What are the responsibilities and job description for the Supplier Quality Specialist position at Reser's Fine Foods?
Recipe for Success
Reser’s is the leading provider of fresh refrigerated foods for the supermarket and food service industries. Family owned and operated, Reser’s has been a proud sponsor of good times at picnics, BBQs, and affordable family meals since 1950. Reser’s family of brands include Reser’s American Classics, Main Street Bistro, Don Pancho, and more. Reser’s operates facilities in the US, Mexico and actively supports the communities it serves.
Benefits and Culture
We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to help employees live a healthier life, build rewarding careers and save for the future. Reser’s offers choices whenever possible, because we recognize the diverse and ever-changing needs of our employees. Full-time employee benefits include medical, dental, vision, AD&D, life, 401(k) with discretionary match, wellness programs, paid time off, company paid holidays and a variety of voluntary benefit options.
We strive to be Employer of Choice. As one of our five cornerstones, this means that we go all-out to create an environment that shows we are committed to investing in employee growth and creating a culture of belonging where employees what to build a lasting career.
Visit our website to learn more about our competitive benefit programs – https://resers.com/careers/#benefits
Title: Supplier Quality Specialist
Location: Corporate
Job Summary
The Supply Quality Specialist plays a critical role in managing food safety risks across all Reser’s Fine Foods and Don Pancho facilities. This position is responsible for creating and maintaining ingredient specifications, performing ingredient food safety approvals, and ensuring compliance with the food safety vendor approval program. The role involves rigorous evaluation and auditing of vendor practices to mitigate potential food safety risks, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the supply chain and ensuring the highest standards of food safety and quality.
Essential Position Functions
• Critically evaluate and rigorously audit vendor ingredient specifications and food safety practices to ensure strict compliance with federal food safety requirements such as FDA Seafood HACCP, USDA Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Systems, and the Food Safety Modernization Act. This includes conducting thorough reviews of 3rd party audits such as SQF and BRC, identifying potential risks, and implementing corrective actions to mitigate those risks to maintain food safety risk.
• Perform and document comprehensive food safety risk analysis of vendor documentation to ensure all ingredients are properly ranked by risk category and vetted for use in production in a timely manner. This involves identifying potential hazards, assessing the severity and likelihood of risks, and implementing strategies to mitigate these risks to prevent foodborne illnesses, ensure product safety, and maintain consumer trust.
• Create and maintain ingredient specifications based on food safety and quality assurance attributes.
• Manage supplier relationships by assisting purchasing and R&D in sourcing new supplier and/or ingredient information and maintaining current supplier relationships. This includes establishing and ensuring ongoing compliance with food safety and quality standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor industry trends, recalls, and food fraud incidents to ensure company programs are compliant and maintain high industry standards. This includes staying updated on regulatory changes, analyzing recall data, and implementing preventive measures to protect the company’s supply chain integrity.
• Assists in approving ingredient substitutions and shelf life extension by performing food safety and regulatory review with the assistance of Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Regulatory, Purchasing, and R&D.
• Collaborate with the Technical Compliance Manager with projects as needed.
• Lead continuous improvement projects to enhance and strengthen ingredient food safety and quality processes.
• Performs general duties such as ordering supplies and maintaining records.
• Performs special projects and other related duties, as assigned.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or a related field or 3 years Food Science experience is required. HACCP or PCQI certification is also required.
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Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• In-depth knowledge of food and safety regulations and food processing is required.
• Proven ability to work independently with good judgement and decisiveness.
• Ability to solve quality related problems.
• Ability to deal with a variety of compliance situations and implement continuous improvement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail but able to work quickly while tracking multiple priorities to meet established deadlines.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
• Office & Plant Environment
• Occasional travel (up to 10%) throughout the US for work or professional training.
• Able to work extended hours on occasion.
Exempt only: This position is eligible for a bonus based on company goals/performance.
