data to identify opportunities for supplier and product improvement. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with suppliers, purchasing, operations, NPD, RSCS/Supply Chain, and global QA teams to support innovation, onboarding of new ingredients, and menu strategy.
• Provide technical expertise in supplier capabilities and risk management to guide new product launches and process improvements.
• Represent FSQ in regular presentations to cross-functional partners and senior leadership. 

Continuous Improvement & Risk Management

• Develop tools and frameworks that elevate supplier performance across all categories (meats, grains, dairy, produce, sauces, seasonings, beverages).
• Anticipate business needs and proactively implement solutions to navigate challenges.
• Lead or support crisis management activities, including product recoveries.
• Streamline FSQ tools and processes for greater efficiency and repeatability across the system. 

People Leadership

• Build a collaborative, motivated team environment focused on growth, development, and role modeling Yum!’s leadership principles (Heart, Smart, Courage). 

 

Required Qualifications:

• You will be required to attend the Plano, TX office 3 days a week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science (preferred), Biology, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Microbiology, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing food industry or experience managing suppliers for FSQ for another QSR brand. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with GFSI schemes and FSMA.
• Food Safety and Quality system auditing experience.
• Knowledge of government regulations and role of FDA, USDA, Food Code & Crisis Management.
• General understanding of economic metrics for facility and business operations.
• Good understanding of manufacturing and process capabilities. 

Core Skills:

• Strong leadership and team building skills.
• Strong analytical methods, organizational and data management skills.
• Pragmatic problem solver; provide practical and scientifically backed recommendations for testing methods and work with team to drive improvement in quality program.
• Strong personal motivation and drive for professional and personal growth.
• Strong communication skills (written and oral).
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office (Teams, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Positive energy in delivering a customer service mindset and food safety first culture.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong, effective relationships across the organization and with external suppliers and consultants.
• Effectively work with a wide range of individual management styles.

 

Salary Range: $96,700 to $102,420 annually + bonus eligibility. This is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate’s location, experience, and other job-related factors.

Who We Are

Founded in 1958, Pizza Hut - a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. - now operates more than 18,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. Pizza Hut is leading the way in providing customers with great experiences, innovating with technology and new products, as well as delivering exceptional service.

 

Our People & Culture

We're looking for people who LOVE pizza and thrive in a fun, past paced, and customer-centric environment. At ou