Supplier Management Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

  Oterra is the global leader in naturally sourced colors for food, beverages, dietary supplements, and pet food. Guided by our belief that nature got it right the first time, we create innovative, sustainable color solutions that help customers bring naturally colored products to consumers worldwide.

Our people are at the center of everything we do. We foster a collaborative and purpose-driven culture where employees are encouraged to learn, grow, and contribute to meaningful work every day. With a growing U.S. facility in Mount Pleasant, Oterra offers exciting opportunities to join a global organization committed to our customers, innovation, and sustainability.

General Summary

Maintain and improve vendor and raw material management system to ensure compliance to global quality and food safety standards (FSSC 22000) and regulatory requirements supporting the business needs.

• Lead supplier development and qualification, vendor, toll manufacturers, critical service providers, in the area of responsibility in partnership with sourcing and R&D functions
• Completes risk assessment of raw materials based on supplier documentation; prepare raw material specifications, maintenances of raw material documentation. 
• Completes raw material approval flow and specification control through implementation and maintenance of data.
• Raw material approval and specification creation are based on risk assessment of supplier documentation, audits and/or evaluations. 
• Completes maintenance schedule for raw material and documentation updates; includes quality, food safety and regulatory updates. 
• Raw material template review/maintenance per global requirements (EU, FDA, CODEX, JECFA), risk assessments and global procedure.
• Approve and maintain Vendor/Manufacturer approval, risk assessment, evaluation and/or audit in conjunction with risk assessment 
• Carry out vendor´s audit calendar and follow up on audit completion 
• Global audit team member; complete audits per schedule; includes audit follow up 
• Raw material alert site: monitor alerts, maintain status, complete investigation per global process flow
• Support global HACCP team 
• Support during internal and external audits related to vendor and raw material management 
• Assist with corrective actions for vendor/raw material system related non-conformities and complaints 
• General support to the business on raw material questions and issues (Business Support, Product Managers, Sourcing, Innovation, Regulatory Affairs etc.) 
• Global maintenance and process improvements: questionnaires, document control, risk assessment, change management, approvals, specification creation, documentation, vendor/raw material sites to assure compliance to regulatory, Q&FS. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a scientific discipline; min 2 years of experience in product development, food safety or quality, regulatory in the food business 
• Effective communication skills: ability to read, write and speak English; comfortable working in an international environment 
• ISO 22000 Auditor/Lead Auditor Certified 
• Working knowledge of HACCP, PRP, OPRP, manufacturing processes, production technology, products, raw materials and quality, food safety and safety issues, local and global Food Safety legislation and regulations  
• Experience with risk and root cause analysis  
• Ability to effectively comprehend, assimilate and communicate local and global procedures and standards 
• Computer/IT skills; experienced systems user (e.g. Microsoft Office, SharePoint, SAP).  
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment, set direction; negotiating, facilitating, capable of making pragmatic decisions; good at prioritizing and multi-tasking 
• Understanding of ethical and corporate social responsibility 
• Expected to travel up to 5-10% annually 

What We Offer

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance available upon hire
• Generous paid time off plus 11 company-paid holidays
• Retirement contributions to help support your future
• Monthly employee engagement events and team celebrations
• A collaborative culture that encourages career growth, professional development, and internal opportunities
• The chance to be part of a supportive team where your contributions make an impact