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Quality Scientist

Irvine, CA

Who is Taco Bell?

Taco Bell was born and raised in California and has been around since 1962. We went from selling everyone’s favorite Crunchy Tacos on the West Coast to a global brand with 8,200+ restaurants, 350 franchise organizations, that serve 42+ million fans each week around the globe. We’re not only the largest Mexican-inspired quick service brand (QSR) in the world, we’re also part of the biggest restaurant group in the world: Yum! Brands. 

Much of our fan love and authentic connection with our communities are rooted in being rebels with a cause. From ensuring we use high quality, sustainable ingredients to elevating restaurant technology in ways that hasn’t been done before… we will continue to be inclusive, bold, challenge the status quo and push industry boundaries.   

We’re a company that celebrates and advocates for different, has bold self-expression, strives for a better future, and brings the fun while we’re at it. We fuel our culture with real people who bring unique experiences. We inspire and enable our teams and the world to Live Más.

At Taco Bell, we’re Cultural Rebels. Want to join in on the passion-fueled fun? Learn more about the career below. 

About the Job:

Taco Bell is excited to offer a qualified candidate a tremendous opportunity to join our team of highly motivated Quality and Food Safety professionals in a fast paced and innovative environment, working together to drive ingredient supply chain excellence and to ensure “Trust in Every Bite”.  This role will work closely with suppliers across multiple ingredient categories and collaborate with multiple partners including Product Development, Commercialization, Purchasing, Distribution, Restaurant Excellence, Sister Brands (Pizza Hut & KFC), Finance, and Legal.

Equally important to the job role and responsibilities is making sure all qualified candidates are a good fit in the amazing Live Mas! Culture that is Taco Bell! At Taco Bell, we embrace breakthrough thinking and innovative ideas that continue to differentiate us from our competitors. We have a maniacal focus on our customers, never follow, and always celebrate the accomplishments of our people. If you are that diamond in the rough, we would love to meet with you.

The Day-to-Day:

  • Monitor performance of current ingredient suppliers to identify and resolve quality and food safety opportunities, including risk identification and mitigation
  • Establish measurable performance goals for suppliers and drive continuous improvement projects within their production facilities
  • Conduct compliance cuttings on various ingredients and work with suppliers to resolve deficiencies
  • Conduct Quality Systems audits for various suppliers and ingredients
  • Maintain accurate and complete specifications to ensure ingredients comply with all product design requirements
  • Support the development of new suppliers or enhanced facilities to meet future growth plans
  • Investigate and resolve Hotline calls related to quality and/or supply chain issues
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to support food safety initiatives across various ingredient categories
  • Review various GFSI, Quality and Food Safety audits and approve corrective action plans.

Is This You?

  • Minimum B.S. in Science: Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, Animal Science, Agriculture, Food Engineering
  • 5 years’ experience in Quality Assurance and Food Safety in the manufacturing of RTE ingredients including experience in pathogen environmental monitoring, sanitation principles, and foreign material prevention.
  • Food Safety and Quality Systems auditing experience
  • Strong project management and organizational skills
  • Strong communication and presentation skills
  • Ability to work independently
  • Able to travel to support needs of the business

Work-Hard, Play-Hard:

  • Hybrid work schedule and year-round flex day Friday
  • Onsite childcare through Bright Horizons 
  • Onsite dining center and game room (yes, there is a Taco Bell inside the building) 
  • Onsite dry cleaning, laundry services, carwash, 
  • Onsite gym with fitness classes and personal trainer sessions 
  • Up to 4 weeks of vacation per year plus holidays and time off for volunteering 
  • Generous parental leave for all new parents and adoption assistance program 
  • 401(k) with a 6% matching contribution from Yum! Brands with immediate vesting 
  • Comprehensive medical & dental including prescription drug benefits and 100% preventive care
  • Discounts, free food, swag and… honestly, too many good benefits to name 

Salary Range: ­­$86,300 to $101,400 annually + bonus eligibility + benefits

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.

At Taco Bell, we Live Más and invite you to do the same. Take a seat at our table. Bring your voice. Bring you, just as you are, a Cultural Rebel. We want you to be your best self! 

Taco Bell is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all dimensions of diversity.  We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other protected characteristic.

Taco Bell is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities or special needs.  

US Job Seekers/Employees - Click here to view the “Know Your Rights” poster and supplement and the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.

Employment eligibility to work with Taco Bell in the U.S. is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for this position.

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