Supplier Quality | Food Manufacturing

We are seeking an experienced Supplier Quality Specialist to oversee and support quality performance across suppliers, co-packers, contract manufacturers, warehouses, and distribution partners within the food and beverage industry.

This position will be responsible for supplier qualification, quality audits, site assessments, corrective and preventive actions, technical troubleshooting, production trials, and ongoing supplier performance management. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in food/beverage manufacturing, supplier quality, food safety, technical operations, and production processes.

• Conduct supplier, co-packer, contract manufacturer, warehouse, and facility audits to ensure compliance with quality, food safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead and support supplier qualification and approval, including site capability assessments, quality system evaluations, and ongoing supplier performance monitoring.
• Evaluate supplier and manufacturing partner capabilities, including processes, equipment, sanitation, quality systems, food safety programs, and production controls.
• Identify supplier quality risks and develop appropriate corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Manage and follow up on supplier non-conformances, customer complaints, audit findings, quality incidents, and corrective actions through successful closure.
• Provide technical support to suppliers and co-packers to troubleshoot production, quality, packaging, and processing issues.
• Evaluate and approve packaging materials, specifications, compatibility, performance, product integrity, and shelf-life requirements.
• Assess production and processing equipment for compliance with OEM specifications, food safety requirements, and quality standards.
• Review sanitation programs, including SSOPs, COP practices, and sanitation equipment.
• Support and oversee production trials, innovation trials, new product introductions, and formulation changes at supplier and co-packer facilities.
• Ensure production trials are conducted according to approved formulations, specifications, mixing instructions, processing parameters, and quality requirements.
• Support supplier investigations and root cause analysis for quality issues and production discrepancies.
• Prepare detailed supplier audit reports, quality assessments, investigation reports, and technical documentation.
• Analyze supplier quality and production data to identify trends, recurring issues, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with Quality, R&D, Technical Operations, Production, Supply Chain, Procurement, and external manufacturing partners.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers and co-packers to drive continuous improvement and consistent product quality.
• Support supplier scorecards, performance reviews, and ongoing supplier quality improvement initiatives.

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, or a related scientific/technical field preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in food or beverage manufacturing, preferably within Supplier Quality, Quality Assurance, Technical Operations, or Manufacturing Quality.
• Experience conducting supplier, co-packer, contract manufacturer, or facility audits.
• Experience with supplier qualification, corrective actions, CAPA, non-conformances, root cause analysis, and quality investigations.
• Hands-on experience with beverage formulation, ingredient sourcing, flavor development, and production trials.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, HACCP, SQF, GMP, food safety, and sanitation requirements.
• Experience working directly with suppliers, vendors, co-packers, and contract manufacturers.

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Identity Theft & Legal Services

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