About the company
Albertsons Companies is at the forefront of the revolution in retail. With a fixation on innovation and building culture, our team is rallying our company around a unique vision: forging a retail winner that is admired for national strength, deep roots in the communities we serve, and a team that has passion for food and delivering great service.
Albertsons is one of the largest retail employers, providing approximately 300,000 jobs across 2,200 stores, 22 distribution centers, 20 food and beverage plants and various support offices. We operate in 34 states and the District of Columbia under the Albertsons banner, as well as Safeway, Tom Thumb, Jewel Osco, Shaw’s, and many more recognizable names.
What you will be doing
This position is responsible for assuring vendor compliance with company food safety and quality standards.
The position utilizes personal experience and expertise in the areas of food safety, food quality, good manufacturing, and sanitation practices to provide supplier assessment and approval status for external manufacturing sites. This position is critical to ensuring supplier program compliance and avoidance of product retrievals and recalls that can result from noncompliance to product and package regulations. Interfaces with USDA, FDA, and state regulators to maintain standards and resolve complex issues. Reviews and responds to inspection reports and complaint investigations, including confirming that appropriate corrective actions are taken, including recommendations for strategic improvement. The position reports directly to the Group Manager, FSQA & Regulatory Compliance for the Own Brands private label business.
The position will be based in Pleasanton CA.
Main responsibilities
- Manage the supplier certification process including carrying out risk assessment of supplier programs, conducting on-site audits and communicating outcomes effectively to both internal and external parties.
- Manage the Supplier Quality Improvement Program and quantify its effectiveness by analyzing consumer feedback or process data and utilizing technical skills such as SPC, Excel, Mini Tab.
- Coordinate product recalls and withdrawals with suppliers and serve as a department expert for crisis management as it relates to product safety.
- Act as a liaison for regulatory requests and inquiries such as FDA, USDA, State Inspectors.
- Provide support to sales and business by facilitating key supplier meetings, conducting site visits, and working through any quality or safety issues with suppliers until they are resolved satisfactorily.
- Ensure manufacturing sites can deliver on the expectations set forth in the supplier agreement, Own Brands policies, product formulations and finished good specifications. Communicate any potential gaps and risk exposures to both internal and external parities as needed.
- Enforce Albertsons Food Safety & Quality Assurance Policies with suppliers.
- Review and evaluate product quality, establish continuous improvement plan objectives, or address corrective actions with suppliers.
- Create and communicate executive reports on quality related issues and address key findings across multifunctional teams.
- Remain current with federal regulations as they relate to the Company’s products, GMP’s and analytical requirements, and ensure with supplier’s regulatory requirements are met.
- Execute programs as related to the Corporate Quality Assurance function.
- Manage the supplier Certificate of Analysis program to assure compliance with product specifications.
- Serve as a technical resource and provide guidance for Own Brands private label organization.
- Assist retail divisions in resolving product quality issues.
- Travel - Company-wide, 75% or more across multiple time zones
What we are searching for
- Ability to analyze process capability data to assure compliance with specifications. Experience utilizing Process Improvement methods such as: SPC, DMAIC, 8D, Ishikawa, Six Sigma
- Ability to motivate, manage, lead, and influence subordinates, peers, and superiors
- Prioritize efforts based on risk, importance and urgency. Ability self-manage complex and meet deliverables in a timely manner.
- Strong computer skills including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Excellent written/verbal communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, including strong management ability in a team-based culture.
- Thorough knowledge of US regulatory compliance requirements
- Independent thinker with the ability to manage a complex workload with changing priorities. Energetic and self-motivated with the ability to act with a sense of urgency and intensity
We believe the successful candidate has these qualifications and experience:
- Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Microbiology, Engineering, or related scientific field
- 4 years Quality Management experience in a variety of food and/or general merchandise/health, beauty, pharmaceutical, cosmetic manufacturing, and processing environments
- Working knowledge of AQL sampling plans in a manufacturing setting is preferred
- Supplier quality management, including audit experience, is required In-depth knowledge of food safety, product quality programs, preventive QC methods, HACCP/PCQI certified, GMP’s, environmental pathogen monitoring, allergen control and manufacturing process controls
- 2 years Quality Auditing experience preferred
- GFSI (BRC, SQF, ISO 22,000, IFS, PrimusGFS) ASQ, or equivalent sector audit certification
- SA8000 certification or the ability to demonstrate knowledge of equivalent social responsibility programs
- Certification or working knowledge of animal welfare principles
- 2 years Laboratory experience is preferred
- Travel - Company-wide, 75% or more across multiple time zones
What it is like at Albertsons?
Albertsons Culture Principles
Compassion: We always treat each other with kindness and respect
Team: We always support and recognize each other
Inclusive: We always value everyone’s perspective
Learning: We always strive to grow and develop ourselves and others
Competitive: We always act with integrity to win over the customer
Ownership: We always take actions to drive our success
