Customer & Supplier Quality Manager

Position Summary:

The Manager of Supplier Quality Assurance is responsible for setting strategy and ensuring execution of a QMS for Ventura Foods Suppliers (Ingredients, Packaging and Copackers). Responsible for supplier approvals, performance monitoring and issue resolution. Owner of the Tracegains systems and the Supplier Non-Conformance database (SNC). Ensure timely and effective CAPA response from suppliers in the SNC and perform validation. Modernize supplier approval program, establish risk based criteria and evaluation standards, and identify technology solutions to improve effectiveness and reduce administrative work. Creates scorecards and KPIs and report regularly to the organization. Establish role as a trusted partner to manufacturing plants for engaging suppliers and driving improvements initiates. Identify under performing suppliers and lead efforts to resolve gaps. Lead investigations and cross plant communication for supplier non-conformances that impact material at plant, finished products, and shipped product. Partner with Procurement, R&D and packaging teams in continuous improvement for under performing suppliers. Build a supplier auditing program and identify internal/external resources for auditing. Includes Copacking partner selection, quality performance monitoring and complaint management. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for establishing strategy and executing program to manage quality of Ingredient and Packaging suppliers, including compliance to documentation and performance expectations.  Manage systems and related metrics that support initiatives including Trace Gains and the Supplier Non-Conformance Database.
• Modernize supplier approval program, establish risk based criteria and evaluation standards, and identify technology solutions to improve effectiveness and reduce administrative work.
• Creates scorecards and KPIs and report regularly to the organization.  Coordinate cross functional efforts and response to supplier related incidents with an impact on performance or risk.    Establish role as a trusted partner to manufacturing plants for engaging suppliers and improving the quality of their ingredient and packaging inputs.
• Partner with Procurement, R&D and packaging teams in continuous improvement for under performing suppliers.
• Build and execute a supplier auditing program.  Includes management of copacker quality programs at domestic and international copackers.
• May represent QA Director, VP of Quality and Food Safety and/or company at outside association meetings and/or conferences.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum B.S. Technical Science degree.
• 5 years minimum food industry quality management experience.  
• At least 3 years of direct responsibility for a supplier quality management program.
• People leadership experience preferred.
• FSVP certification preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of Supplier performance monitoring systems and tools.  
• Demonstrated ability to influence internally using KPIs, program development, expertise and partnering to improve supplier quality.  
• Experience with external partners in formulating improvement plans, validation, and navigating challenging situations.    
• Understanding and utilization of technology as a tool to improve effectiveness.