Supplier Compliance Manager (3706492)

Supplier Compliance Manager

Department: Quality

Position Level: Manager

Reports To: VP of Food Safety & Quality Assurance

Position Summary

This company is seeking an experienced Supplier Compliance Manager to lead the corporate supplier approval and compliance program, provide technical food safety support to manufacturing operations, and ensure regulatory compliance across finished products and supplier networks. This role will be responsible for overseeing supplier qualification, approval, and performance management programs while ensuring compliance with applicable USDA/FSIS, FDA, FSMA, customer, and internal quality requirements. The position will also serve as a key technical resource for supplier-related food safety, quality, and regulatory matters.

The ideal candidate will partner closely with the Procurement team to identify, assess, and qualify new suppliers, supporting business continuity and strategic dual-sourcing initiatives through the evaluation of supplier capabilities, risks, and compliance readiness.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Approval & Compliance (Quality & Food Safety)

• Lead supplier and raw material approval, qualification, risk assessment, and monitoring programs.
• Develop and maintain supplier quality standards, policies, and procedures.
• Review supplier audits, certifications, food safety programs, specifications, and compliance documentation.
• Manage supplier performance, approval status, and corrective action programs.
• Investigate supplier quality and food safety issues, driving root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Partner with Procurement, Operations, and suppliers to mitigate risk, improve performance, and support business continuity.

Food Safety & Quality Tasks

• Conduct and maintain raw material risk assessments.
• Define incoming raw material inspection requirements.
• Define incoming raw material testing and analysis requirements.
• Develop and manage the supplier audit program.
• Review supplier performance and audit results to support supplier approval and requalification.
• Drive supplier corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.

Supplier Auditing

• Define the annual supplier audit plan based on supplier risk and performance.
• Develop audit plans, checklists, and audit reports.
• Conduct supplier audits and communicate findings.
• Review and approve supplier corrective actions and verify implementation.

Regulatory & Documentation Compliance

• Verify raw material compliance with USDA, FDA, and customer requirements.
• Verify compliance with state regulations and product claims (e.g., Proposition 65, nutritional claims).
• Support product formulation and reformulation projects.
• Review raw material documentation to support finished product approvals.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with R&D, Procurement, Supply Chain, Operations, and Regulatory teams on supplier and compliance activities.
• Manage, train, and develop the Raw Materials Quality team.
• Drive continuous improvement across supplier quality and compliance programs.
• Promote a proactive, risk-based approach to quality and food safety.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Biology, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in supplier compliance, food safety, and quality within the food industry.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, and CFIA regulations, including labeling, ingredients, allergens, nutrition, and product specifications.
• Experience managing supplier approval, qualification, and compliance programs.
• Strong knowledge of FSMA, HACCP, Preventive Controls, and GMPs.
• PCQI & HACCP certification.
• Qualified food safety auditor.
• Experience reviewing supplier food safety and compliance documentation.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and managing corrective actions.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to identify compliance risks and implement practical solutions.
• Proactive problem-solving approach.
• Experience leading and developing teams.
• Spanish proficiency required.

Preferred

• Experience in refrigerated, ready-to-eat, or high-care food manufacturing.
• Experience working in both USDA- and FDA-regulated facilities.
• Experience with FSMA supply-chain programs and supplier verification activities.
• Familiarity with supplier compliance systems, regulatory databases, and document management systems.

Key Competencies

• Supplier compliance and risk management
• Food safety and quality expertise
• Regulatory knowledge and technical decision-making
• Ownership of supplier compliance programs
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Problem-solving and risk assessment
• Project management and prioritization
• Effective communication and technical support
• Continuous improvement and process optimization
• Team leadership and development
• Other duties as assigned.