Supplier Quality Specialist

Select Custom Solutions (SCS); La Crosse (WI); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Onsite gym

Career Advancement Opportunities

Leadership Development Opportunities

Sustainability initiatives

Quality and safety focus

Job summary

Select Custom Solutions in La Crosse, WI or Remote, US is hiring a Supplier Quality Specialist to support supplier management, conduct audits, and maintain TraceGains documentation with risk-based decisions.

In this role you will assist in supplier qualification, ensure compliance, and help drive continuous improvement in product quality and safety across our contract manufacturing operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a science field is required or equivalent experience.
• Minimum three years of quality experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• HACCP and SQF/PCQI certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Travel to suppliers and Co-Manufacturers to conduct audits as needed.
• Maintain supplier records in TraceGains and review risk assessments.
• Assist in supplier documentation and ensure appropriate controls are in place.
• Support CAPA and change control processes within the Quality program.

Skills

Auditing

Risk assessment

Communication

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or other Science related field

Tools

TraceGains

ConXus

CARs

Job description

Shape What’s Next

At Select Custom Solutions, we don’t just make ingredients— we create possibilities. From La Crosse, WI, our team brings innovation and expertise to contract manufacturing, branded dairy and non-dairy ingredients, custom blends, and ingredient distribution. With modern facilities and cutting-edge capabilities, we help some of the world’s most trusted brands deliver products that make a difference in people’s lives. With a strong focus on growth, innovation, and excellence, Select Custom Solutions offers opportunities to be part of meaningful work that impacts industries worldwide. Whether you’re working hands‑on in manufacturing or supporting operations, your contributions help drive the future of food and nutrition. We’re proud to be partnered with Select Milk Producers, one of the nation’s most progressive dairy cooperatives. With over 110 family‑owned dairies and multiple processing plants and joint ventures nationwide, our partnership connects us to a powerful network driving the future of food and nutrition. Join us—and help shape what’s next.

What Select offers you:

Comprehensive benefits package focusing on your physical, financial and emotional health to include the following perks as well as the standard benefit offerings (health, dental, vision, etc.):

• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Off Uniform Program
• Shoe Allowance
• Onsite gym
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Leadership Development Opportunities to support our local communities
• Chance to apply best practices in sustainability and environmental initiatives
• Commitment to producing high quality nutritious products and providing nourishment around the world

What this role is all about:

We are looking for a Supplier Quality Specialist in La Crosse, WI or Remote, US. Schedule: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Location: Onsite, Hybrid, or Remote – completely your choice Travel: Up to 20-30%

The Supplier Quality Specialist assists the Supplier Quality Supervisor in the supplier management program. The Supplier Quality Specialist helps conduct supplier documentation analysis and maintenance in TraceGains, assisting with assessing risk of new suppliers/ingredients and packaging, and audits suppliers when necessary.

Job Duties:

• Travel to suppliers and Co-Manufacturers to conduct audits as needed.
• Assist Supplier Quality Supervisor and/or Quality Assurance Manager in maintaining compliance with our supplier management program; act as the point person for specific programs as assigned by the Supplier Quality Supervisor/Quality Assurance Manager.
• Assist in ensuring supplier and item level documentation in TraceGains are being appropriately gathered, and reviewed; using a risk analysis approach, determine whether approval or denial is appropriate.
• Correctly document risk assessments in TraceGains along with ensuring appropriate controls are put in place.
• Help build and maintain connections in TraceGains and respond/investigate any declined TraceGains connections for more efficient document gathering.
• Assist Supplier Quality Supervisor in monitoring supplier email alerts that come through TraceGains and respond/manage supplier feedback in TraceGains.
• Continually work in TraceGains to gather and review all expired, missing, and awaiting approval supplier and item level documents for existing items.
• Ensure tasks assigned in ConXus are completed in a timely manner.
• Assess food fraud risk utilizing SmartAlerts in TraceGains for all items assigned.
• Help with compiling information and submitting supplier complaints through CARs in TraceGains when facility issues result in supplier complaints.
• Help reduce food safety risk through supplier audits by periodically executing in-person audits and virtual audits.
• Improve Select Custom Solutions Quality and Food safety programs through continuous evaluation of Supplier(s).
• Ensure change control records are entered as needed.
• Assist Quality department in CAPA program maintenance where applicable.
• Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Stop any observed unsafe acts and obey facility safety rules and procedures.
• Correct or report any observed safety hazards.
• Support safety policies and programs.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications:

• Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or other Science related field required.
• Equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered.
• Experience Required: Minimum three (3) years of experience in Quality at a Food Manufacturing business required.
• Certification/Licensure Required: HACCP certification preferred. SQF Practitioner preferred. PCQI certification preferred.

Where you’ll be working, if onsite/hybrid:

Our La Crosse, WI, plant is home to approximately 330 employees. This facility supplies the food, beverage, and nutritional industries with innovative functional ingredients and superior quality contract manufacturing services. La Crosse, WI, is nestled between the Mississippi River and the rolling river bluffs. This town is home to a plethora of colleges, high-quality health care, community events, and cultural opportunities. If you want to enjoy outdoor activities there are many opportunities, such as hiking, cycling, skiing, and boating. The town hosts multiple events annually and is famously known for their Oktoberfest celebration as well as offering a minor league baseball team. Visit the La Crosse Chamber site https://www.lacrossechamber.com/ for more information on local events.

AA/EEO – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

AA/EEO – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

As you pour milk over your cereal or add it your coffee, do you ever stop and think where does it come from? I know, silly question — cows! But have you ever thought further, like where do these cows live? How are they treated? Select Milk Producers, Inc. takes that guesswork out. You can rest assured that the more than 10 billion pounds of milk that Select Milk produces each year comes from innovative sustainable farming and extraordinary animal care and comfort. Select Milk formed in 1994 out of a desire by a group of family dairy producers to develop a national footprint for the perfect milk. Founded on honesty, trust, and quality, Select Milk believes in providing their customers with the highest quality fresh milk and doesn’t settle for anything less. Select Milk believes in operating all aspects of their business with the highest standards, including its cooperative of 99 family dairy farm members. "We strive to go above and beyond what’s expected in providing for our families, leading our employees, caring for our land and animals, serving our customers, producing quality milk, and serving one another. This commitment is more than our business, it’s in our culture and our character. We believe in being accountable, in doing what’s right, in performing at our best, in setting a higher standard."