Hybrid Technical Food and Safety Manager – US Operations

at Mars

• Job title: Technical Food and Safety Manager – US Operations
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Mid level, Senior
• Salary: $93,531 - $126,500 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Chicago, United States

About the role

• Technical Food and Safety Manager overseeing food safety and compliance at Hotel Chocolat’s cafés and retail outlets in the US. Collaborating with teams to implement safety protocols and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for all aspects of food safety across the Hotel Chocolat Café and Retail estate, as well as Hotel Chocolat’s in-country supply operations.
• Promotes and embeds a strong food safety culture by partnering with US retail management teams, local suppliers, UK central functions, and relevant regulators.
• Takes ownership for food safety auditing, regulatory compliance, and interactions with authorities as required.
• Develop, implement, and maintain all food safety policies, procedures, and materials for Hotel Chocolat Retail, Café, and food service operations.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant US federal, state, and local regulations, including FDA Food Code, FSMA requirements, and local health department standards.
• Conduct scheduled reviews of food safety policies to ensure ongoing legal compliance and alignment with global technical standards.
• Identify risks across operations and implement preventive and corrective actions to strengthen food safety culture and performance.
• Develop and own the US traceability programme, ensuring alignment with UK central Technical and compliance with FSMA Section 204(d) where applicable.
• Maintain readiness for product withdrawals or recalls and coordinate actions across US operations when required.
• Support all incident management activities, conduct root cause analyses, oversee CAPA implementation, and ensure timely communication between the US Café business and UK Technical.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with relevant regulatory agencies and enforcement officers.
• Manage responses to local health inspections, oversee corrective action processes, and analyse trends to prevent recurrence.
• Develop and deliver food safety training and coaching for retail and café teams, ensuring compliance with state-specific Food Handler and Food Protection Manager requirements.
• Implement and manage a comprehensive audit programme across the US Retail and Café estate, all third-party suppliers, and the local supply network.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree preferred or equivalent experience
• Previous experience in a food safety–focused role within retail, café, food service, or manufacturing environments.
• Strong and demonstrable knowledge of US food safety regulations, including FDA Food Code, FSMA requirements, state and local health department standards, and best practice for retail/café operations.
• Experience implementing new food safety policies and procedures, including delivering training, coaching, and capability building for operational teams.
• Food Safety Level 4 (or equivalent advanced food safety qualification).
• ANSI-accredited Food Protection Manager Certification (or willingness to obtain upon appointment).
• Lead auditor / internal auditor training with experience conducting multi-site audits.
• Strong decision-making skills, with the ability to respond quickly and effectively to food safety or quality issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of simplifying complex technical requirements for diverse audiences.
• Strong understanding of the commercial impact of food safety and operational decision-making.
• Willingness to travel approximately 50-60% across the US to support stores, suppliers, and operational teams.

Benefits

• A competitive salary and Incentives based on performance
• 50% unlimited staff discount to treat yourself and your friends and family
• 70% discount off a stay in our Hotel in St Lucia
• Flexible working arrangements
• Medical and dental benefits
• Participation in 401k plan