External Supplier Quality Auditor

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are
At JonnyPops, our team is empowered to make an impact every day — from producing high-quality, innovative frozen novelties to spreading kindness one pop at a time. We look for bright and ambitious individuals who seek out challenges, thrive in fast-paced and high-growth environments, align with our core values, and get fulfillment from seeing their work transform the world around them.

Based in Elk River, MN, JonnyPops develops, manufactures, distributes, and markets frozen novelties. Growing from a dorm-room start-up in 2012, our mission is to make “A Better Pop for a Better World!” — and we lead the frozen novelties space in innovation, using simple ingredients with no artificial dyes. Every pop stick includes a kind deed, spreading kindness every day.
As we grow, we continue to partner with brands that share our commitment to purposeful food, thoughtful sourcing, and making a positive impact. This role supports both the JonnyPops brand and a like-minded partner brand focused on clean ingredients sourced from the highest-quality suppliers, with the opportunity to contribute to additional partnerships over time.
Together, we are looking to add motivated people who thrive in fast-moving environments, embrace challenges with creativity, and care about building something meaningful.
Job Summary
The External Supply Chain Auditor is a field-based role responsible for executing supplier food safety audits, co-manufacturer compliance visits, and 3PL/warehouse oversight across our supply base. This role operates at approximately 80% travel and own’s on-site supplier accountability, ensuring all external partners meet our food safety and regulatory standards.

Essential Food Safety Responsibilities

• Conduct on-site and remote audits of ingredient and packaging suppliers. Execute the risk-based audit schedule, aligned to SQF and customer audit expectations.
• Perform on-site food safety compliance visits for all co-manufacturing partners across JonnyPops’ portfolio. Review food safety plans, identify gaps, and drive corrective actions to verified closure.
• Audit third-party logistics and warehouse partners for food safety, storage, and handling compliance. Verify cold chain integrity and pest control documentation are maintained.
• Prepare and submit written audit reports following each supplier visit, documenting findings, risk ratings, and corrective action requirements in a timely manner.
• Issue Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs) following audit findings and drive them to verified closure. Escalate unresolved supplier risks and ensure SCAR documentation is captured.
• Collect, review, and assess supplier certifications, COAs, allergen statements, and compliance records for accuracy and completeness against JonnyPops requirements.
• Partner with Procurement and Supply Chain on new supplier onboarding food safety input and risk classification. Provide field-based observations to support supplier tier decisions.
• Provide supplier food safety performance observations and field findings to support cross-functional reporting and customer audit readiness.
• Stay current on food safety regulations, GFSI/SQF standards, and customer expectations. Apply knowledge to field audit execution and supplier risk assessment.
• Food Safety team member.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Supply Chain, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in supplier quality, food safety auditing, or FSQA in a food manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of SQF, GFSI standards, and FDA food safety regulations (FSMA, HACCP).
• Demonstrated experience conducting supplier or co-manufacturer audits.
• PCQI, HACCP, Lead Auditor, or SQF Practitioner certification preferred.
• Experience with supplier management systems (TraceGains or similar) a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to clearly document findings and drive corrective actions across external partners.
• Organized and detail-oriented with the ability to manage an active audit calendar and multiple supplier relationships simultaneously.
• Frozen, dairy, or RTE manufacturing supply chain experience preferred.

Additional Requirements

• Naturally curious, with an appreciation for ambiguity and the ability to embrace the “test and learn” mentality in pursuit of continuous improvement.
• Alignment to our mission to spread kindness — JonnyPops is a kindness-based company.
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
Physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This is a field-based role requiring approximately 80% travel by air and ground. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for extended periods during travel, walk through manufacturing and warehouse facilities during audits, stand for prolonged periods on plant floors, and use hands to operate tools, handle documents, and manage inspection equipment. The employee must be able to navigate active production environments, including areas with variable temperatures (refrigerated and frozen storage), elevated noise levels, and uneven surfaces. Occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs (bags, audit equipment, supplies) may be required. The employee must be able to travel domestically with regularity, including overnight stays, and maintain full availability during peak audit periods.

 

JonnyPops offers a competitive benefits package which includes the following:

• Medical/Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• HSA
• FSA
• DCFSA
• Life & AD&D Insurance
• Short & Long Term Disability
• FTO/PTO
• EAP Programs
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• Sick & Safe Leave
• 401k
• Company Sponsored Meal Plan

* Hired candidates may be eligible to receive additional compensation in the form of bonuses and/or commissions.

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