What are the responsibilities and job description for the Supplier Food Safety & QA Manager position at UNFI?
Purpose:
The Supplier Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager position is part of the Risk and Food Safety Team and will aid the organization to deliver on this critical value – day in and day out. The role is fast-paced and complex and has responsibility across the organization for to drive and lead a world class supplier program to ensure our external partners are proactive and interdependent, looking out for UNFI and its retailer customers, when it comes to food safety. This role supports our supplier management, Brands , and operation partners on all aspects of food safety.
Responsibilities include verifying our suppliers are following food safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements through documentation and on-site reviews
Job Responsibilities:
Food Safety Expert
- Be an expert in Food Safety and be a champion of promoting, communicating, and enforcing our food safety and quality assurance programs
- Be a cultural ambassador of food safety and ensure our suppliers understand the Company’s commitment to providing safe and quality food – without fail – our brand depends on it.
- Be a key advisor to the Supplier and Brands Leadership team so they understand weaknesses, deficiencies, challenges of our supplier portfolio and partner with leaders/suppliers to address any gaps from start to finish.
Develop and Own Food Safety Assessment of Suppliers
- Conduct food safety assessments at supplier locations using updated risk evaluations that are market competitive, compliant with applicable regulations, and best in class practices.
- Manage 3rd party supplier auditing program to confirm assessments are following UNFI’s expectations
- Review and monitor supplier documents to ensure compliance with 3rd party certifications and regulatory requirements. Work collaboratively with suppliers and internal supply team to facilitate suppliers coming into compliance if they have deficiencies. The goal is to get innovative and unique products to market to help us continue to help our customers differentiate themselves in the marketplace while feeling confident that the products they buy from us are safe and wholesome.
- Stay current with all State, Federal, and local regulatory agencies to better understand requirements set forth for our suppliers
Tracking and Reporting
- Utilize document repositories and available metrics to track and measure supplier food safety performance, identifying exceptions to outstanding performance and influencing leadership to resolve specific and cultural opportunities
- Produce and present regular reports that measure and track our performance against goals and targets for supplier compliance.
- Provide food safety training and support to both internal and external supplier partners
- Collaborate with supplier partners to ensure compliance during facility changes and/or new site developments
- Investigate product quality and compliance issues (i.e. tampering, adulteration, mislabeling, etc.)
- Maintain active working relationships with all appropriate industry and regulatory bodies
- Build working relationships (both internal and external) with supplier partners to drive a better
- Consistently drive and execute innovation for food safety messaging, development of food safety culture, and nurture the belief that food safety is and should always be everyone’s top priority.
- This role will work extremely closely with Food Safety & Quality Assurance group and Supplier Group. It is imperative that the candidate is able to develop effective relationships with both these groups including smooth and regular communication, effective problem solving, and relevant reporting.
- Performs other relevant job duties as required.
Job Requirements:
Education/ Certifications: (Required & Preferred)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Food Science, Public Health, Environmental Science or related field preferred
- HACCP, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual, and/or SQF Practitioner certifications desired
Experience:
- 5-7 yrs related experience in related food fields.
- Experience with interpreting state and federal regulations, and maintaining working relationships with industry and regulatory officials
Knowledge:
- Familiarity with FDA Food Code, Food Safety Modernization Act and Seafood HACCP requirements
- Familiarity with GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) schemes.
- Working knowledge of Federal Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHA) is beneficial
Skills/ Abilities:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to speak effectively before groups
- Ability to balance multiple priorities and ensure significant issues are communicated clearly to relevant stakeholders in timely manner
- Strong analytical skills required for data interpretation and analysis
- Computer skills in word-processing and spreadsheet software preferred
- Must be able to interface effectively with a wide variety of personnel
- Possess ability to communicate concepts, systems, procedures, etc., in a training environment
- Experience in training large groups is helpful
- Must possess leadership ability to inspire others to achieve desired results
- Flexible and adaptable to learning and understanding new technologies
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
Additional Information
- Schedule: Full-time
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