Specialist, fsqa canada - customers and suppliers - contract (1 year)

Hungry for a career that’s as rewarding as it is delicious? At Aspire Bakeries, we don’t just bake breads, cookies, and cakes - we create foods that bring people together. From La Brea Bakery® artisan breads to Otis Spunkmeyer® cookies, our products are enjoyed by millions of people every day. And behind every bite are talented manufacturing and support teams who take pride in their work and our food.

We’re looking for hard-working people who will bring integrity, creativity, and a passion for excellence to everything they do - whether that’s on the bakery floor, in the office, or supporting customers. In return, we offer a workplace culture built on care, ownership, and growth - where your contributions matter and your career can rise as high as our bread loaves!

With 13 commercial bakeries across North America and a reputation as an industry leader, Aspire Bakeries is rising together with our people and our customers to be the best all-around bakery solution. If you’re ready to grow with us, we’d love to hear from you.

Why You’ll Love Working At Aspire Bakeries

• Culture - Our culture thrives on collaboration, diversity, and a shared passion for excellence. We support team members, empower growth, and encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work.
• Health & Wellness – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus company-paid life insurance and additional voluntary options to fit your needs, including disability coverage.
• Work-Life Balance – Paid parental leave, generous paid time off, and holidays so you can recharge and spend time on what matters most.
• Retirement Savings – A competitive registered retirement plan (RPP) with immediate company match.
• Growth & Development – Opportunities to build skills, grow your career, and develop expertise through Aspire Bakeries’ learning and development programs.
• Recognition & Rewards – Performance incentive plans that celebrate achievements across sales, bakery performance, and individual contributions.

About the Role

We are seeking a Food Safety and Quality Assurance Specialist – Customers and Suppliers to join our team at our Ancaster Bakery. As a Food Safety and Quality Assurance Specialist – Customers and Suppliers, you will be accountable for leading customer complaint resolution, supplier approval programs, and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen food safety, quality performance, and customer satisfaction. This role plays a critical part in maintaining supplier compliance, reducing complaint occurrences, and supporting Aspire Bakeries' commitment to delivering safe, high-quality products.

This role requires you to be onsite in Ancaster, Ontario four days per week, giving you hands-on collaboration with the team and daily exposure to the pulse of the business.

Compensation

Salary Range: $65,000-$75,000 annually

Core Accountabilities (What You’ll Be Doing)

• Lead the customer complaint management program, including investigations, root cause analysis, and customer communications.
• Manage supplier approval and material verification programs to ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards.
• Analyze complaint trends and supplier performance data to identify risks and improvement opportunities.
• Develop and implement corrective actions that improve KPIs and reduce quality-related incidents.
• Coordinate traceability exercises and maintain accurate ingredient and packaging tracking records.
• Administer food safety risk programs, including food fraud prevention and mitigation activities.
• Support food safety audits, training initiatives, and compliance with GMP, HACCP, and health and safety requirements.

Minimum Qualifications (What You Bring to the Table)

(Required to be considered)

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, or another relevant scientific discipline.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities.
• Experience preparing reports and interpreting quality-related data.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications (Extra Ingredients for Success)

(Nice-to-haves that could set candidates apart)

• HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) training or certification.
• Training or experience with a GFSI-recognized food safety standard such as SQF or BRCGS.
• Experience managing customer complaints within a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting supplier quality assurance or supplier approval programs.
• Previous experience participating in third-party food safety audits.

We thank each applicant for taking the time and effort to submit a resume; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Ready to Grow with Aspire Bakeries? Ready to grow your career with a company that values your work and your future? Apply today and become part of our team at Aspire Bakeries!