Fsqa Supplier Quality Specialist

Position Purpose:

The Sandridge Crafted Foods (SCF) Supplier Quality Specialist is a key FSQA role responsible for executing the SCF Approved Supplier Program (ASP). This role requires risk-based thinking while managing the program standards into and against business demands, working cooperatively with the Procurement group to ensure SCF raw ingredient and packaging standards are well communicated and upheld.

The Supplier Quality Specialist is an integral part of the HACCP/SQF and Audit teams and generates and assists in developing and communicating ASP program standards, including key reports and summaries during audit defense. Responsibilities include primary ownership and execution of the ASP through TraceGains software, ingredient hazard analysis, verification tasks, managing the hold/release protocols for raw materials, and working cooperatively with Procurement and 3rd party vendors to ensure on-time and reliable program execution.

Key Specific Responsibilities:

Lead new raw material supplier onboarding, qualification, and approval, working with Procurement and the Quality Assurance Managers to establish qualified supplier status

Maintain and administer raw material supplier documentation - specifications, COA's, food safety certifications, and supplier quality agreements - ensuring records stay current and audit-ready

Lead supplier corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities in response to nonconformances, complaints, or audit findings, and verify the effectiveness of corrective actions taken

Evaluate, approve, and continuously monitor supplier performance through scorecards, quality metrics, and nonconformance trending

Schedule supplier risk assessments and qualification audits - remote and on-site - to evaluate food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance

Participate in raw material and ingredient change management, assessing the food safety and quality impact of formulation, specification, or sourcing changes

Collaborate with Procurement to improve supplier performance, resolve quality issues, and reduce the cost of poor quality (COPQ)

Support internal and external audits - customer, regulatory, and third-party (SQF) related to supplier quality and raw material approval programs

Review and approve incoming raw material specifications, COAs, and supporting documentation to confirm conformance prior to production use

Partner with the QA Manager and Food Safety team to ensure supplier programs support the facility's HACCP, Preventive Controls, SQF, and Pre-Requisite Programs

Organize, document, and communicate disposition of nonconforming raw materials, including hold/release decisions and the vendor deviation process

Manage the supplier-related component of customer complaints, identifying root-cause tied to incoming materials and coordinating supplier response via TraceGains

Report supplier quality trends, risks, and issues to the VP: FSQA, escalating significant concerns as appropriate.

Qualifications for Position: Experience, Education and Licensure

Associate degree in Food Science, Microbiology, related technical field

5 years of QA experience in food production, including role(s) in supplier management

Excellent communication skills

Demonstrated ability to perform risk-based thinking and analysis

HACCP Certification is required

Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification is preferred

Experience with technical software (TraceGains or similar)

Experience working in/with an industry ERP system

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

This role requires >50% time at / with a computer.

The role includes walking, standing, sitting, and light lifting.

Supervision:

N /A

Measurements of Performance:

Performance will be measured formally on an annual basis against strategic personal and company goals, KPI's and job description. We encourage all team members to seek out feedback on their performance regularly.

Travel Requirements:

Overnight Travel - not required

Overnight Travel - sporadic - required

Overnight Travel - 20% or greater - required

Overnight Travel - valid passport required for international travel