Quality Specialist, Vendor Compliance

The Supplier Quality Specialist at OLIPOP is responsible for managing and executing supplier-level food safety, traceability, and quality programs, ensuring compliance with OLIPOP quality standards. This role involves collaboration with cross-functional partners to assist with supplier onboarding, compliance management, and documentation accuracy.

This role is location-based in: Burlingame, California

• This role requires onsite presence 4 days per week

RESPONSIBILITIES

Supplier Management

• Maintain supplier approval records, ingredient documentation, and compliance records to support supplier qualification, ongoing compliance, and supplier quality programs
• Partner cross-functionally with Procurement, R&D and Regulatory teams to support supplier onboarding, vendor approvals, ingredient changes and supplier quality initiatives
• Evaluate current suppliers and ingredients using risk-based assessments and implement controls, monitoring activities, and preventative measures to ensure ingredient quality, consistency, and compliance
• Monitor supplier performance and compliance metrics, including supplier documentation, service, and supply chain KPIs. Identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement. Support corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives as needed.
• Prepare and maintain supplier performance scorecards and support supplier performance review activities.
• Conduct supplier quality investigations, including root cause analysis, corrective actions, documentation review, and follow-up activities are completed in compliance with OLIPOP quality standards
• Build and maintain effective supplier relationships through timely communication, issue resolution, and ongoing support of supplier quality programs
• Visit supplier facilities as necessary to review and verify systems and facilities meet OLIPOP quality standards

Ingredient Management

• Review ingredient specifications, Certificate of Analysis (COAs), and supporting documentation to support ingredient releases and ensure compliance with established requirements
• Maintain ingredient related documentation, such as handling matrix, hazard analysis, internal specifications
• Support ingredient shelf-life extension evaluations through documentation review, data analysis and testing
• Maintain a library of ingredient retains to support traceability, quality investigations, and compliance requirements
• Perform regular ingredient testing and evaluation activities to support supplier approvals, shelf-life evaluations, ingredient investigation and other continuous improvement initiatives

Document Control

• Develop, update, and maintain SOPs, job aids, work instructions, forms, and other controlled documentation related to supplier and ingredient quality programs
• Organize and archive documents as necessary
• Review all relevant SOPs for completeness and accuracy with stakeholders on a regular basis

REQUIREMENTS:

• 3 - 5 years of quality assurance, supplier quality, quality systems, food safety and/or related experience within the food and beverage industry
• Supplier quality experience preferred
• Experience in reviewing technical documentation, including ingredient specifications, COAs, supplier documentation and other quality systems records
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets are required, and prior experience with Google Workspace preferred
• Good organizational skills and ability to handle managing multiple priorities and projects in a fast paced environment
• Transparent, open/honest communicator - a great listener who can work independently while keeping other team members informed
• Strong written communication and ability to provide clear status updates and recommendations
• Strong attention to detail and deadline oriented with the ability to organize assignments, set priorities, and carry out plans

Nice-to-Have:

• Experience developing and implementing document control processes
• Experience in using supplier compliance software, such as FoodLogiQ

REPORTS TO: Quality Manager

COMPENSATION: $80k-$95k base salary + bonus