Supplier Quality & Compliance Sr. Manager

CS Recruiting; Irwindale (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

CS Recruiting is seeking a Supplier Quality & Compliance Sr. Manager in Irwindale, CA. This full-time, hybrid role leads risk-based evaluations of raw materials, packaging, and supplier audits to ensure safety and compliance.

The position partners with Procurement, plant leadership, and R&D to drive CAPA, supplier qualifications, and KPI-driven improvements. The role requires 8+ years in supplier quality or related fields, strong knowledge of FDA/FSMA/GFSI and certification programs, and

Qualifications

• 8+ years in supplier quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, or quality systems in food manufacturing.
• Experience leading supplier audits, COA/testing programs, CAPA, root-cause analysis, validation/verification, change management.
• Experience with supplier qualification, risk assessments, and materials/specifications management.
• Ability to travel to supplier and CCFF locations as needed.
• Knowledge of FDA/FSMA, GMP, SQF/GFSI, and related certification requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead risk-based evaluations for incoming raw materials and packaging.
• Own supplier approval, performance management, and internal specs.
• Plan and conduct risk-based supplier audits and track corrective actions.
• Lead shelf-life reviews, material risk assessments, and disposition recommendations.
• Manage TraceGains workflows: supplier setup, COA requirements, testing setup.
• Lead root-cause and CAPA investigations related to plant rejections or complaints.
• Ensure Organic and Kosher compliance and support other certifications.
• Establish supplier quality KPIs and communicate risks for corrective improvements.
• Provide technical direction and develop the Regulatory & Compliance team.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Cross-functional communication

Supplier quality oversight

Risk assessment

Audits & CAPA

TraceGains proficiency

Microsoft Office / data analysis

ERP systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field

Tools

TraceGains

Microsoft Office

ERP systems

Job description

Supplier Quality & Compliance Sr. Manager

• Location: Irwindale, California
• Type: Direct Hire
• Job 12412

The Position

Job Title: Supplier Quality & Compliance Sr. Manager

Job Type: Full-time; Hybrid

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.

Experience

• 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.

Location

Irwindale, CA

Compensation Details

This position offers a competitive base salary and bonus