Supplier Quality and Food Safety Manager

Kinder's•Walnut Creek, CA

7d•$125,000 - $145,000

About The Position

We’re looking for a highly driven and technically strong Supplier Food Safety Quality Assurance Manager to lead the oversight of food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across our ingredient and packaging supplier network. This role is responsible for ensuring that all raw materials and packaging components meet Kinder’s specifications, regulatory requirements, and retailer standards. You will serve as the primary quality liaison between Kinder’s and our suppliers, driving continuous improvement and risk mitigation across the supply chain.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Food Safety, or Quality Assurance within the food manufacturing industry.
Direct experience auditing ingredient and/or packaging suppliers.
Strong knowledge of GFSI standards and supplier verification programs.
Experience with FDA and USDA regulations, FSMA Preventive Controls, and food safety compliance requirements.
Strong technical knowledge of food safety systems, HACCP, allergen controls, environmental monitoring, and risk assessment.
Demonstrated ability to lead supplier corrective action and root cause investigations.
Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong communication, influencing, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related scientific discipline (required).
PCQI certification preferred.

Nice To Haves

Experience with international supplier networks.
Knowledge of food contact packaging regulations and material safety compliance.
Experience in high-growth or entrepreneurial CPG environments.

Responsibilities

Own and manage Kinder’s Supplier Quality Program for ingredient and packaging suppliers.
Evaluate, approve, and monitor suppliers through risk-based qualification processes, including audits and performance scorecards.
Conduct supplier audits (onsite and remote) to ensure compliance with GFSI-recognized standards (SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000) and Kinder’s internal requirements.
Review and approve supplier documentation including specifications, Certificates of Analysis (COAs), third-party audits, allergen statements, HACCP plans, food safety plans, and validation studies.
Partner with Procurement and R&D to assess and onboard new suppliers and materials.
Work with our CoMan network to lead supplier corrective action processes (SCARs), root cause analysis, and verification of corrective and preventive actions.
Monitor supplier performance metrics including quality incidents, foreign material findings, microbiological results, and service levels.
Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA (as applicable), FSMA Preventive Controls, FSVP, Food Defense, and Food Fraud requirements.
Oversee packaging supplier compliance with food contact regulations and and material safety standards.
Support mock recalls, traceability exercises, and crisis management related to supplier quality issues.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Regulatory, Product Development, and Supply Chain to proactively mitigate supplier-related risks.
Maintain organized and audit-ready supplier files and documentation.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the supplier network to elevate food safety culture and quality performance.