Supplier Quality Assurance Specialist

Company Information  

At Richelieu Foods, we are dedicated to a culture of belonging for everyone. Driven by our values of ownership, respect, and growth, we put people, safety, and quality above all else -- delicious pizza, outstanding service, and solid customer relationships are what happens as a result. 

Richelieu Foods, Inc. is a leading national private label and contract packing food manufacturer focused on frozen pizza. We have two manufacturing facilities located in IL and WI. We provide products to many national retailers, wholesalers, distributors, club and mass stores, as well as industrial accounts including other food manufacturers. 

Job Summary: 

The Supplier Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for ensuring that all ingredients, raw materials, packaging materials, and suppliers meet Richelieu Foods Inc. (RFI) food safety, quality, regulatory, and customer requirements across all manufacturing locations.

This position supports supplier qualification, risk management, compliance verification, performance monitoring, and issue resolution to ensure a robust supplier quality program. The role works closely with Procurement, Operations, Research & Development (R&D), Regulatory Affairs, and Quality teams to protect the business, support customer expectations, and drive continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Supplier Qualification & Approval

• Support the onboarding, qualification, and approval of new ingredient and packaging suppliers.
• Review supplier documentation, including specifications, food safety plans, certifications, audit reports, and regulatory compliance records.
• Verify supplier compliance with RFI food safety and quality standards.
• Maintain the Approved Supplier List (ASL) and ensure supplier documentation remains current and complete.
• Support ingredient and packaging material review, approval, and release activities.
• Assist with Out-of-Specification (OOS) investigations and Disposition Authorization (DA) documentation.

Supplier Risk Management

• Execute and maintain supplier risk assessment and segmentation programs.
• Evaluate supplier risk based on factors including product category, country of origin, manufacturing process, audit history, and regulatory exposure.
• Support the implementation of risk-based monitoring programs, including audit frequency, documentation review, and performance evaluations.
• Review and support shelf-life extension requests, product releases, and hold decisions.
• Partner with the Quality Systems Manager to continuously improve supplier risk assessment methodologies and oversight processes.

Supplier Compliance & Documentation Management

• Review and verify supplier compliance with applicable regulatory and food safety requirements, including FSMA, GMPs, HACCP, and GFSI-recognized standards.
• Manage supplier documentation, including:
  • Certificates of Analysis (COAs)
  • Product specifications
  • Allergen declarations
  • Letters of Guarantee (LOGs)
  • Insurance certificates
  • Food safety certifications
• Support COA review, follow-up, approval, and compliance tracking.
• Monitor supplier certification status (SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000, etc.) and ensure timely renewals.
• Support traceability documentation and regulatory readiness initiatives.

Supplier Performance Management

• Monitor and analyze supplier performance metrics, including:
  • Documentation compliance and responsiveness
  • Incoming material quality performance
  • Supplier-related customer complaints
  • Specification deviations and nonconformances
  • Corrective action responsiveness and effectiveness
• Maintain supplier scorecards and communicate performance trends to internal stakeholders.
• Support supplier corrective action follow-up and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate and drive timely resolution of ingredient and packaging material holds.

Nonconformance & Corrective Action Management

• Support investigations into supplier-related food safety, quality, and regulatory issues.
• Assist with root cause analysis and the development of corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Track supplier corrective actions through completion and verify effectiveness.
• Escalate recurring, unresolved, or high-risk supplier issues to the Quality Systems Manager and Director of FSQA as appropriate.

Audit Support

• Support the execution of supplier audit programs, including remote and on-site assessments.
• Review third-party audit reports and monitor corrective action commitments.
• Assist in preparing documentation and responses for customer, regulatory, and certification audits related to supplier management programs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Procurement to ensure supplier selection and sourcing decisions align with company quality and food safety expectations.
• Support R&D during ingredient approval, product development, and commercialization activities.
• Communicate supplier risks, performance concerns, and compliance issues to key stakeholders.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of supplier quality systems, processes, and performance monitoring tools.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, or a related scientific discipline required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in food safety, quality assurance, supplier quality, or regulatory compliance within the food manufacturing industry.
• Experience managing supplier approval programs and supplier documentation preferred.
• Experience within private-label, retail, or multi-site manufacturing environments preferred.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• HACCP Certification
• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) Certification, or willingness to obtain
• Experience with GFSI-recognized standards, including SQF, BRCGS, and FSSC 22000

Essential Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of FSMA, GMPs, HACCP, supplier quality systems, and food safety regulations.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and documentation accuracy.
• Ability to perform root cause analysis and support effective problem-solving activities.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret supplier performance data and identify trends.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and data management systems.

Working Conditions:

• This role requires 100% onsite attendance to perform the essential functions of the role  
• Occasional travel may be required to support supplier audits, supplier visits, and quality investigations.
• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing plant environments.
• Support the Director of FSQA during supplier audits, assessments, and supplier quality improvement initiatives as needed.

Pay and Benefits:

The following information is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Compensation is based on experience, geographic locations, and other legally permitted factors. The expected compensation range for this role is $70,000-$90,000. 

Benefits for this role include medical, dental, and vision insurance; pre-tax spending accounts; 401K with company match; paid time off; short-term and long-term disability; and life insurance. 

Disclosures:

This job description is not intended, nor should it be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended only to be a general description of the essential functions common to positions of this type.   

Richelieu Foods, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.