Product Quality Specialists

About the role

Blount Fine Foods is a family-owned and operated manufacturer, marketer, and developer of premium fresh prepared foods. We bring restaurant-quality products to America, including single-serve grab-n-go fresh soups, mac & cheese, and entrées in grocery stores, as well as for hot bars and restaurants. We create specialty-certified products such as organic, gluten-free, and low sodium. Join a proven team for growth, success, and a satisfying career.

The Supplier Quality Specialist will manage the supplier management system (Safety Chain), including setting up items and suppliers, requesting documents, and updating trackers for raw material approvals and supplier complaints.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple raw material categories and act as the main quality contact for assigned suppliers, handling day-to-day food safety and quality issues.
• Independently manage and approve raw material suppliers by conducting comprehensive technical reviews of food safety documentation, including COAs, allergen statements, process flow diagrams, HACCP plans, in line with FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements.
• Ensure suppliers comply with FDA requirements/regulations, 21CFR preventive controls for Human Food, GMPs, and applicable USDA requirements.
• Lead supplier non-conformances investigation when materials do not meet specifications, including technical review meetings, risk discussions, and corrective action follow-ups.
• Facilitate technical review meetings with cross-functional and multi-site teams (Quality, R&D, Procurement, Operations, Regulatory) to assess impact, determine root cause, and evaluate risk to production and customers.
• Review, assess, and approve supplier CAPA responses, ensuring corrective actions are sustainable and compliant with FDA, USDA, GMP, and GFSI standards, driving CAPA closure within 30–60 days on average.
• Coordinate and participate in on-site and remote supplier audits, including audit preparation, execution, documentation review, and follow-up on audit findings under GFSI-recognized food safety schemes such as SQF, BRCGS, or FSSC 22000.
• Support warehouse and internal audits, responding to 20+ document requests per audit cycle related to supplier traceability and compliance.
• Support multiple manufacturing plants with supplier quality oversight and issue resolution.
• Perform raw material and supplier risk assessments, considering factors such as ingredient risk, allergen exposure, supplier history, and process controls, as required under FSMA risk-based supply chain programs.
• Contribute to the drafting and revision of corporate FSQA policies, SOPs, and work instructions, supporting continuous improvement.
• Develop, review, and manage raw material shelf-life programs to ensure compliance with internal quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Quality, R&D, and Supply Chain teams to assess risk associated with expired or aging materials and implement disposition strategies.
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure alignment between internal systems and supplier-declared shelf-life information.
• Support manufacturing sites and Customer Service teams in investigating customer complaints linked to vendor-supplied raw materials.
• Coordinate communication with suppliers to obtain technical insights, supporting documentation, and corrective actions.
• Review and maintain raw material specifications internally to ensure alignment with product requirements, regulatory standards, and operational capabilities.
• Conduct regular specification comparisons between internal requirements and supplier specifications to identify gaps, inconsistencies, or outdated parameters.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement specification changes through formal change control processes.

Food Safety and Quality Responsibilities

• Complete required paperwork accurately and honestly, where applicable.
• Adhere to posted GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices) when working within the production facility.
• Report suspicious packages, activities, and individuals, where applicable.
• If monitoring CCPs (Critical Control Points), must be trained in HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) and adhere to approved HACCP plan(s).
• Oversee the execution of validation and verification activities for food safety programs.
• Monitor and enforce quality control points using control charts and culinary ability.
• Carry out various batch control tests and product sampling to ensure process is in control.
• Develop and manage quality systems, including specification development, approval, and review with R&D or Culinary Assurance.
• Perform sensory evaluation of key ingredients and attributes.
• Conduct Statistical Process Control (SPC) analysis of key analytical data.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects both individually and as a team member.
• Log data, report trends, and communicate continuous improvement opportunities to Process Engineering.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or higher in food science, biology, chemistry, or microbiology.
• Working knowledge of FDA, USDA, GMP, HACCP, and food allergens.
• HACCP and PCQI certification preferred.
• Knowledgeable of GFSI audit schemes.
• Strong organization and communication skills.
• Highly organized, collaborative, and self-motivated.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• 401k with company match.
• Paid time off including vacation, sick time, and holidays.
• Education Assistance Program.
• Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability.
• Discounts on Blount products at company retail location.
• Discretionary Annual Bonus Program.