Quality Ingredient Specialist

Position: Quality Ingredient Specialist Reports to: Food Safety Manager Department: Quality Location: Holland, MI (On-Site) Job Summary: The Quality Ingredient Specialist at Request Foods will oversee supplier food safety and quality and food safety processes for ingredients and packaging material. This includes ensuring adherence of incoming materials that meet all applicable food safety regulations and protocols within the suppliers’ food manufacturing facilities.

Essential Responsibilities: Perform food safety and quality assessments during the supplier onboarding process. Maintain and update supplier documentation such as specifications, certifications, and audit results, as necessary. Management of Supplier/ Material qualifications and supplier related including approvals. Lead investigations of supplier non-conformances and review supplier corrective and preventative actions (CAPA) Support the ongoing monitoring and assessment of supplier performance including tracking and ratings.

Conduct on-site auditing of suppliers and follow up until supplier meets satisfactory conditions, as applicable. Identify risk-based activities to verify that foreign suppliers are meeting applicable US food safety standards. Collaborate internally with Quality Services, R&D, Operations and Procurement teams to establish supplier food safety and quality expectations.

Present and/or support customer and regulatory audits with regards to Supplier and Ingredient assessments. Assist in raw material evaluations to ensure conformance with specifications. Support review and approval of Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and other quality documentation for accuracy and compliance. Promote a positive food safety culture by promoting awareness, accountability, and consistent behavior at all levels of the organization.

Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of the Request Foods’ Food Safety and Quality Policies and how these are applied to internal and supplier-related processes. Some travel may be required (10–25%) for supplier audits and site visits. Office and food manufacturing plant environments; appropriate PPE must be worn as required.

Key Qualifications: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in a food manufacturing environment. A science related degree (biology, chemistry) is preferred. HACCP and/or PCQI certification is required. 3-5 years auditing experience and/or auditing certification preferred. Strong computer skills – Excel, Word, Power Point Background in SAP and Trace.

Gains Effective communication and organization skills Excellent troubleshooting, attention to detail and critical thinking skills