New

Sr Manager, Supplier Food Safety and QA

Meijer
parental leave
United States, Michigan, Grand Rapids
Feb 18, 2026
As a family company, we serve people and communities. When you work at Meijer, you're provided with career and community opportunities centered around leadership, personal growth and development. Consider joining our family - take care of your career and your community! Meijer Rewards Weekly pay Scheduling flexibility Paid parental leave Paid education assistance Team member discount Development programs for advancement and career growth Please review the job profile below and apply today! Lead the end to end Food Safety and risk mitigation) strategy for Own Brand suppliers-from qualification and risk assessment through ongoing performance management, incident response, and continuous improvement. You will design and govern a risk based supplier management framework aligned to regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA FSMA, USDA, etc.), GFSI benchmarked standards, and our brand's performance ambitions, while developing a high performing team and cross functional partnerships across Own Brands, Sourcing, Product Development, Manufacturing/Operations, and Distribution. To end Food Safety based supplier management framework benchmarked standards, and our brand's performance ambitions, while developing a high performing team and cross functional partnerships across WhatYou'llBe Doing: Strategy & Governance Build and own a risk based supplier Food Safety strategy for Own Brands and Meijer Manufacturing ingredients (ingredients, finished goods, and packaging), including segmentation across categories. based supplier Establish policies and standards based on science, industry best practices, emerging risks, regulatory requirements, which incorporates GFSI requirements across multitiered supply networks; embed compliance into business requirements and create data to inform supplier scorecards.tiered supply networks; embed compliance into busines Translate regulatory changes and emerging risks into clear, prioritized controls, SOPs, and verification plans. Determine supplier compliance with applicable regulations beyond FSMA/USDA (e.g., CPSIA, DOE, state/local) in assigned categories. Support implementation of department processes, standards, policies, and projects in a timely manner. Supplier Qualification & Ongoing Assurance Build the program to establish, implement, and manage the Meijer Supplier Food Safety Standard. Lead standard development, risk model development, determine the risk ranking requirements, qualification, approval, and maintenance audits of supplier facilities; oversee corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) and escalation pathways. Integrate food safety requirements for product and process controls within the Own Brand product specifications, collaborating with QA/Product Development; ensure claims (e.g., allergen, "gluten free") are scientifically supported and verified. free") are scientifically supported and verified. Identify 3P auditing partners to facilitate desk and facility level reviews to verify supplier compliance against the Meijer Standard. This includes facility-level claims (e.g., gluten-free, allergen programs) per regulatory guidance and Meijer standards; and prerequisite programs (pest management, GMPs, allergen control, foreign material prevention, environmental monitoring, master sanitation, food fraud, preventive equipment maintenance) within supplier operations. Deploy process capability and SPC programs to improve supplier reliability and reduce variability in critical parameters. Incident Management & Business Continuity Own supplier related incident response (holds, withdrawals, recalls) including track & hold protocols, rapid risk assessment, and crisis communications; manage investigations of product or facility-related issues with suppliers; ensure effective root cause analysis and durable corrective/preventive action.related incident response (holds, withdrawals, recalls) including Monitor outbreaks/recalls and translate lessons learned into preventive changes and supplier requirements. Establishes and defines criteria for change management to ensure safety, compliance, and business continuity. Cross FunctionalLeadershipFunctionalLeadership Partner with Own Brands/Sourcing/Procurement on supplier selection, scorecards, and performance requirements; with Own Brand/Manufacturing & Sourcing on incoming controls and release; with Product Development on design for food safety and shelf life; and with Regulatory/Legal on label claims and compliance. forfoodsafety and shelflife; and with Build and maintain professional working relationships with suppliers while holding them accountable to Meijer standards. Serve as the Food Safety voice in commercialization and change control to ensure right-the first time- launches and risk informed substitutions. informed substitutions. Serve as the operational communication link between Meijer, stakeholders, and third-party partners (testing labs, audit/inspection companies) to execute verification activities. Escalate supplier/facility performance risks to leadership with QA recommendations on facility status, withdrawals/recalls, disposition, and performance action plans (from Supplier QA Manager). People & Culture Lead, coach, and develop a team of Food Safety professionals and external partners (labs, audit providers); build a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement. Provide targeted training (HACCP/FSMA Preventive Controls, FSVP, allergen control, foreign material prevention, environmental monitoring & sanitation, SPC). Digital Systems & Analytics Establish and create supplier/food safety platforms and dashboards to manage risk, specification requirements, and performance at scale; drive data informed decisions. informed decisions. Key Performance Indicators Establish Key Performance Indicators to document, track, and monitor supplier food safety requirements, aligned with Own Brands/Manufacturing/Sourcing/Merchandising. Examples of KRIs include: % suppliers approved/maintained on time; high risk suppliers with enhanced oversight metric time; highrisk suppliers with enhanced oversight Audit performance: major/critical nonconformances per audit; CAPA closure process time and reoccurrence rate. occurrence Incoming defect rate / COA conformity; first pass acceptance.pass Incident metrics: time to containment, recall/withdrawal readiness, right first time root cause quality tocontainment, recall/withdrawal readiness, rightfirsttime root cause quality Launch quality: launch to spec attainment; shelf life/sensory performance vs. claim. tospec attainment; shelflife/sensory performance vs. Determine methodology to incorporate KPIs into continuous improvement frameworks. What You BringWithYou: Bachelor's degree in food science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience). 8+ years in Food & Beverage quality/food safety with significant supplier management and manufacturing exposure; plant based quality leadership experience required. based quality leadership Strong working knowledge of FSMA/Preventive Controls/HACCP, GFSI benchmarked schemes (e.g., SQF, BRCGS), and retailer standards. benchmarked schemes (e.g., SQF, BRCGS), and retailer standards. Demonstrated capability in risk assessment, supplier auditing, statistical tools/SPC, change management, and leading complex cross functional projects. functional projects. Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at multiple levels and with external partners. Advanced degree (M.S. in Food Science/Engineering) or MBA; PCQI, HACCP, FSVP, and GFSI auditor/implementer credentials (preferred) Experience in global supplier networks and consumer brands; sustainability/ethical sourcing exposure (preferred) Familiarity with specification and supplier systems(preferred)