Supplier and Raw Materials Technologist

Valeo Foods Group; Pontefract; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in the grocery sector is seeking a dedicated Supplier Quality Manager. This role involves building strong supplier relationships, managing risks, and ensuring compliance with food safety and quality standards. The successful candidate will work closely with procurement teams to drive continuous improvement and support customer audits. With a focus on ethical practices and supplier management, this position offers an exciting opportunity to impact the quality of products in the supply chain. Join a dynamic team and contribute to the success of a leading brand in the food industry!

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science or related discipline required.
• 5+ years experience in FMCG or similar environment.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers.
• Support risk management and supplier assessments.
• Conduct supplier audits and address quality issues.

Skills

Supplier Management

Risk Management

Auditing

Communication Skills

Attention to Detail

Education

Degree in Food Science or related discipline

5 years’ experience in FMCG or similar environment

Job description

Valeo Snackfoods is the combination of Kettle Foods, Tangerine, Big Bear and It’s All Good and is one of the UK’s top 100 grocery brands. It is headquartered in Norwich and Pontefract and employs over 2,000 people. Over the past few years, we have strengthened our portfolio to include the Metcalfe’s popcorn brand and Yellow Chips in Emmeloord, Netherlands. The business in the UK and Europe generates revenues of over £280 million.

Job Description

Build, develop and maintain effective relationships to ensure effective management of our suppliers and our raw materials. Working in partnership with the procurement team through a risk and performance based approach to manage food safety, quality, food fraud and ethical risks in our supply base. Collaboratively leading and driving continuous improvement in our supply base and raw materials.

Key Accountabilities

• Risk Management and Supplier Assessment:
• Build strong relationships with suppliers.
• Ensure effective management of our supply base to meet Valeo Foods, customer and third party standards.
• Support to ensure where appropriate all supply chains are mapped out and we have visibility of risks.
• Support the maintenance of the VACCP for our suppliers and raw materials.
• Ensure suppliers are compliant with the ETI base code and on Sedex.
• Work with HR to assess supplier Ethical SAQ’s.
• Evaluate ethical risks during audits and visits.
• Support NPD activity and requests for samples.
• Support the site technical team on raw material and supplier related quality issues.
• Support the team with quality issues related to our raw materials.
• Work closely with the Procurement team to support negotiations and cost saving opportunities.
• Build effective relationships with customer technical teams to share expertise and knowledge providing confidence in our controls.
• Ensure we meet customer policies and COP’s.
• Support customer visits and meetings to provide knowledge and expertise.
• Support the site team during customer and BRC audits.

Key Tasks

• Work cross functionally to help establish testing/surveillance requirements.
• Identify the risk based and customer compliance intake checks for the sites.
• Support on traceability and mass balance in the supply base.
• Maintain the VACCP studies.
• Maintain supplier Sedex compliance and work with HR to establish any risks.
• Conduct supplier risk assessments and scorecards.
• Conduct supplier audits in line with the risk based audit schedule.
• Address any supplier quality issues and non-conformances.
• Highlight any new heightened risk suppliers to the Supplier and Raw Materials Technical Manager.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Food Science or related discipline and/or experience Min 5 years’ experience in FMCG or similar environment.
• BRC Compliance and audits aware.
• Experience in supplier management.
• Auditing experience.
• Good understanding of the manufacturing process.
• Ability to travel across our sites (inc Norwich, Pontefract, Gateahead).

Key Attributes

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Great at building relationships internally and externally.
• Diligent and attention to detail.
• A drive to succeed and “hands on” approach.