Vendor QA Senior Technologist

The Honest Kitchen Inc • San Diego, CA

34d • $85,000 - $90,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Vendor QA Sr Technologist is responsible for The Honest Kitchen’s Vendor Quality Program and runs the program day to day. The role manages specifications, reviews COAs, monitors material control, approves and maintains vendors, tracks vendor compliance, and manages SCARs and NCRs for materials. This is an on-site position based in Topeka, KS.

Requirements

• Excellent attention to detail and follow-through.
• Organized, able to manage a high volume of documents and deadlines.
• Clear written communication with suppliers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Smartsheet and supplier management systems (e.g., SafeFood360).
• Must love animals and be passionate about their health.
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry or related field, or 2+ years of equivalent quality assurance experience.

Nice To Haves

• HACCP certification preferred.
• PCQI a plus.
• Food or pet food supplier quality experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, train and implement elements of the Vendor Quality Program, including procedures, forms and work instructions for specifications, COA review, vendor approval, material performance and SCAR/NCR.
• Train THM Quality, Receiving, Procurement and R&D partners on vendor quality procedures and requirements.
• Review program effectiveness and recommend improvements to the Director of Quality.
• Strengthen internal THK material specifications so they reflect THK quality, food safety and regulatory needs and what suppliers can consistently deliver.
• Create and maintain material specifications in THK format.
• Facilitate cross-functional alignment on specifications with Quality, R&D, Procurement and Operations partners, support approval and sign-off, and keep versions controlled with Quality Systems.
• Identify COA requirements for each ingredient category (e.g., required tests, methods, limits and frequency), aligned to material risk and THK specifications.
• Communicate COA requirements to suppliers and build them into specifications and supplier agreements.
• Review supplier COAs against specifications before material use or release, and flag deviations.
• Use AI-assisted COA review tools as they are implemented.
• Monitor compliance of COAs and material performance to THK specifications, and trend results by ingredient and supplier.
• Monitor incoming material status, holds, non-conforming material and shelf life across THM and co-manufacturers.
• Verify APHIS and export-related ingredient documentation with Regulatory.
• Collect and review supplier documentation (GFSI certificates, audit reports, allergen statements, FSVP records, questionnaires) in SafeFood360.
• Maintain the approved supplier list and re-approval schedule, and meet review turnaround targets for new and trial ingredients.
• Track expiring certificates and documents,and follow up with suppliers before they lapse.
• Compile supplier performance data and scorecards.
• Develop, train and implement a comprehensive Material Performance Program
• Issue and track non-conformance reports (NCRs) and supplier corrective action requests (SCARs).
• Review supplier root cause and corrective action responses and verify effectiveness.
• Perform other duties as required to support the Quality team or internal stakeholders.

Benefits

• Time off: We offer a highly competitive time off schedule, including unlimited vacation and additional sick time, in addition to a generous company-paid holiday schedule.
• Benefits: Various health insurance plans with generous employer contributions to premiums. We also offer vision, dental, short-term disability, long-term disability, accident, critical illness, an employee assistance program, and an FSA/HSA.
• Financial wellness: Enjoy perks like a company 401K with an employer match.
• Mission Driven: Employees can take up to 40 hours of volunteer time a year, and we offer donation matching to non-profit organizations of your choosing.
• Pet Friendly: Pet-friendly offices, zoom calls, discounts on pet insurance, and of course, free pet food!
• Collaborative Team: We offer a fun, team-oriented work environment where you feel like you are making a difference every day.

What This Job Offers

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