Supplier Quality & Regulatory Specialist

Supplier Quality & Regulatory SpecialistHot JobGridley, IL - Gridley, IL 61744OverviewSalary Range $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 Salary Level Experienced Position Type Full TimeDescriptionThe Supplier Quality & Regulatory Specialist ensures all ingredients, packaging, and contact materials meet strict regulatory and quality standards. This role directly manages the vendor compliance program to satisfy quality and regulatory requirements through GFSI schemes, customer, and other regulatory agencies (like FDA). This position will review ingredient documentation, be able to perform risk assessments on ingredients and approve items based upon food safety and food quality requirements.QualificationsKey Responsibilities:Evaluate vendor documentation, by requesting and reviewing a variety of documentation (including but not limited to risk assessments, third party audits, certificates of analysis, allergen statements, etc.) to determine food safety and qualityMaintain approved supplier register, by keeping an accurate, updated database of all certified raw materials and suppliers/vendorsAssess materials risks by conducting supporting vulnerability assessments for food fraud, intentional adulteration, and foreign material contaminationAssist in managing non-conformance by documenting vendor deviations, providing information on corrective actions/preventive actions, track resolutions and develop/build scorecards for vendorsWork cross-functionally with other departments to enforce food safety principles and practices for the manufacturing facility for incoming ingredients and suppliers as well as providing knowledge and insight into the risk of utilizing new or existing ingredientsMaintain current knowledge of existing and emerging quality regulations, international standards, consensus standards, and guidance documents.

Interpret rules or rule changes and recommend or initiate changes to existing company procedures and policies in response to changes in industry regulations or standardsMaintain centralized document management for ingredients and suppliersEnforce FSMA compliance by verifying supplier verification activities align with Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (as needed) and Supply Chain applied controlsEnsure the supplier approval program aligns with current food safety and quality codes practices and principlesAs needed, support external audits and serve as the primary subject matter expert for supplier compliance during regulatory or third-party auditsPartner with Procurement, Supply Chain, and RD to review and clear ingredients and vendors prior to commercial purchasingAssist Quality teams with incoming inspection protocols or additional testing requirements passed upon supplier risk levelsLead and participate in external audits as needed for new, existing, and at-risk suppliersIn the absence of this position, the VP of Quality or designated personnel serves as back-upSkills & Qualifications:BS degree (Food Science/Food Technology/Nutrition preferred) or related technical field, or 5+ years food manufacturing regulatory affairs experience in a GFSI certified facility working with suppliers and raw ingredients.FSP, HACCP, SQF, and Internal Auditor certifications, training, or willing to be certified within 6 months of hireDirect experience managing supplier quality management software, ERP systems, Trace Gains, etc. or developing platforms to ensure compliance with ingredients and vendor food safety.Strong knowledge of and experience with quality management systems and FDA/GFSI requirements for food manufacturesKnowledge of quality tools, quality trend reporting, regulatory and compliance guidelines and ability to build dashboards and management systemsSkilled at building and continuously improving quality compliance programs particularly for suppliers and raw ingredientsAdept at working in a fast-paced organization that is growing and changingOrganized and able to advance multiple projects at one timeStrong in written communication and reporting with high attention to technical detail when reviewing complex laboratory and regulatory documents.Attentive to details and committed to accuracyHighly proficient using MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and ERP systemsDriving Quality Culture and ImprovementExperience with good manufacturing principles (GMP)Committed to modeling and preserving the key components of Watershed Foods culture (Humility, Trust, Service, Five-Way Win, Strategy, Stewardship, Teamwork, Innovation, Development, Excellence)Benefits:PPO or HSA medical benefits with Employer Contributions.Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability insurance.401K with a competitive company match.8 Holidays, Vacation accrual, PTO program, Parental Leave.Attendance, Safety, Service Awards.Tuition Reimbursement Program.Uniform and Boots provision.Employee Assistance Program.Chaplain Program.Smart Dollar.Company Events and Luncheons.Paid Volunteer Days.Referral bonuses.