Associate Quality & Documentation Specialist

Reporting to the Manager, Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory Affairs, you will support the Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory Affairs organization by serving as a key liaison between internal manufacturing plants, external suppliers, contract manufacturers, and third‑party partners.

You will focus on quality documentation management, data analysis, and external partner support while collaborating cross‑functionally with Research and Development, Procurement, Operations, and external partners to drive continuous improvement, regulatory compliance, and risk‑based decision making.

• Review, manage, and maintain supplier and contract manufacturer quality documentation including compliance records, third‑party audit reports, corrective and preventive actions, food safety plans, and external communications.
• Support onboarding and ongoing verification of suppliers and contract manufacturers in alignment with Food Safety Modernization Act, Global Food Safety Initiative, Food and Drug Administration, and United States Department of Agriculture requirements.
• Serve as a documentation and quality support resource for suppliers and contract manufacturers, ensuring timely receipt, review, and retention of required records.
• Review supplier scorecards and routine reports to communicate quality performance to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support supplier and contract manufacturer risk assessments and risk rankings for ingredient, packaging, and finished goods categories.
• Support Foreign Supplier Verification Program activities and import‑related documentation.
• Partner with suppliers, contract manufacturers, and third‑party service providers to support audit readiness, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support contract manufacturer audit activities including document reviews, pre‑audit readiness, corrective action follow‑up, and closure verification.
• Facilitate timely and accurate communication of quality issues, deviations, and documentation requirements with external partners.
• Provide technical and data‑driven support for quality investigations, nonconformances, deviations, and root cause analysis.
• Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of standard operating procedures, work instructions, templates, and quality forms used with suppliers and contract manufacturers.
• Participate in cross‑functional teams to ensure effective execution of quality initiatives and external manufacturing programs.
• Assist with training and guidance for internal teams, suppliers, and contract manufacturers on documentation expectations, data reporting, and quality requirements.

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field, or equivalent experience with eight or more years in the food industry.
• Three or more years of experience in food safety, quality, supplier quality, contract manufacturer support, or regulatory roles.
• Experience supporting external suppliers, contract manufacturers, auditors, and third‑party partners.
• Strong documentation management, technical writing, and records control skills.
• Working knowledge of food safety systems, manufacturing processes, and external manufacturing quality programs.
• Demonstrated experience identifying trends and translating findings into actionable insights.
• Knowledge of regulatory and certification standards including the Food Safety Modernization Act, Global Food Safety Initiative, Food and Drug Administration, and United States Department of Agriculture.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience managing multiple priorities and working independently.
• Willingness to travel up to ten to fifteen percent as required.

Willingness to travel up to ten to fifteen percent as required.

May be required to walk around the facility, climb stairs or ladders, kneel, or perform repetitive tasks that require hand‑eye coordination. May be required to lift or carry materials that can vary in weight and size. This is a manufacturing environment with large, moving equipment. Noise levels can be high, and temperatures may vary.

• Health:
  Comprehensive…