Field Governance Officer

The Field Governance Officer will play a critical role in ensuring the franchisees maintain the highest standards of food safety, operational excellence, and brand compliance. This position serves as the primary liaison between corporate governance standards and franchisee operations, providing hands-on support and audit oversight to ensure consistent delivery of quality and safety across all franchise locations.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct regular food safety audits at franchisee locations to ensure compliance with local health regulations, FDA guidelines, and company standards
• Monitor and verify proper food handling, storage, and preparation procedures, including temperature controls and cross-contamination prevention
• Review and approve food safety documentation, including HACCP plans, cleaning schedules, and temperature logs
•  Coordinate with franchisees to address health inspection findings and implement corrective action plans
•  Provide immediate guidance during food safety incidents or health department visits
• Evaluate franchisee adherence to operational procedures, including service protocols, quality standards, and equipment maintenance
• Conduct operational assessments and provide actionable recommendations for process improvements
• Verify proper implementation of standard operating procedures across all shifts and dayparts
• Monitor inventory management practices, waste reduction initiatives, and cost control measures
• Ensure compliance with labour practices, including proper staffing levels, break compliance, and employee safety protocols
• Execute comprehensive brand audits covering facility appearance, cleanliness, equipment condition, and customer experience
• Verify adherence to brand specifications for menu items, portion sizes, plating, and presentation standards
• Assess marketing compliance, including promotional materials, signage, and local store marketing initiatives
• Monitor franchisee compliance with brand image guidelines, including uniforms, customer service standards, and facility aesthetics
  
• Document audit findings and work collaboratively with franchisees to develop improvement plans with clear timelines
• Prepare detailed audit reports with findings, scores, and recommendations for each franchisee location
• Track and analyse compliance trends across franchise portfolio to identify systemic issues and opportunities
• Maintain accurate records of all audits, corrective actions, and follow-up activities
• Present regular updates to leadership on franchisee compliance status and improvement initiatives

Professional Background and Educational Qualifications required

•         Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Food Science, Business Administration, or related field preferred

•         3-5 years of experience in QSR operations, quality assurance, or franchisee support roles

•         Strong knowledge of food safety regulations (ServSafe certification preferred) and health department requirements

•         Proven experience conducting operational audits and implementing compliance programs

•         Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to build strong franchisee relationships

•         Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

•         Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and audit management software

Key Competencies

•         Compliance & Risk Management: Ability to identify risks and ensure adherence to regulatory and brand standards

•         Relationship Building: Skill in developing trust-based partnerships with franchisees while maintaining accountability

•         Critical Thinking: Capacity to assess complex situations and provide practical, effective solutions

•         Influence & Coaching: Ability to guide and motivate franchisees toward continuous improvement

•         Results Orientation: Drive to achieve measurable improvements in compliance and operational performance

•         Adaptability: Flexibility to work with diverse franchisee groups and adjust approaches as needed