Food Safety & Quality Auditor

SUMMARY The Supplier Quality & Food Safety Auditor is responsible for ensuring supplier compliance with food safety, quality, regulatory, customer, and company requirements through supplier qualification, auditing, verification, and continuous improvement activities. This role supports Sartori’s risk-based supplier management program by evaluating and monitoring suppliers, identifying and mitigating supply chain risks, and maintaining the integrity of ingredients, packaging, co-manufacturing, and warehousing partners. The position partners closely with Procurement, Supply Chain, Operations, and Food Safety & Quality teams to support compliance, supplier performance, and business continuity. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Supplier Quality & Compliance Communicates Sartori food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements to suppliers and Sartori-operated facilities and ensures compliance with established standards. Leads supplier approval, qualification, onboarding, and ongoing verification activities using a risk-based approach. Maintains supplier compliance records and documentation to meet regulatory, customer, and company retention requirements. Supports the Item Set-Up process through the review and approval of new suppliers, facilities, ingredients, and materials. Provides input into the selection and evaluation of new suppliers and alternative materials. Supplier Auditing Develops and executes supplier audit plans based on supplier risk, performance history, and business priorities. Conducts food safety and quality assessments of ingredient suppliers, packaging suppliers, co-manufacturers, warehouses, and service providers. Prepares audit reports identifying observations, risks, non-conformances, and required corrective actions. Reviews supplier corrective and preventive action responses and verifies the effectiveness of implemented actions through closure. Risk Management & Continuous Improvement Identifies, assesses, and communicates supplier food safety and quality risks to appropriate stakeholders and recommends mitigation strategies. Monitors supplier performance trends and recurring issues to identify opportunities for systemic improvement. Maintains awareness of current food safety regulations, industry standards, emerging hazards, and regulatory developments. Supports preventive controls verification activities and supplier risk assessment programs. Cross-Functional Partnership Partners with Procurement, Supply Chain, Operations, and Food Safety & Quality teams to support supplier performance management, sourcing decisions, and compliance objectives. Manages supplier documentation reviews for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with Sartori vendor management requirements. Leads the timely review and resolution of product and raw material holds to support inventory compliance and operational excellence. Participates in Sartori’s Supplier Cheese Grading Program and related product evaluation activities. Builds collaborative relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders to support issue resolution and continuous improvement initiatives. Food Safety Complies with all company food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements. Immediately reports any food safety or quality issues to management or other individuals authorized to initiate action. SQF BACK UP PROVISION In the absence of the Food Safety and Quality Auditor, the Supplier Food Safety and Quality Auditing Manager will fulfill the responsibilities of the Food Safety and Quality Auditor. DIRECT REPORTS This role is not responsible for leading others. QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Associate degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or a related field, required. Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, STEM, or a related discipline, preferred. 3-5 years of experience in Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Supplier Quality, or a related field, required. Experience in dairy manufacturing or a regulated food manufacturing environment, preferred. Experience conducting second-party supplier audits or auditing certification, required. Experience serving as a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) or supporting food safety plan development and reassessments, preferred. Experience working with high-risk ingredients, including dairy, spices, nuts, produce, or ready-to-eat foods, preferred. Experience utilizing supplier management systems, SAP, SharePoint, and Microsoft Office applications, preferred. SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES Information Seeker: Proactively gathers relevant information to inform decisions. Problem Solver: Identifies root causes and recommends effective solutions. Collaborative: Partners with others to realize better results. Quality Commitment: Consistently strives to meet high standards of excellence. Detail-oriented: Ensures accuracy and precision in work output. Judgment: Forms sound opinions and make solid decisions. Customer Focused: Understands and responds effectively to stakeholder needs. Organized: Structures work and information in a logical, efficient manner. Results-driven: Focuses on achieving results that promote business success. Persistent: Perseveres despite opposition or difficulty. CERTIFICATIONS Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) Certification, required within one year of accepting the role. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WORK LOCATION This role is expected to be onsite at our Pleasant View location in Plymouth, WI 3 days per week and may work remotely 2 days per week when not traveling for auditing purposes. Remote work must be performed within Wisconsin or another approved state in accordance with company policy. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Frequent Travel (up to 50%) – Travel is a routine part of the role and may include regional or national trips and overnight stays. This role requires a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and reliable transportation for work-related travel. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The role requires extended periods of sitting, movement between work areas or locations, and climbing stairs. The role may involve lifting or carrying up to 10 pounds. The role requires fine finger manipulation. The role requires the ability to see details at close range, distinguish colors, and communicate verbally. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This role is performed in both an office and non-office setting. The work environment is generally quiet to moderate in noise level.