Job Details

Job Overview:

At UNFI, our vision is to have a world class food safety management system that achieves the highest level of industry standards and exceeds consumer expectations. The Supplier Program Partner position will aid in achieving this vision as a member of the Food Safety & Quality Assurance Team, executing the supplier management program and evaluation of the compliance of our trusted suppliers. This fast-paced role will work closely with the suppliers, internal and external supplier teams, and FSQA Supplier Manager and Senior Manager. The role has the responsibility to review and evaluate our suppliers Food Safety programs to ensure our external partners are maintaining food safety throughout the supply chain. In addition, ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and pest control programs within UNFI. Interacts with distribution center leadership teams to ensure polices, procedures, audits, and training programs are understood and followed. This position requires an individual with strong analysis skills to promote our supplier compliance program and will contribute significantly to the organization's overall food safety and quality objectives.

Job Responsibilities:

Core Responsibilities

• Supplier Food Safety Program Evaluations

o Review and monitor Supplier Food Safety Assessments (FSA) and supporting Food Safety documents for standard diligence rated suppliers to ensure compliance with 3rd party certifications, UNFI policies, and regulatory requirements

o Review and monitor supplier Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) and National Organic Program (NOP) supplemental documents for accuracy and completeness. Review and approves onboarding of organic suppliers and product documentation to ensure compliance with organic and 3 rd party certifications

o Work collaboratively with FSQA Supplier Manager to develop next steps to assist suppliers obtaining compliance if they have deficiencies

o Reviews and approves onboarding of organic suppliers and product documentation to ensure compliance with organic and 3 rd party certifications

• Audits and Monitoring

o Conduct food safety audits and inspections at supplier locations using updated risk evaluations as part of the enhanced supplier compliance program

o Coordinates and schedules organic and food safety audits, and food safety training courses

o Assists with company organic audits, providing vendor organic certifications and all relevant documentation required

• Legal and Regulatory Compliance

o Stay informed on applicable regulatory (FDA, USDA, FSIS, CFIA,) food safety rules and regulations.

• Investigation and Remediation

o Review and respond to actions assigned in incident management system for rejected load issues, customer complaint issues escalated to FSQA Supplier Management Team

o Investigate product quality and compliance issues or incidents when suppliers implicated as the source

• Record Keeping and Documentation

o Utilize document repositories, databases, and SharePoint to ensure organized and easily accessible shared data files are tracked and measured by supplier food safety compliance.

o Maintain accurate and up to date records of all supplier assessments, audits, supplier investigations, and corrective actions.

• Collaboration

o Collaborate with supplier partners to ensure compliance during new supplier onboarding and annual existing supplier reviews.

• Communication

o Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders on food safety issues, ensuring timely and accurate information sharing.

• SQF program support

o Assist DCs when GFSI audits or regulatory inspections are occurring and requesting supplier compliance documents or supplier approval process information and data

o Assist DCs with NOP certification requests when audits or regulatory inspections are occurring.

• Consistently drive and execute innovation for food safety messaging, development of food safety culture, and nurture the belief that food safety is and should always be everyone's top priority

Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Responsibilities

• Assists with development of National Organic Program (NOP) corrective actions

• Manages and maintains relationship with external 3 rd party certification bodies (ex. organic, SQF/GDP, etc.)

• Collects, maintains and verifies organic certificates and certified Product List from UNFI suppliers

• Coordinates organic compliance with new distribution centers

• Reviews vendor organic labeling for supplier onboarding

• Develops and executes organic compliance training to internal stakeholders (ex. Buyers, Merchandisers, SRMs, Inventory Control, etc.)

• Provides organic documentation to support operations and external customers

• Collaborates with operations stakeholders to obtain information needed to ensure compliance for facility changes and/or new site openings

• Hold quarterly reviews with organic certifying body for organic compliance

• Foster close working relationships with internal UNFI teams to promote maintaining of organic integrity

• Maintains active working relationships with all appropriate industry and regulatory bodies

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor's Degree with major course work in Food science, Public Health, Biology or closely related field.

• HACCP, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual, and SQF Practitioner certifications preferred.

Experience:

• 2-3 years of experience in food safety and quality assurance, with supplier management program knowledge is desirable

• Experience in working with and influencing internal stakeholders

• Experience implementing food safety programs, organic compliance, and strategies

• Experience in supplier investigations and root cause analysis

• Experience in conducting and reviewing supplier audits and assessments

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

• Familiarity with FDA Food Code, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and other relevant food safety rules and regulations

• Familiarity with Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) schemes, FSVP, and NOP

• Familiarity with food safety management systems such as HACCP

• Ability to balance multiple priorities often with competing deadlines
• Strong analytical skills for data interpretation and analysis
• Computer skills in word processing and spreadsheet software
• Flexible and adaptable to learning and understanding new technologies
• Must be able to interface effectively with a wide variety of internal personnel and external partners

Work Environment:

Remote Role:

• This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their Manager.

Travel (major):

• Travel is required up to (25)% for this position

Physical Environment/Demands:

Office Roles:

• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment

• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear

• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday

• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department and/or location.