Supplier Quality & Certification Manager

Once Again Nut Butter • Nunda, NY

3d

About The Position

The Supplier Quality & Certification Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining supplier quality programs to ensure all incoming ingredients, raw materials, and packaging meet company standards and regulatory requirements. This role oversees supplier qualification, ongoing performance monitoring, and compliance. The role manages the certifications for Once Again sites and co-manufacturing facilities including Organic, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Kosher, and RSPO with support from site Quality Assurance Managers. The Supplier Quality Manager & Certification Manager collaborates cross-functionally with Procurement, R&D, Operations, and Regulatory teams to uphold product integrity, mitigate risks, and drive continuous improvement across the supplier network.

Requirements

• Strong understanding of food safety regulations (FSMA, HACCP, GFSI).
• Experience conducting supplier audits and managing CAPA processes.
• Knowledge of ingredient specifications, COAs, and traceability systems.
• Proficiency with QA/QC software, ERP systems, and digital audit tools.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• B.S. Degree (preferably microbiology, chemistry, biology) preferred and/or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Certifications/Trainings: PCQI, HACCP, GFSI/SQF Practitioner, Food Defense, FSVP.
• 5+ years of experience in supplier quality, food safety, or quality assurance in the food or ingredients industry.
• Experience with Organic Certification required.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), QMS (Quality Management Systems) software, Supplier Management software, ERP software experience, Video conferencing software.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Nice To Haves

• Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Kosher, and RSPO certification experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the qualification, verification, and approval of new suppliers, ensuring alignment with company quality expectations and certification requirements.
• Maintain and monitor supplier compliance with USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project, Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), Kosher, and RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) standards.
• Review and validate supplier documentation, including certificates, affidavits, spec sheets, and audit reports.
• Ensure timely renewal and accuracy of all supplier-related certificates and claims.
• Lead the qualification, verification, and approval of new products and ingredients falling under Once Again certification requirements.
• Maintain and monitor Once Again facilities with USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project, Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), Kosher, and RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) standards, keeping facilities compliant to standards.
• Manage certification compliance audits at Once Again facilities as required with support from site Quality Assurance Managers.
• Plan, schedule, and conduct remote and on-site supplier audits to assess food safety, quality systems, traceability, and risk management.
• Evaluate supplier performance using KPIs such as COAs, defect rates, non-conformances, and scorecards.
• Drive corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes and follow up to ensure effective resolution.
• Assess raw material and ingredient risks, focusing on allergens, contamination, fraud, and claim-sensitive categories.
• Support compliance with GFSI schemes, specifically SQF for Once Again facilities, FDA FSMA, HACCP, and other regulatory requirements.
• Manage supplier-related deviations, root cause analyses, recalls, and withdrawals when necessary.
• Work closely with Procurement to ensure strategic sourcing and supplier performance alignment.
• Partner with R&D on ingredient changes, material validations, and new product development.
• Collaborate with Operations and QA teams to resolve material-related manufacturing issues.
• Work with site Quality Managers and Food Safety Teams evaluating ingredient hazards and updating Food Safety Plans.
• Maintain up-to-date supplier files, certifications, audit reports, and quality agreements.
• Support internal and external audits by providing supplier documentation and traceability information.
• Oversee supplier quality databases and digital systems for tracking compliance and performance.
• Lead initiatives to enhance supplier quality programs, reduce risks, and strengthen supply chain transparency.
• Identify opportunities to optimize processes that support sustainability, certifications, and responsible sourcing.
• Provide training to internal teams on supplier compliance and claims-based ingredient management.
• Keeps management team abreast of significant issues or developments identified during quality assurance activities and actions being taken to improve the situation.
• Maintains a working knowledge of government and industry quality assurance codes and standards.
• Plays an active role on quality management teams within the organization.

What This Job Offers

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