Quality & Food Safety Auditor

Simple Mills • Chicago, IL

1d • $115,000 - $135,000 • Remote

About The Position

The Quality & Food Safety Auditor will be a critical role on the Supplier Quality team responsible for supporting the Simple Mills Quality & Food Safety risk mitigation strategy by leading and executing audits at Simple Mills partners (Raw Material Suppliers, Contract Manufacturers, Warehouses, etc.) and supporting the Quality department with the day-to-day requirements. The position will report to the Director, Supplier Quality.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant food-industry experience.
• 4+ years of comprehensive food safety and quality related experience
• The position requires on average 75% travel, with the potential to travel up to 90% for critical business needs
• Valid driver's license required.
• Valid passport required, or the ability to obtain one.
• Experience conducting food safety, quality, supplier, GMP, or manufacturing-facility audits, including audit planning, objective-evidence collection, interviewing, report writing, classification of findings, and corrective-action verification.
• Experience with at least one GFSI-recognized food safety certification program
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and must also effectively manage and execute changes
• Position requires ability to act as a member of a highly functioning team
• Excellent communication, writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Intermediate PowerPoint, and strong Excel skills (ability to structure and analyze data, manipulate pivot tables, create trackers, and utilize basic functions)
• Ability to complete other projects as assigned and needed

Nice To Haves

• Certified Quality Auditor (ASQ) is a plus
• Proficiency in TraceGains is preferred but not required
• A personal connection to the Simple Mills mission and a fervent desire to improve the food system to help people and the planet thrive.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a risk-based supplier and external-partner audit program covering current and prospective ingredient suppliers, packaging suppliers, contract manufacturers, co-packers, warehouses, and other designated service providers.
• Travel to Simple Mills partners and prospective partners to conduct on-site food safety and quality audits, targeted risk assessments, CAPA verification visits, incident investigations, supplier-development activities, and other special projects.
• Plan, lead, and document announced and unannounced audits against Simple Mills requirements, applicable regulatory requirements, customer requirements, and relevant food safety and quality standards.
• Perform audit preparation and due diligence, including review of previous audit results, GFSI certification and reports, regulatory history, food safety plans, specifications, testing programs, supplier performance, complaints, nonconformances, and open corrective actions.
• Collect and evaluate objective evidence through facility observation, employee interviews, document and record review, traceability exercises, and evaluation of the effective implementation of food safety and quality programs.
• Prepare timely, accurate, and fact-based audit reports that clearly describe findings, objective evidence, risk, required corrective actions, accountable owners, and agreed completion dates.
• Lead audit opening and closing meetings, clearly communicating audit scope, findings, risk level, expectations, and required next steps to partner management and Simple Mills stakeholders.
• Evaluate corrective and preventive action responses, including root-cause analysis, containment, corrective action, preventive action, and supporting evidence; verify implementation and effectiveness before closure.
• Develop and maintain the annual audit schedule using ingredient risk, intended use, supplier performance, regulatory or certification history, audit findings, complaint trends, change activity, and other risk factors; monitor completion against the approved schedule.
• Assess the design and effective implementation of Quality programs, including food safety plans, preventive controls/HACCP, allergen management, sanitation, environmental monitoring, foreign material control, food defense, food fraud, traceability and recall, laboratory controls, incoming-material verification, specifications, change control, hold and release, and regulatory notification.
• Establish constructive, professional relationships with external teams and use audit findings, performance data, technical guidance, and follow-up activities to drive sustainable continuous improvement.
• Performs other projects as assigned

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation: This role offers a salary range of $115,000 to $135,000
• Annual Bonus Opportunity: Eligible for an annual bonus as part of our commitment to recognizing team contributions and company success.
• Holistic Benefits: A variety of health, financial, and wellness programs to help you feel your best and plan for the future.
• Time to Recharge: We believe your best work comes when you have space to rest, refocus, and show up fully—our time off approach is built with that in mind.
• Everyday Well-Being: From lifestyle perks to innovation shipments, we find meaningful ways to support you in living simply and feeling well.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level