Senior Manager, Supplier Quality and Compliance

California Custom Fruits and Flavors; Irwindale (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

California Custom Fruits and Flavors (CCFF) seeks a Senior Manager, Supplier Quality & Compliance to lead supplier risk controls for fruits, ingredients, and packaging. You will oversee audits, COA programs, and supplier performance, while guiding the Regulatory & Compliance Manager and Supplier Quality Coordinator.

Responsibilities include risk assessments, supplier approvals, and cross-functional collaboration with Procurement, Operations, and R&D to ensure safe, compliant ingredients across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related scientific field; master's degree preferred.
• 8+ years of supplier quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, or quality systems experience in food manufacturing, including people or program leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead risk-based incoming raw material and packaging evaluations, including fruits, sweeteners, functional ingredients, and packaging reviews.
• Partner with Procurement and plant leadership on supplier management.
• Own new supplier approval, assigned supplier performance management, and CCFF internal raw material specifications.
• Plan and conduct risk-based supplier audits for ingredient and packaging suppliers; track findings and required corrective actions.
• Lead raw material and material shelf-life review through supplier outreach, technical documentation review, risk assessment, and disposition recommendations.
• Conduct preliminary food safety and quality risk assessments for new ingredients and products through project management discussions and related development reviews.
• Administer TraceGains supplier quality workflows, including supplier setup, approval, COA requirements, and raw material testing setup.
• Lead supplier-related root cause and CAPA investigations associated with plant rejections, customer complaints, or material nonconformances.
• Manage Organic and Kosher compliance for assigned ingredients and support other applicable certification requirements.
• Establish supplier quality KPIs, trend performance, communicate risks, and drive corrective and preventive improvement.
• Set priorities, provide technical direction, and manage performance and development for the Regulatory & Compliance Manager and Supplier Quality Coordinator.
• Partner with Procurement, Operations, R&D, Commercial, and plant Quality teams to ensure consistent, timely risk-based decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Cross-functional

Analytical

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/related

Master's degree preferred

Tools

TraceGains

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

About California Custom Fruits and Flavors

California Custom Fruits & Flavors (CCFF) develops and manufactures custom-formulated specialty ingredients and flavors for leading food brands, retailers, and co-manufacturers. With facilities in California and Indiana, CCFF has delivered innovative, high-quality solutions since 1986.

CCFF is backed by Peak Rock Capital, a middle-market investment firm that partners with management teams to support growth and performance improvement.

Position

The Senior Manager, Supplier Quality & Compliance leads supplier quality and incoming material risk controls across CCFF, with direct responsibility for higher-risk fruit ingredients and packaging. This role manages the Regulatory & Compliance Manager and Supplier Quality Coordinator, strengthens supplier approval and performance systems, and supports food safety and quality risk assessment for new ingredients and new products.

Responsibilities

• Lead risk-based incoming raw material and packaging evaluations, including fruits, sweeteners, functional ingredients, and packaging reviews.
• Partner with Procurement and plant leadership on supplier management.
• Own new supplier approval, assigned supplier performance management, and CCFF internal raw material specifications.
• Plan and conduct risk-based supplier audits for ingredient and packaging suppliers; track findings and required corrective actions.
• Lead raw material and material shelf-life review through supplier outreach, technical documentation review, risk assessment, and disposition recommendations.
• Conduct preliminary food safety and quality risk assessments for new ingredients and products through project management discussions and related development reviews.
• Administer TraceGains supplier quality workflows, including supplier setup, approval, COA requirements, and raw material testing setup.
• Lead supplier-related root cause and CAPA investigations associated with plant rejections, customer complaints, or material nonconformances.
• Manage Organic and Kosher compliance for assigned ingredients and support other applicable certification requirements.
• Establish supplier quality KPIs, trend performance, communicate risks, and drive corrective and preventive improvement.
• Set priorities, provide technical direction, and manage performance and development for the Regulatory & Compliance Manager and Supplier Quality Coordinator.
• Partner with Procurement, Operations, R&D, Commercial, and plant Quality teams to ensure consistent, timely risk-based decisions.

Ideal Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related scientific field; master's degree preferred.
• 8+ years of supplier quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, or quality systems experience in food manufacturing, including people or program leadership.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, FSMA, CFIA, HACCP, GMP, SQF/GFSI, supplier approval, food ingredient risk assessment, and applicable certification requirements.
• Demonstrated expertise in supplier audits, specifications, COA and testing programs, CAPA, root cause analysis, validation, verification, and change management (experience in fruits, sweeteners, functional ingredients a plus).
• Experience assessing food safety, regulatory, allergen, contamination, packaging, and quality risks for raw materials and new products.
• Experience with TraceGains or equivalent supplier quality systems; proficiency with Microsoft Office and data analysis tools.
• Experience utilizing ERP systems to support ingredient traceability, inventory control, and raw material management.
• Strong leadership, project management, analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and cross-functional communication skills.
• Ability to travel to supplier and CCFF locations as business needs require.

Why Join Us

• Be part of a mission-driven food company focused on quality and innovation.
• Competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for career growth.
• Supportive and collaborative work culture.
• Commitment to sustainability, food safety, and ethical sourcing.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All candidates are subject to a criminal background check and standard drug screen. All offers are contingent upon favorable results. California Custom Fruits and Flavors is committed to recruiting, selecting, and developing employees based on individual ability and job performance.

Company Description

About California Custom Fruits and Flavors

Founded in 1986, California Custom Fruits & Flavors (“CCFF”) is a leading developer and manufacturer of custom-formulated specialty ingredients & flavors. CCFF develops tailored solutions for its diverse customer base of brands, retailers, and co-manufacturers across numerous food products and channels. With world‑class facilities in California and Indiana, CCFF has served as a leading partner and innovator of industry‑leading flavors and formulations for nearly four decades.

CCFF is backed by Peak Rock Capital, a leading middle‑market private investment firm that makes equity and debt investments in companies in North America and Europe. Peak Rock's equity investment platform focuses on opportunities where it can support senior management to drive rapid growth and performance improvement, with expertise in corporate carve‑outs and partnering with families and founders seeking first‑time institutional capital.