Supplier Quality Specialist

About Mizkan America

Mizkan America, headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, is a subsidiary of the Mizkan Group, a global, family-owned company that has been Bringing Flavor to Life™ for more than 220 years . As one of the leading manufacturers of vinegars, condiments, and sauces in the United States, Mizkan America operates 12 manufacturing facilities serving the retail, foodservice, specialty Asian, and food ingredient channels. Our portfolio includes trusted and iconic brands such as RAGÚ®, Bertolli®, Holland House®, Nakano®, and Mizkan®, enjoyed by consumers across North America.

Our success is built upon two core principles: continuously challenging the status quo and delivering only the finest products for our customers . We foster a culture where employees are encouraged to bring forward new ideas, challenge conventional thinking, and contribute to meaningful improvements across the organization. Transparency, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning are fundamental to how we operate and grow.

At Mizkan, you'll have the opportunity to work with iconic brands, collaborate with talented colleagues, and make an impact within a company that values innovation, development, and long-term success.

Why Join Mizkan?

At Mizkan, you'll have the opportunity to influence key business decisions, support some of the most recognized brands in the grocery aisle, and help shape category growth through insights, strategy, and innovation. You'll work alongside collaborative and passionate professionals who are committed to delivering results, serving customers, and continuously improving how we work.

We offer a culture that encourages ownership, fresh thinking, and professional development, empowering employees to contribute ideas, build new capabilities, and make a lasting impact on the business. Whether you're partnering with customers, commercializing innovation, or transforming insights into action, you'll play an important role in helping brands like RAGÚ®, Bertolli®, Holland House®, and Nakano® continue to grow and succeed in the marketplace.

Position Summary

The Supplier Quality Specislist supports supplier quality, contract manufacturing, and compliance programs to help ensure ingredient suppliers, packaging suppliers, and contract manufacturing partners meet applicable food safety, quality, regulatory, customer, and Mizkan requirements. This role is responsible for supporting supplier qualification and approval activities, maintaining supplier quality documentation and records, monitoring supplier performance, coordinating corrective action follow-up, and supporting audit readiness efforts. The Specialist, Supplier Quality works closely with Procurement, Operations, R&D, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, and Plant Quality teams to support supplier compliance, commercialization activities, and supplier-related quality initiatives. The position plays a key role in maintaining supplier quality systems, ensuring accurate and timely supplier documentation, supporting compliance programs, and helping resolve supplier-related quality issues while adhering to established food safety and quality standards.

What You'll Do

• Support supplier qualification, approval, and monitoring activities for ingredient suppliers, packaging suppliers, and contract manufacturing partners in accordance with established company requirements.
• Coordinate supplier onboarding activities, including collection, review, and maintenance of food safety, quality, regulatory, and technical documentation.
• Maintain supplier records within TraceGains and ensure required documents remain current, complete, and compliant with company standards.
• Monitor supplier compliance documentation and communicate document renewal requirements to suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain supplier performance scorecards, KPI tracking, and reporting tools to support supplier performance evaluations.
• Maintain Mizkan's Ingredient and Packaging Master Lists and ensure approved supplier information, specifications, and related records are accurate and up to date.
• Support supplier risk assessment activities and maintain associated records and documentation.
• Support the Supplier Document Review Form (SDRF) and Contract Manufacturing Document Review Form (CDRF) processes for supplier onboarding, new material approvals, packaging changes, and commercialization projects.
• Coordinate and track supplier documentation requirements needed to support ingredient and packaging approvals, plant trials, and product commercialization activities.
• Partner with Procurement, Operations, R&D, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, and Plant Quality teams to support supplier-related quality and compliance activities.
• Coordinate the Raw Material Defect Report (RMDR) process, including documentation, supplier follow-up, corrective action tracking, and reporting activities.
• Support investigations related to supplier quality concerns, material defects, non-conformances, traceability requests, recalls, withdrawals, and customer complaints.
• Monitor supplier corrective action requests (SCARs) and CAPA activities to ensure timely responses, implementation, and closure.
• Escalate supplier quality or compliance concerns to Quality leadership as appropriate.
• Assist in evaluating supplier performance trends and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Prepare, maintain, and organize supplier documentation, audit evidence, risk assessments, certifications, master data, and supplier quality records.
• Support audit readiness activities by ensuring supplier records and documentation are complete, organized, and readily accessible.
• Assist with internal, customer, regulatory, and certification audits, including SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000, and FDA audits.
• Coordinate supplier and contract manufacturing audit schedules and track corrective action follow-up activities.
• Maintain supplier quality files in accordance with company document retention and record management requirements.
• Participate in supplier quality and continuous improvement initiatives designed to strengthen compliance, quality performance, and operational effectiveness.
• Provide input on opportunities to improve supplier quality processes, documentation practices, and workflow efficiency.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings and support assigned project activities within established timelines.
• Perform other duties assigned that support the overall success of the team, department, or organization. This may include participating in cross-functional initiatives, contributing to process improvements, or assisting with special projects as needed.
• This list is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities required for this role.

What Skills You'll Bring

• Knowledge of food safety, supplier quality, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance principles.
• Strong organizational and documentation management skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze information and identify potential quality or compliance concerns.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with TraceGains or similar supplier management software preferred.
• Experience with supplier management systems, quality management systems, or databases preferred.
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement

Education, Experience, Qualifications, & Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Quality Assurance, or a related scientific field preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in food quality assurance, supplier quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, or a related quality function.
• Experience reviewing supplier documentation and supporting supplier qualification and approval processes.
• Working knowledge of food safety regulations, supplier compliance programs, and quality management systems.
• Experience supporting audits, corrective action programs, and document control processes preferred.
• Knowledge of GFSI-recognized standards such as SQF, BRCGS, and FSSC 22000 preferred.
• HACCP, PCQI, SQF Practitioner, ASQ, or related certifications are a plus. cross-functional team-based culture with a passion for delivering tangible results.

Physical Requirements & Work Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in an office environment with occasional visits to manufacturing facilities, suppliers, and contract manufacturing locations.
• Prolonged periods of sitting while working at a computer and performing administrative tasks.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, handling paperwork, and operating standard office equipment
• Ability to move throughout plant environments, including standing, walking, bending, and navigating production areas during site visits.
• Ability to view computer screens and printed materials for extended periods with accuracy.
• Occasionally lifting and carrying materials or files weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic communication.
• Ability to maintain focus and attention to detail while managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Regular, predictable, in-person attendance on the business days the Company requires in-person attendance at this facility. (In-person attendance is optional on the other workdays.) For non-required-in-person attendance days, employees are expected to be present and engaged during the designated work hours for this role.
• Occasional travel up to 15%

Compensation

Annual Salary Range: $75,000 - $95,000

Compensation is based on a variety of factors, including geographic market, education, skills, experience, and internal equity. Actual compensation may vary from the posted range.

Bonus Eligibility :This position is eligible for a 7% Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP) Bonus opportunity.

Benefits

Mizkan offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees and their families, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401k Plan with Company Match of up to 4%
• Profit Sharing Program
• Wellness Program
• Education Assistance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays.

Benefits eligibility and plan provisions are subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plans.

Mizkan America, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.

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