Engineer - Supplier Quality (Food Safety and Quality Assurance)

What You Will Do

Support Freshpet approved supplier and supplier management programs
Lead supplier qualification activities within quality assessments, review of internal test plans, quality management software and related documentation updates
Maintain standards of supplier performance and report on performance
Perform risk assessments based on strong knowledgebase in food safety systems, manufacturing and supply chain
Analyze supplier data and trends; assessing supplier capabilities
Review supplier documentation packages in detail, identifying gaps and risks within information presented
Lead on-site facility audits for suppliers, when required
Suggest and lead continuous improvement projects with suppliers to drive down supply disruptions, increase supply robustness and promote innovation
Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with Freshpet suppliers
Participate proactively with suppliers in improvement projects
Confidently review quality metrics with suppliers, organized presentation in supplier business reviews
Manage raw material nonconformance reporting process, for specified supplier categories
Perform, document and review clear and concise investigations of nonconforming events; directly communicating to suppliers
Promote corrective action driven responses from suppliers
Administer corrective action responses and track effectiveness of responses
Accurately communicate and manage disposition of associated raw material hold and releases
Proactively communicate to larger team when there are response delays or inventory constraints, due to nonconformances
Improve and maintain quality systems software and supplier tracking tools
Exhibits proficiency in quality management software usage, workflow maintenance and supplier interface within system
Act as primary liaison between Freshpet and supplier for quality management set-up and maintenance
Suggest and support enhancements within quality management system
Enforce and improve raw material sampling and testing programs
Collaborate with suppliers on specification alignment and compliance commitment
Assist in interpretation of trend data for raw materials and navigate potential supplier responses
Review new and existing raw material specifications
Support and aid in training of Supplier Quality team members; establishing project work groups as needed
Develop and review SOPs and work instructions for raw material and approved supplier programs
Assume additional related responsibilities as necessary

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Engineering required.
• 3+ years within a Quality Assurance Leadership/Program Management position, proven experience with external relationship management - food manufacturing experience preferred
• Willing to travel up to 30%

How You Will Make An Impact

• Strong documentation and technical writing skills
• Very strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Understands directives and can balance work tasks with minimal oversight
• Exceptional critical thinking
• Facilitate strong supplier relationships, maintaining transparency and trust in exchange of information and data
• Autonomous
• Sound ethics, assertive and takes initiative in promoting Quality standards
• Thorough understanding of FSMA, HACCP, GFSI and compliance in food safety programs
• Intermediate skills in computers with quality databases and trend/statistical analyses

What We Offer

• The range for this position is: $95,000 - $110,000
• At Freshpet, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, basic and optional life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with company match, paid parental leave, pet insurance, tuition assistance, a generous PTO plan and so much more!

Our Commitment To a Diverse Workforce

• Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law (“protected characteristics”).
• Disclaimers
• The salary range provided above is the range of the wages that we will pay for the listed position. A final determination on the wages within this range is based on a number of non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to the required work location, previous work experience, skill set, and wage rates for comparable positions.
• Freshpet is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Freshpet via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Freshpet. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Freshpet as a result of the referral or through other means.
• We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.