Corp Manager Supplier Quality Assurance

Job Description:

Changing the World, One Kibble at a Time

Champion Petfoods is expanding! We are excited to announce we are looking for a Manager, Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) to join our rapidly growing company.

Champion Petfoods is an award-winning pet food crafter with a reputation of trust spanning 35+ years. From our humble beginnings, founded in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Champion – with its ORIJEN® and ACANA® brands – is a key player in the global premium pet food industry. Our purpose, To Earn Pet Lover Trust Every Day so Pets Thrive for a Lifetime ,provides the foundation for our highest aspirations as a company.

Being a partner to the communities that surround us – and the environment that sustains us – are top priorities.

We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about personal and professional growth and see yourself as a key player contributing to our continued success as an award-winning company.

Here’s the scoop – Summary

The Manager, Supplier Quality Assurance is responsible for assuring that Champion Petfoods Supplier partners reliably supply goods that satisfy Champion Petfoods food safety and quality standards and that they are aligned with government regulations and Champion Petfoods specifications.

Partners include ingredient suppliers, packaging suppliers, warehouses, distributors, contract manufacturers and contract packers – collectively referred to as Suppliers. The scope of responsibilities includes monitoring Supplier performance against product specifications, policies, procedures and conducting Supplier audits and reporting necessary to ensure compliance and drive continuous improvement. This role requires frequent travel to Supplier facilities and other Champion Petfoods business locations.

What a typical day looks like

• Provide leadership in the development, management, and implementation of Supplier Quality Assurance Programs and Policies to ensure ongoing compliance with local, national, and international standards and legislation.
• Manages subordinates, who are responsible for supplier audits, verifications and quality assurance for new suppliers and current suppliers.
• Accountable for delivering metrics related to supplier audits and assessments, ingredient & packaging risk assessments, qualifying new suppliers and supplier compliance.
• Leads the quality assessment of potential new vendors and proposed vendor changes.
• Performs risk-based Supplier audits that are compliant with corporate policies, practices, and procedures.
• Maintains concise and accurate information on supplier audit status.
• Supports supplier development and quality improvement, reduction in non-conforming materials and improvement to spec quality.
• Works with QA and Ingredient Management teams to develop strategies to identify and resolve vendor quality issues.
• Implements a supplier quality plan to ensure the company meets industry and regulatory compliance.
• Assists in setting supplier quality standards and managing the evaluation of supplier operations and products for compliance with Champion Petfoods quality and food safety standards.
• Participate in new product development team meetings with focus on new supplier partner approvals and new ingredient risk assessment.
• Supports continuous improvement by integrating supplier management tools (e.g., Trace Gain) into process.
• Execute special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

What you’ll bring

• Possess a bachelor’s degree in food science or related field.
• Working knowledge of GFSI certification schemes (SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000 etc.) and experience in internal auditing and 3rd party auditing.
• Minimum 10 years’ direct work experience in a food manufacturing facility.
• Comprehensive knowledge of food safety audits, HACCP principals, GMPs, SOPs and SSOPs, Pest Control & Recall programs) and associated standards that include risk management, product testing, capability studies and control plans.
• Knowledge of the fresh meat extrusion process is desirable.
• Must possess excellent communication skills for liaising and communicating with vendors, auditors, customers, and internal departments. Able to interface directly with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to create and review technical documentation, including project plans, test procedures, and design documents.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office productivity suite.
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills.
• Able to build and maintain lasting relationships with other departments, key business partners, and government agencies.
• Self-directed, highly motivated, detail oriented, and able to work independently while providing leadership to a team.
• Strong problem identification and problem resolution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to train, coach, evaluate, and improve others.
• Motivated, energetic, goal-oriented, with a strong work ethic and positive team attitude.
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills.

Working Conditions

• Work environment both in the office and production facilities related to pet food ingredient manufacturing, processing, primary processing, co-manufacturing with exposure to dust, noise, odours, and fluctuating temperatures.
• Some travel is required.
• Ability to attend and conduct presentations.
• Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals.
• Working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Extended hours of work as required.
• Ability to physically inspect and audit supplier manufacturing operations against the Champion Petfoods quality and food safety standards.

What can you expect from Champion?

• Safety:a strong commitment to ensure all people are provided with a safe, healthy and respectful environment.
• Earnings:Competitive Wages that give financial peace of mind, RRSP with Company, and donation matching.
• Industry Competitive Benefits:Medical, Dental, Vision and Employee Assistance Programs to meet your individual or family needs.
• Continuing Education:In House & Online Learning & Development, as well as an Education Assistance Program.
• Quality:a dedication to uphold the highest standards of authenticity, nutritional integrity, and food safety, to earn the trust of Pet Lovers everywhere.
• Other Perks:Free Bag of Premium Pet Food each month, Free Parking and more!

What are you waiting for? Join the pack!

Come as you are.

We value diversity in all forms and know the power it can bring. Workplace equality allows for creative ideas to bloom, diverse points of views to be heard, and increases overall happiness. That sounds pretty good to us.

Champion is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other creed, you are wanted here.

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