Hospitality & Food

How to become a Food Safety Manager

From kitchen or QA: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

1–3 years

Typical pay

$52k–$72k

Starting from

Kitchen or QA

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from kitchen or QA and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.

The route

1. 1

   2–4 years

   Build kitchen or plant experience

   Credibility here comes from having worked where the hazards are.

   Course that covers thisFood Safety and Hygiene Level 2Udemy · around $19.99 →
2. 2

   Get ServSafe Manager certified

   The baseline credential for the role.

   ◆ ServSafe Manager

   Course that covers thisServSafe Exam Prep: Reviewer and Mock Exams | Review CentralUdemy · around $19.99 →
3. 3

   1–2 months

   Learn HACCP

   Hazard analysis and critical control points — the framework auditors inspect against.

4. 4

   1 year

   Own an audit

   Passing a third-party audit is the accomplishment that gets you hired elsewhere.

5. ✓

   Destination

   Food Safety Manager

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