Manager Quality Assurance - Supply Quality

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is a global leader in the production, distribution, and marketing of fresh, value-added, and shelf-stable fruits and vegetables under our Fresh and Foods divisions. Our diverse product portfolio proudly bears the Del Monte® brand and also includes prepared fruits and vegetables, juices, beverages, snacks, and desserts - available in over 80 countries worldwide. With operations spanning more than 35 countries, we’ve proudly been nourishing families for over 135 years. Benefits We Offer Include: Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance 401(k) with company match Employer-paid life & disability insurance Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Paid Time Off (PTO) 7 Company Paid Holidays 24/7 Telemedicine & Employee Assistance Program Optional voluntary benefits (legal, accident, identity protection) Eligibility on the first of the month following your hire date Purpose of Position: Del Monte Foods is the Foods Division of Fresh Del Monte, a global grower, producer and marketer of fresh, value-added, and shelf-stable produce. Del Monte Foods has a powerful portfolio of brands, including the iconic Del Monte®, Contadina® and S&W®. We are currently seeking a Manager Quality Assurance Supply Quality. The Manager Quality Assurance Supply Quality is responsible for the development, implementation, and management of the company's supplier approval and compliance program using a supplier compliance software tool. This role oversees the qualification, approval, monitoring, and ongoing compliance of suppliers providing ingredients, processing aids, food-contact packaging, non-food-contact packaging, contract services, and other materials or services impacting product quality and food safety at Del Monte facilities, as well as of co-manufacturers of finished products. The position serves as the corporate owner of the software configuration for company needs, supplier hazard analysis and risk management processes, onsite audits, supplier approval processes, compliance documentation, supplier performance monitoring and score carding, continuous improvement, and corrective and preventative actions management. Working closely with Procurement, R&D, Regulatory, Legal, and Supply Chain teams, the Manager ensures suppliers meet company, regulatory (FSMA), food safety, quality, sustainability, and customer requirements and ensures the Company is in an audit ready state. This position serves as an integral role member of the FSQ staff by providing input and having a strong voice in decision making regarding suppliers, and product disposition. Will conduct audits at suppliers as needed and serve as an alternate for co-manufacturing location audits and crisis management. Accountabilities: Food Safety and Quality responsibilities include: Holistic management of the supply quality program to ensure supplier and vendor compliance and performance in accordance with company and regulatory policy, coordinate corrective and preventative action program with suppliers, maintain scorecards and metrics for supply base in close coordination with procurement. Auditing skills for suppliers and/or co-mans. Work closely with R&D on new suppliers. Own and manage the corporate supplier approval and vendor compliance program, including managing and executing the qualification requirements for all suppliers and vendors, inclusive of some co-manufacturers. Define supplier approval criteria based on risk level and supplier category. Maintain Approved Vendor Lists (AVL) and manage supplier onboarding and compliance statuses. Serve as system owner and primary administrator for TraceGains or equivalent supplier quality management platforms. Configure and continuously improve software system workflows, attributes, alerts, email notifications, and dashboards Ensure supplier records remain accurate, current, and audit-ready by monitoring document statuses and expirations, document reviews, and risk assessments Review of documents including but not limited to: GFSI audit reports and CAPAs, HACCP/HARPC programs, allergen programs, recall plans, traceability exercises, supplier and sustainability questionnaires, claims certificates and letters, LOG, Prop 65, recall plans, country of origin, labels, SDS, specifications, food contact, food defense, COAs, etc. Generate compliance and performance reports for management review. Lead system enhancement initiatives and user training. Conduct and maintain supplier risk assessments utilizing risk-based principles, current events, etc. Lead ingredient and supplier food fraud vulnerability assessments. Support food defense and intentional adulteration risk assessments. Manage the Supplier Corrective Action Request (SCAR) processes from issuance through closure, in coordination with Procurement and Plant QA teams. Issue CARs resulting from quality incidents, consumer complaints, supplier non-conformances, documentation deficiencies, regulatory concerns Track and report Supplier Corrective Action Request (SCAR) reports, financial impact, etc. Review root cause analyses and corrective action plans. And evaluate effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA). Escalate unresolved issues to Procurement, FS/QA teams when appropriate. Develop and maintain risk-based supplier audit programs. Determine audit requirements based on: risk assessments, quality incidents, compliance concerns, product category risk, recall events, emerging hazards Conduct onsite and remote supplier and co-manufacturer audits as necessary. Travel up to 25% Partner with Procurement to develop supplier scorecards based on TraceGains and related compliance. Support Quarterly Business Reviews (QBR) of suppliers with Procurement team Investigate supplier-related quality and food safety incidents. Participate in crisis management activities involving suppliers. Support traceability exercises and mock recalls. SAP PDM systems support through document retention, specification creation and revi Partner closely with corporate and facility FS/QA, Procurement, Supply Chain, R&D, Regulatory, and Legal teams. Be a decision maker -- you must weigh in and determine the course of action. Set and pursue goals with a sense of purpose and urgency. Be a standard-bearer. Demonstrate ownership of policy and the Code of Conduct. Use authority in an appropriate manner. Stay focused on the critical priorities. Connect individual work deliverables to organizational and departmental goals. Demonstrate professional knowledge and good judgment with focus on achieving necessary tasks at hand and make course-corrections to ensure success. Measure progress against plans and goals. Minimum Skills Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Food Technology or related discipline. 5 to 7 years of experience in quality assurance. Highly skilled and experienced in supplier compliance tool like Trace Gains. Experience auditing food manufacturing sites, warehouse/storage areas. Preferably across different food and manufacturing categories: canneries; low acid and high acid/acidified products; water activity controlled; refrigerated and frozen. Ability to travel 25% Experience in food processing, sanitation, quality assurance, and production statistics required. Experience in general manufacturing practices for food processing required. Experience in/knowledge of sanitation concepts, environmental controls and monitoring Experience with cross-functional teams; strong interpersonal skills. GFSI and BRC Standards. Understand customer needs and expectations. Organize, plan, and problem-solve to exceed their expectations and develop positive relationships. Ability to multi-task and remain flexible. Possess and display desire, goodwill, initiative, and discipline. An effective communicator; excellent oral and written skills to communicate with all levels including executive management, outside vendors, and major customers professionally. Keep business leaders abreast of emerging situations as needed. Solution Oriented - work to overcome obstacles or roadblocks always working to resolve in a positive manner. Overcome challenges or obstacles even when it means choosing the hard right over the easy wrong. Intermediate computer skills (Microsoft Office products). SAP experience or similar preferred. ***Please note: This position does not qualify for relocation expenses.*** Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is a global leader in the production, distribution, and marketing of fresh and fresh cut fruits and vegetables. Our diverse product portfolio also includes prepared fruits and vegetables, juices, beverages, snacks, and desserts—available in over 80 countries worldwide. With operations spanning more than 35 countries, we’ve proudly been nourishing families for over 135 years. We are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Fresh Del Monte and its affiliates do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We also participate in E-Verify* where applicable, to ensure employment authorization eligibility. Driven by our core values - Excellence, Care, Passion, Trust, and Creativity - we invite you to explore our career opportunities and join our FRESH team.