Supplier Quality Manager

The Supplier Quality Manager will be responsible to support the creation and execution of a best-in-class ingredient and packaging supplier and co-manufacturer/co-packer partner qualification program that actively identifies and mitigates quality and food safety risk for High Liner Foods. This role will also be responsible for supplier quality systems governance and maintaining associated programs and policies. This person will be an active agent on Food Safety, and Quality cultural change and an advocate for the protection of High Liner Foods, our customers and our consumers. As the face of the Company manages all quality and food safety related issues and opportunities with global supply partners.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of a risk-based ingredient and packaging supplier and co-manufacturer/co-packer partner qualification and monitoring program.
• Govern supplier quality systems and maintain all related programs, standards, and policies including maintenance of electronic portal solution for the electronic and efficient capturing and management of supplier compliance records.
• Conduct on-going supplier capability assessments to verify supplier's performance.
• Provide directions to suppliers to drive continuous improvement on quality systems based on findings and observations from audit reports, consumer complaints, non-conformances and market data.
• Assure the effectiveness of the corrective and preventative action process within the framework of HLF Supplier Expectations Manual.
• Track and follow-up on non-conformance issues with respective suppliers for corrective actions, prevention plans and continuous improvement.
• Successfully engage with cross-functional teams such as Product Development and Purchasing, towards selection and management of suppliers.
• Improve upon document requirements and continuously review relevancy and compliance of expectations.
• Requests/Reviews supplier's documentation (ex: process flows, specifications). Develops technical expertise to drive continuous improvement with the suppliers for identified gaps in documentation and/or programs.
• Validates specifications for quality and food safety attributes ensuring end to end alignment with finished product and customer specifications.
• Leads and manages the implementation of vendor inspection.
• Complete initial and routine quality and food safety audits of suppliers. Manage the corrective action process.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships and partnerships with supply partners.
• Assures compliance of global supply partners and their products with all local, state and federal regulations in the US and Canada.
• Proactively work and develop processes to prevent recalls, withdraws and loss of customers due to quality concerns resulting from international raw material suppliers.
• Ensures the hiring, training and onboarding of new quality specialist.
• Establishes, updates and maintains inspection procedures and records.

Continuous Improvement:

• Monitor and report on supplier KPIs.
• Ensure all consumer and customer complaint incidents are reported to supply partners and are thoroughly investigated and resolved. Ensure the management of a strong supplier corrective action program.
• Provide regular and structured feedback to stakeholders on supplier performance (complaints, non-conformance etc.).

Leadership:

• Ability to lead Quality team to provide exceptional service to internal and external stakeholders, upholding High Liner's quality and food safety standards.
• Coach, develop, and mentor team members to achieve personal growth and success while making meaningful contributions to the success of the Quality team and High Liner Foods.
• Manages performance expectations including daily accountabilities, annual goals and annual performance reviews.
• Develops new training programs to support the ongoing development of team members.
• Ensures the allocation and retention of department headcount; seamlessly manages vacation times and gaps in coverage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree (Food Science or technical degree preferred but not required).
• 5-7 years of experience working in a quality/food safety role within food industry.
• HACCP/GFSI/PCQI/FSVP/ Auditing experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills as this position is the face of High Liner Foods to our supplier partners.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to manage and resolve conflict in a positive way.
• Good organizational and record keeping skills.
• Strong analytical problem-solving skills, results driven.
• Passionate, self-starter with realistic and practical approach to Food Safety execution; strong commitment to High Liner Quality.
• Strong proficiency in enterpriselevel digital systems, including supplier compliance and quality management platforms (e.g., TraceGains), specification management systems, inventory and production management tools, training systems, and core Microsoft applications

What's in it for you?

Join High Liner Foods for a career where you shape your path, backed by great benefits, flexible work, and a culture of diversity, innovation, and sustainability. Immerse yourself in opportunities to make a real impact and grow with us in our mission to nourish lives. Start your adventure where endless possibilities to thrive together await.

• Competitive Salary
• Heath, dental & vision coverage
• Pay for performance incentives
• Employee & Family assistance programs
• Wellness Programs
• Retirement Planning
• Supplemental Parental Leaves
• Disability Support
• Family friendly Flex policies & Summer hours
• Volunteer hours
• Learning and mentorship opportunities
• Safety focused work environment

To learn more please visit our career/LinkedIn/Indeed page

Salary Transparency: High Liner Foods' compensation offerings are founded in a pay-for-performance philosophy that recognizes individual and team performance. The typical hiring range for this position is from $94,262 - $141,393; the base pay is offered based on a variety of factors including geographical market location, and may vary depending on job grading practices, job-related knowledge, skills, experience and internal equity factors. As part of our total rewards offering, employees may be eligible to participate in an annual short-term incentive program [and long-term incentive program] (for Dir+) subject to program eligibility requirements.

AI Disclosure: We use an AI-assisted note-taking tool during our conversations to help us stay fully present and engaged. If you are uncomfortable with this for any reason, please let us know, and we will turn it off. Please be assured that all applications are reviewed by a human, and hiring decisions are made by our team based on a variety of factors, including skills, experience, and overall fit for the role.

Vacancy Status: Current Vacancy

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