Manager, Vendor Quality & Food Safety

Description

• The VQFS Manager oversees the evaluation process for Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), and non-commodity vendors to determine the QFS System compliance with industry regulations and company standards. 
• Identify and address vendor quality issues with raw materials, packaging materials and ingredients in collaboration with operations/purchasing/ supply chain teams and partner to develop KPI metrics as part of the vendor scorecard program.
• Drive the initial non-commodity and CoMan approval process to ensure compliance of QFS system with ofi standards.
• Partner with Food & Beverage Solutions groups, including Innovation, QFS, Operations, Procurement, and other Business partners; and with the ofi-Logistic Importing offices to assess foreign vendors before foods are entering to the USA supply chain, confirming compliance with regulated FSVP requirements.
• Provide preliminary evaluation of vendors Through desk-top QFS audit review existing and new prospective foreign vendors and CMOs for ofi, and in consultation with the manager, align with business partners to grant the QFS approval to those who can meet the company QFS expectations and standards.
• Critically review the vendor QFS documentation that is being requested from vendors for the approval, on-going approval and at least on annual basis, including but not limited to QFS system documents and records, specifications, and COA requirements according to the level of risk.
• Perform on-site QFS System audits to pre-approved vendors and Co-Man, as identified by risk assessment.
• Review overall performance and periodic risk assessment of current foreign vendors and Co-Mans to determine if ofi QFS standards continue to be met.
• Serve as liaison between ofi and foreign vendors and Co-Mans to resolve inquiries, complaints, and work on QFS related projects. Review vendor complaint responses and investigate reoccurring issues and complaints of serious nature.

• Research economically motivated incidents (Food Fraud) related with regional projects and report them to the region to update required hazard analysis. 

• Demonstrate strong organizational skills, team-working abilities and technical knowledge in manufacturing quality and regulatory requirements.
• Interact with VQFS regional personnel, and to ensure compliance with the global VQFS expectations. Making available all related VQFSM (Vendor QFS Management) information on the global ofi platform. 
• Will act as the regional SME for consistent implementation of the global ofi VFSQM platform (QuEST). 

• Must have 7+ years of experience in Quality Assurance and Food Safety Management Systems; building and/ or maintaining QFS management programs in compliance with the FSVP - FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (FSMA) and recognized GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiatives) schemes in the food and beverage industry.
• Experience as internal QFS auditor and with GMPs (good manufacturing practices) inspections.
• Preventive Control Qualified Individual (PCQI), certification received within the last 5 years.
• Must be able to accurately write and review QFS System documents and keep the documents current.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% of the time is required for audits to food manufacturing environments, observe and verify critical to food safety and quality activities.
• A working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point is required. 
• Getting familiarity with different food ingredients to facilitate understanding of the  ofi products, raw materials, process, and methods are definite assets. 
• The candidate should demonstrate inquisitive nature, open-minded, able to work independently and as part of a team, creative, personable, and assertive.