Supply Quality Specialist - San Leandro, CA

The Supply Quality Assurance Specialist works closely with suppliers, internal teams, and external auditors to maintain compliance, resolve quality issues, and drive continuous improvement across the supply chain. This role is responsible for assessing, qualifying, and monitoring ingredient and packaging suppliers, warehouses, and services. This role is an active member of the commercialization team, supporting new product and process start-up activities. The Supply Quality Assurance Specialist drives resolution of supplier non-conformances and maintains quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance documentation.

• Recommend approval or rejection of potential new ingredient and packaging suppliers, warehouses, and services based on thorough assessments of quality and food safety compliance against Ghirardelli standards.
• Investigate and resolve supplier-related nonconformances and implement corrective/preventive actions
• Maintain strong professional relationships across suppliers, service, and internal teams to enable responsive partnerships
• Participate as a member of commercialization business teams and take the lead on initiatives involving Ghirardelli quality policies, procedures, and requirements
• Maintain, refine and improve processes to meet customer requirements
• Maintain Kosher program requirements for ingredients and finished products
• Manage Supply Quality databases to ensure ingredient and packaging information is accurate and up-to-date
• Ensure ingredients, packaging, and services are procured according to Ghirardelli standards and address any discrepancies with internal/external parties
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Prepare reporting to provide insight into quality and food safety metrics
• Stay informed about industry regulations and ensure supply quality processes align with relevant standards, certifications, and legal requirements
• Support regulatory and 3rd party food safety audits
• Drive continuous improvement through data analysis and accountability in a self-directed manner
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's Degree (Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, or closely related field of study)
• FSMA compliant PCQI and HACCP certification; Familiarity with GFSI audits and regulatory inspections
• Strong knowledge of quality systems (GMP, HACCP, FSMA, GFSI, Auditing)
• 2+ years of experience in Quality and auditing in the food industry with a broad understanding of industry standards and best practices
• Demonstrated excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Effective communication and negotiation abilities
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, including Word and Excel, and comfortable using Quality Management Systems (QMS)
• Energetic, self-motivated and the ability to act with a sense of urgency

Preferred:

• Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) and/or Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
• Chocolate experience
• SAP experience