Vendor Compliance Manager

Gordon Food Service; Wyoming (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Gordon Food Service seeks a Vendor Compliance Manager to lead a team ensuring vendor adherence to NAICG quality standards, GMPs, and FDA/CFIA labeling rules. The role oversees audits, supplier qualifications, and corrective actions for both domestic and international facilities.

You will guide cross-functional staff, maintain regulatory knowledge, and drive continuous improvement in product quality and safety.

Qualifications

• 7 years in food manufacturing, distribution, or quality auditing.
• Alternative: capable to perform essential functions with equivalent education/experience.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects.
• High attention to detail with strong follow-through.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Represent the culture of GFS with tact and integrity.
• Proficient with spreadsheets, databases, and office apps.
• Excel proficiency (intermediate-advanced).

Responsibilities

• Assess adequacy of suppliers' Food Safety and QA systems.
• Review HACCP plans of processors (domestic and international).
• Execute product withdrawals, recalls or market recoveries; verify disposition of QA held product.
• Guide NAICG team during deviations or risk identified related to food safety/quality.
• Maintain knowledge of regulatory requirements for approval of foreign facilities.
• Audit supplier processing and warehousing facilities to assess compliance.
• Manage staff who develop, maintain, and revise product specifications.
• Establish quality systems to track finished products for compliance.
• Develop sampling and inspection protocols; conduct sampling/testing.

Education

Bachelor degree in Business Administration, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related

Job description

Position Summary

The Vendor Compliance Manager leads a team to approve and manage vendor compliance to quality standards, good manufacturing practices, sanitation, and adherence to the specifications of the North American Imports and Commodities Group (NAICG). Also oversees the timeliness and performance of approved third parties that are contracted to verify vendor compliance to international Food Safety standards (i.e. BRC, SQF, ISO, etc.). Conducts periodic on-site audits of vendor processing and warehouse facilities on an as needed basis to personally evaluate and confirm compliance to NAICG requirements. Uses information supplied by vendors and approved third-party contractors to analyze data and identify opportunities and improve product quality.

How you will make an impact

• Assesses adequacy of suppliers Food Safety and Quality Assurance systems.


• Reviews and critiques domestic and foreign processor HACCP plans.


• Executes product withdrawals, recalls or market recoveries, and verifies proper disposition of all QA held product.


• Provides guidance and leadership to the North American Imports and Commodities Team in situations where deviations have occurred or a potential risk has been identified related to food safety and/or quality attributes.


• Maintains current knowledge of regulatory requirements for approval of foreign manufacturing facilities to supply the United States and/or Canada.


• Audits food supplier processing and warehousing facilities, both domestic and internationally, to assess compliance against specified standards related to food processing.


• Manages technical staff who develop, maintain, and revise product specifications.


• Establishes quality systems and programs designed to track and evaluate finished products to confirm compliance to specifications.


• Develops product sampling and inspection protocols.


• Manages technical staff to conduct sampling and testing to ensure products meet all NAICG specifications.


• Oversees staff who review and approve product labels and proofs to assure compliance with FDA/CFIA labeling regulations and company specifications.


• Manages staff that maintain Vendor Compliance Log, which may include follow-up with suppliers to obtain required information; staff also ensures all vendor files are complete and up to date.


• Manager assists when compliance issues are escalated to his attention.


• Reviews staff analysis of consumer complaints and any other product data to identify food safety and product quality trends and works to develop action plans to address and resolve issues.


• Manages relationships with third party firms conducting food safety and product quality audits on behalf of NAICG.


• Interviews, hires, trains, and retains staff.


• Conducts performance monitoring of staff, initiates follow-through with disciplinary action and termination in consultation with Human Resources when appropriate for the department.


• Mentors, motivates, and develops staff and serves as a role model and resource to them.


• Performs other duties as assigned.

What you'll bring to the table

• 7 years of previous food manufacturing, food service distribution, or quality auditing experience.


• In lieu of the specified education and experience requirements, a proven capability to perform the essential functions of the job, as demonstrated by an equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant work experience may be considered.


• Bachelor degree in Business Administration, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related preferred.


• Proven ability to successfully manage multiple projects.


• Demonstration of high level of detail management and follow through.


• Effective organizational and time management skills.


• Able to represent the culture of GFS through tact, diplomacy and integrity.


• Knowledge of spreadsheet, database, word processing, presentation, e-mail applications.


• Intermediate to Advanced proficiency in Excel.


• Ability to quickly learn proprietary business and reporting systems.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Employment Opportunity is a matter of policy at Gordon Food Service, Inc. and we are committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please submit your request to [e-mail] and use the words "Accommodation Request" in your subject line. All Gordon Food Service locations are tobacco-free. Gordon Food Service is a drug-free workplace and conducts pre-employment drug tests.

Why join us

Gordon Food Service values our customers and understands that their success is largely dependent upon our workforce. To demonstrate our commitment to our partnership, we will require any candidate who works for a Gordon Food Service customer to provide a letter of support from their management if they are selected for the interview process.

For more than 125 years, Gordon Food Service has delivered uncompromised quality and heartfelt service. From a butter-and-egg delivery service, it has grown into the largest family-operated foodservice business in North America. Today, the company serves customers from restaurants, to healthcare and education, across the U.S. and Canada through its distribution network and more than 180 retail stores.