Job Description:
The position will manage Shenandoah Growers, Inc. (“SGI”) suppliers and service providers, including but not limited to product, packaging, inputs and services. The Supplier Quality Assurance Specialist will work with SGI locations’ management to ensure their suppliers and service providers are meeting all applicable SGI and regulatory standards. This position will act as liaison between Supply Chain and Compliance departments to ensure adequacy of our suppliers’ and service providers’ food safety and organic practices and documentation. Position has dotted line reporting responsibility to VP, Supply Chain.
Compensation/Salary:
DOE
Responsibilities & Duties:
- Leads ongoing communication between suppliers and service providers, Compliance and Supply Chain departments.
- Manages daily functions of SGI’s Supplier Compliance Program including FSMA requirements and Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP), for all product, inputs, packaging, and services.
- Responsible for maintaining and updating Supplier Monitoring SOPs.
- Ensures up-to-date supplier documentation for food safety, organic, and quality criteria are maintained and readily accessible upon request.
- Works with Supply Chain team and suppliers and/or their agents, if applicable, on compliance issues to find workable solutions.
- Enforces compliance guidelines with all suppliers, their agents if applicable, and service providers.
- Supports and administers the maintenance of SGI’s Supplier Database ensuring accurate and current contact information and reconciliation of active suppliers.
- Manages a supplier portal (Safety Chain) with a profile for every supplier to include documentation of supplier visits and mandatory supplier-provided food safety documentation (Letters of Guarantee, 3rd party certificates, COA, etc.).
- Supports the review and approval of suppliers’ and distributors’ food safety programs, third-party audits, and documentation.
- Leads supplier continuous improvement activities to strengthen our supplier management system.
- Assesses and evaluates supplier capabilities through on-site visits to supplier locations and maintains thorough documentation pertaining to the visit, observations, and any necessary corrective actions.
- Assists with the evaluation of suppliers who are not meeting SGI’s Supply Chain requirements and leads investigations involving customer complaints pertaining to supplier-related concerns.
- Assists in establishing tools and reporting metrics for Food Safety Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), providing transparency of outcomes on supplier compliance levels.
- Compiles data for documentation of test procedures and may prepare reports for presentation to management.
- Manages “SDS Online” software and ensures all inputs and all other chemicals purchased by SGI have updated SDS on file.
- Manages organic product profile for suppliers of organic product.
- Works with Corporate Compliance on continuous improvement projects.
- Drives “Be the Best” principles.
- Adheres to and administers Company policies and procedures.
- Other duties as assigned.
Ideal Candidate:
- FSPCA Foreign Supplier Verification Program Certified.
- Familiarity with the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for organic crop production.
- Bi-lingual English/Spanish.
Qualifications:
- 2-4 Years of experience in supplier quality assurance or comparable field.
- Bachelor’s degree in related field
- Understanding of Global Food Safety Initiative Audit processes and schemes.
- Working knowledge of quality systems, food safety programs, GMPs, food defense, and HACCP.
- Requires legal eligibility and personal ability to travel domestically and internationally approximately 50% of the time, including work coverage beyond the normal hours, shifts, and on weekends/holidays. Must have (or obtain) and maintain a current U.S. Passport.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Office 365 programs.
- Valid Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record.
- Highly organized and detailed oriented.
- Knows how to manage overlapping projects and keep track of deadlines.
- Effective communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrate ability to lead and motivate people.
- Strong analytical thinker with problem solving skills.
- Ability to work with employees at all levels of the organization.
