Supplier Assurance & Raw Materials Technologist

PURPOSE OF THE POST:

The main purpose of the role is to provide accurate, up to date and comprehensive supplier assurance and raw material documentation in the required formats meeting the procedures of the Ferndale Foods quality management system and customer requirements. The Supplier Assurance & Raw Materials Technologist is a key role in the delivery of accurate and consistent data to the entire site in order to produce safe and quality products.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Work cross-functionally to ensure that all new raw materials are sourced and purchased from approved suppliers, and to acceptable specifications, including consideration of specific customers requirements, our process capabilities and finished product requirements.

Liaise with suppliers to approve specifications in correct format, request further information and resolve any non-conformances.

Maintain a database of specifications, ensuring reviewed within correct time period and any updates communicated within the team.

Maintain all supplier and raw material risk assessments, including vulnerability assessments and ingredient mapping. Ensure results of risk assessments are appropriately cascaded and actions taken where necessary.

Work with technical management to implement raw material testing requirements based on risk assessment, customer specification, COP, policy and legality.

Monitor vendors performance and communicate effectively within the company.

Maintain our traceability programs and procedures to support the assurance schemes and key commodity accreditations we participate in.

Routinely audit our compliance to assurance schemes, and ensure corrective actions are closed off. Communicate non-conformances and corrective actions to key stakeholders.

Work effectively within the technical team and in association with other departments ensuring that the flow of information is maintained to be transparent and communicated as required.

Provide technical support to other colleagues as required in relevant administration functions e.g. sample submission forms, QCP documents QAS, QMS, data inputting.

Support intake team in making decisions regarding raw material compliance

Assist customers with raw material related queries.

Investigate relevant food safety alerts

.Internal auditing

KEY ACTIVITIES

.Review and approval of raw material specifications

.Management of specification information database

.Supplier approval

.Completion and review of risk assessments, including vulnerability assessments and ingredient mapping

.Trending and tracking KPI information

.Ensuring compliance of raw materials to key commodity accreditations (e.g TWA, MSC, RSPO, etc)

.Review and maintenance of procedures

.Track and investigate latest food industry risks and alerts relevant to raw materials

.Ensure raw materials are tested as per requirements

.Ensure appropriate due diligence in place for all existing suppliers

.Internal auditing of systems

.GMP audits

.Any other duties as agreed with Technical Systems & Compliance Manager

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential Experience/Training:

.Minimum 2 years food industry experience including previous or similar experience in a supplier assurance role/ food related qualifications

.HACCP training

.Understanding of food safety

.Accurate data input capabilities (including within Microsoft Excel) with an eye for detail

Desirable Experience/Training:

.VACCP and TACCP training

.Understanding of commodity accreditations (e.g. TWA, MSC, RSPO)

.Familiarity with customer codes of practice specific to sourcing of raw materials

.Internal audit training

Ideal Characteristic/Skills:

.Highly organised

.Tenacious

.Ability to work to tight deadlines that may lead to working outside normal shift pattern

.Self-motivated

.Team Player

.Excellent communication skills

.Key skills required include numeracy, literacy, communication and computer skills