Sr. Manager, QA - Supplier Quality

Heinz; Glenview (IL); Remote; USD 118,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Sr. Quality Manager to lead the Supplier Quality program. This role involves managing a dedicated team, ensuring compliance with food safety standards, and driving continuous improvement in supplier performance. You will engage with cross-functional partners to align on business goals and deliver against strategic objectives. If you are passionate about quality assurance and thrive in a dynamic environment, this opportunity is perfect for you. Join a company that values innovation and consumer focus, where your contributions can make a significant impact on the supply chain and overall quality standards.

Benefits

Health insurance

401k

Paid Time Off

Flexible Work Arrangements

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• 5-7 years experience in Food Safety, Quality, or related field.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills required.

Responsibilities

• Manage North America Zone Supplier Quality program and team.
• Conduct audits and ensure compliance with quality standards.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Project Management

Communication

Analytical Skills

Decision Making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science

Microbiology or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

GFSI audit schemes

Job description

Job Purpose

The Sr. Quality Manager is responsible for management of the Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) North America Zone Supplier Quality program and Supplier Quality Team, with the expectation of delivering against the organizational Food Safety/Quality and Business strategic goals and commitments. The Supplier Quality Manager will actively plan, coordinate and conduct Supplier Quality program initiatives, including on-site supplier assessments to support KHC supply chain initiatives and verify compliance to the Kraft Heinz Supplier Playbook and Supplier Quality Expectations (SQE) manual. The Supplier Quality Manager will provide leadership, guidance and management of NA Supplier Quality policies and programs, ensuring Quality & Food Safety Compliance of all NA suppliers (All incoming Ingredients and Packaging). This position is responsible for leadership in the areas of supplier quality strategy and program execution, capability building of Supplier Quality team members, suppliers and cross-functional partners such as procurement and R&D to promote assurance of the execution of KHC Supplier Quality policies and programs. This role will play a key part in delivering against Supplier Quality strategic and program objectives to unlock new possibilities in our supply chain and ensure the end-to-end quality. This position is also expected to drive continuous improvement in both KHC Supplier Quality KPIs, business objectives, and KHC supplier performance, demonstrative of KHC values: "we are consumer obsessed and dare to do better every day".

Job Success: Delivering against KHC FSQ and organizational Supplier Quality KPIs, strategic and business commitments, including but not limited to: 100% Supplier Audit Compliance (per SOP).

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Responsible for managing the North America Zone Supplier Quality program and team members.
• Provide managerial oversight to Supplier Quality Team members, including but not limited to: guidance, support, on-boarding and upskilling, job shadowing, training, coaching (provide constructive/developmental feedback). Ensure team delivers against Supplier Quality commitments.
• Responsible for managing an assigned portion of suppliers, including on-site audits, desk top audits, supplier quality documentation review, and support to KHC factories for supplier related non-conformances.
• Desk top audit Supplier documentation reviews including but not limited to: KHC Supplier Questionnaire, Supplier HACCP & Food Defense plans, and 3rd party audits.
• Review Food Fraud vulnerabilities within their portfolio.
• Engage with KHC factories impacted by Supplier performance (i.e., Supplier Non-Conformances) within portfolio and seek improvement from suppliers.
• Engage Procurement and Business partners to align on overall annual business goals, KPIs, and rituals and routines for the Supplier Quality team (and specific category).
• Manage Relationships with our 2nd party Contracted Auditors.
• Monitor, track and report progress against Supplier Quality strategy, goals and KPIs to key stakeholders (i.e. Procurement Buyers, FSQ, Procurement and Operations leadership), as requested and/or through regular rituals and routines.
• Monitor industry Quality and Food Safety events and determine impact to Kraft Heinz.
• Support supplier related special situations fact finding and resolution. Ensure resolution of chronic and/or serious supplier quality issues and develop programs and strategies to prevent future issues.
• Provides Training in systems related to Supplier Quality Management.
• Provides analytical data in performance on key Supplier Quality Management KPIs.
• Provide input to KHC Supplier Quality Playbook and Supplier Quality Expectations manual.
• Support Corporate GFSI audits pertaining to Supplier Quality Management.
• Leadership and oversight for Kraft Heinz strategic programs (such as: QMS design and deployment, Incoming Material Inspection).

Expected Experience & Required Skills

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related field.
• 5-7 years related experience in Food Safety, Quality, Sanitation, Regulatory, Auditing, R&D or related field.
• Experience with CPQ Supplier Quality Programs (ingredients and/or packaging) is an asset.
• Auditing experience either internal or external is an asset.
• Strong people leadership and management experience in hiring, training and developing outstanding talent.
• Strong collaboration skills with a proven ability to build and maintain strong and effective relationships with cross-functional, cross-cultural project teams, internal and external suppliers, and business partners across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to influence key internal (both functional and cross functional) and external business partners, assess and manage risk, and communicate across the supply chain required.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities, projects and people.
• Experience and familiarity with regulatory requirements (FDA, USDA) is an asset.
• Lean Six Sigma and/or fundamental statistics (i.e., DMAIC Process, DFSS, MSA, Sampling Procedures) is an asset.
• ASQ certification is an asset.
• Knowledge of GFSI audit schemes and/or ISO 9001 is an asset.
• Familiarity with FDA intentional adulteration and food fraud vulnerability assessment process is an asset.
• Required to travel extensively throughout North America (up to 70%) and occasionally globally as needed.
• Information Management - has solid knowledge in the use and features of the suite of Microsoft package. Can work with integrated databases and generate neatly formatted numerical and graphical reports.
• Communications - is able to communicate (verbal and written) clearly, accurately and effectively in formal and informal settings. Listens well in one-on-one and group settings. Realizes when information needs to be communicated to appropriate parties.
• Interpersonal - knows how to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with Directors and employees at all levels. Able to participate on team projects by contributing ideas that add value and completing team assignments. Is able to give and receive feedback constructively and modify behavior accordingly.
• Project Management - is able to set goals on projects in collaboration with others. Remains organized while conducting various activities and coordinates own work efforts to stay on schedule. Recognizes when projects are not meeting expectations and offers recommendations.
• Decision Quality - can autonomously identify concerns, differentiate risks, and arrive at good solutions independently or with involvement and support from others. Makes well-informed decisions and recognizes the need for new or modified approaches. Designs and completes basic quantitative and qualitative analyses to evaluate and display various types of information and data. Reviews information for accuracy and completeness and draws accurate conclusions from data.
• Stand Alone – ability to leverage data, observations (i.e., during audit), and experience to identify and cite risks, differentiate risk (i.e., food safety, regulatory, quality, business disruption), and clearly articulate concerns, risks and potential solutions to stakeholders.

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is considered a Remote based role that can be performed from a home office. Additionally, this role requires willingness to travel up to 70%.

Physical Requirements

Physical demands include but not limited to:

Frequent – activity or conditions sustained 1/3 to 2/3 of working hours; upright stance, keyboard or text input; Sedentary – occasionally exerting 0-10 lbs. of force, limited movement from workstation for brief periods of time.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain all duties or responsibilities that are required of the role. Duties or responsibilities may change or be added with or without notice.

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range: $118,400.00 - $148,000.00

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments

• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training

• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program, Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs

• Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Employee's Home - National, Glenview R&D Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact [e-mail] for assistance.