Supplier Quality Specialist

Job Summary:

Responsible for evaluating incoming materials against the OINA standard and reviewing Certificates of Analysis for conformity to specification.  This role will also be responsible for testing and data input into OINA systems to track and trend material inputs for operational use and supplier compliance.  This role is also responsible for identification of supplier nonconformance and the creation, submittal and follow up on SCAR.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Inspect, sample and analyze our materials and rework in third party warehouses and OINA facilities to evaluate and disposition them.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, R&D/Tech Service and Supply Chain to ensure that problematic ingredients are used in the right products at an appropriate level. Or, if necessary, work with Supply Chain to return to supplier or to dispose of the problematic item.
• Create and share reports, analyzing the type of non-conformances (including compositional, microbiological, flavor, appearance etc) their frequencies, trends and quantities involved and impacts to the business or our customers.
• Maintain a supplier/product risk assessment and adjust sampling frequency based on this as necessary.
• Liaise with Supply Chain and suppliers to assess potential ingredient suitability and to ensure that where appropriate, ingredient non-conformances and corrective/preventative actions plans are documented and managed.
• Evaluate aged inventory and collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, R&D and FSQA to disposition it in an efficient manner to minimize waste.
• Mentor others, including Quality, Operations, Sourcing and R&D teammates in assessing suitability of ingredient cheeses for specific finished products.

 Required Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced to professional skills with Microsoft ™ office tools
• Excellent verbal, analytical, organizational, and written skills
• Experience in lab methods, sampling methodology and statistics a plus.
• Write professional reports, prepare presentations and other business correspondence
• Work as a member of a team
• Uphold confidentiality of sensitive information
• High attention to detail, maintain excellent attendance 

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and ability to travel 20-40% of the time.
• Strong oral, listening, written and electronic communication skills in order to communicate with all levels of the organization.
• Calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, averages, density, area, circumference, and volume with accuracy and ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions given in written, oral or diagram form.
• Critically analyze processes and procedures to identify and assess potential food safety hazards and quality defects.
• Excellent people skills with ability to work with individuals from different disciplines
• Document management

Education and Experience:

• 5+ years experience in a food manufacturing environment or experience in a technical support area such as Food Safety & Quality, and Product Development
• Experience with FDA, USDA and Dairy
• Knowledge of FSMA, CFR, and regulatory requirements a plus
• Preferred Qualifications include: PCQI registration, HACCP certification, direct Audit Leadership experience and Lean Six sigma and/or Project management experience.