Why is this role important:

This role is accountable for managing an assigned vendor portfolio to ensure compliance with Loblaw's food safety, quality, regulatory and vendor performance requirements. The Sr. Specialist, Vendor Quality Assurance supports the execution of Loblaw's Quality Strategy by conducting vendor risk assessments, managing quality issues, supporting audit programs, and driving continuous improvement initiatives with vendors. Working collaboratively with Product Quality Assurance, Product Development, Sourcing, Regulatory, Supply Chain and vendor partners, this role serves as the primary quality contact for vendor performance, food safety compliance, and quality risk management.

What you'll do:

• Manage an assigned vendor portfolio and maintain oversight of vendor food safety, quality and regulatory compliance programs.
• Conduct vendor risk assessments and evaluate food safety and quality risks associated with products, manufacturing processes, raw materials, packaging systems and supply chain operations.
• Support vendor approval, onboarding and ongoing monitoring programs through review of audit reports, corrective action plans, certifications and compliance documentation.
• Lead investigations related to vendor quality issues, customer complaints, product non-conformances and food safety concerns, ensuring timely root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Generate, analyze and communicate vendor quality performance metrics and reports, identifying trends, risks and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Partner with vendors to develop and implement performance improvement action plans that strengthen food safety systems, quality programs and operational controls.
• Review and assess vendor food safety programs, HACCP plans, prerequisite programs, allergen controls, environmental monitoring programs and quality management systems.
• Support vendor audits, structured vendor visits and third-party audit activities, ensuring findings are addressed within established timelines.
• Participate in technical reviews and risk assessments for new products, product changes, reformulations and supplier changes to ensure quality and food safety requirements are met.
• Evaluate testing results, specifications, packaging changes and quality documentation to verify ongoing compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.
• Escalate significant food safety, quality and compliance risks as appropriate and provide recommendations to mitigate business impact.
• Collaborate with Product Quality Assurance, Product Development, Regulatory, Supply Chain and Commercial teams to support successful product launches and ongoing product quality performance.
• Maintain knowledge of Canadian regulatory requirements, GFSI-recognized standards, emerging industry trends and best practices related to food safety and quality management.
• Support implementation and continuous improvement of Loblaw Quality Management System initiatives and quality programs.
• Build effective collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders and vendor partners to promote a culture of food safety, quality excellence and continuous improvement.
• Commitment to promoting a workplace of inclusiveness and belonging.

What you bring:

• University degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Engineering or related discipline.
• 5-7 years of experience in Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Supplier/Vendor Quality Management or Quality Systems within the food or consumer packaged goods industry.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, Prerequisite Programs, Quality Management Systems, GFSI-recognized standards, supplier quality management and audit programs.
• Experience conducting vendor assessments, audit reviews, corrective action management and risk-based decision making.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes, quality systems and regulatory requirements within the Canadian food industry.
• Demonstrated ability to investigate complex quality issues, perform root cause analysis and drive sustainable corrective actions.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess risk, interpret technical data and make sound business recommendations.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills with the ability to engage effectively with vendors and cross-functional business partners.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently while collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Experience with audit management systems, quality issue management systems, SAP Quality Module and business intelligence reporting tools is considered an asset.

* Travel is required for the role and may include local, national and international travel, including vendor site visits and audits.

Hiring Range / Échelle salariale à l'embauche :

$68,000.00 - $93,500.00 / 68.000,00$ - 93.500,00$ (per year / par an)

A candidate's experience and knowledge as well as the geographical region in which the position is located may be factored into the pay a candidate receives for this position. This posting is for an existing vacancy. The Company uses artificial intelligence for the purpose of screening, assessing and/or selecting applicants for this position. / L'expérience et les connaissances d'un candidat ainsi que la région géographique dans laquelle le poste est situé peuvent être prises en compte dans la rémunération qu'un candidat reçoit pour ce poste. Cette offre d'emploi concerne un poste vacant existant. L'entreprise utilise l'intelligence artificielle dans le but de filtrer, d'évaluer et/ou de sélectionner les candidats à ce poste.

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