Job Details

Job Location: Everett Plant - Everett, WA

Salary Range: $100000.00 - $130000.00

Job Description

The Technical Services Manager — Supply Chain owns the supplier and raw-material assurance system so materials are approved, documented, risk-assessed, and maintained in alignment with Kettle Cuisine, customer, regulatory, and food-safety requirements. The role establishes program standards, leads escalation and supplier performance management, and manages the Vendor Ingredient Specialist positions.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier approval, raw-material approval, conditional approval, supplier-audit, and incoming-goods programs.
• Maintain and assign risk classifications, review frequency, escalation criteria, and approval standards for raw materials & suppliers.
• Analyze and report existing standards against potential future risks – including changing regulations, customer assurance requirements, food fraud.
• Develop and maintain the Supplier Manual, standard forms, and documentation requirements.
• Monitor and report supplier compliance trends and recurring documentation gaps; develop solutions in concert with Customer Quality Technical Manager and Purchasing teams.
• Lead and develop Vendor & Ingredient Specialists.
• Direct high-risk supplier reviews, site visits, emergency substitutions, and conditional approvals.
• Collaborate with the FSQ Internal Auditor as well as the larger FSQA team on supplier performance and food safety or quality audits.

Qualifications (Education / Experience / Skills)

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Quality; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Seven or more years of experience in supplier quality, food safety, technical services, regulatory compliance, or procurement quality.
• Experience with supplier approval, audits, CAPA, risk assessment, SQF/GFSI, FSMA, FSVP, and food-fraud controls.
• Strong analytical, organizational, project-management, decision-making, and written-communication skills.
• Ability to travel to suppliers and Kettle Cuisine sites and work in manufacturing environments.

Success Measures

• Supplier and material documentation meets defined completeness, currency, and approval targets.
• Conditional approvals, supplier changes, and high-risk items are visible, time-bound, and escalated appropriately.
• Supplier performance trends lead to documented corrective action or prevention plans.
• Improved documentation-aging visibility, reporting, and system controls.

As a Leader Within the Kettle Cuisine Team, You Are Expected To

• Model and support Kettle Cuisine’s Core Values and safety culture.
• Develop individual team members and their careers.
• Create a culture of accountability and performance.
• Drive a focus on quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• Plan work, track results, and resolve issues.

Required Attributes

• Self-directed, with high integrity and sound judgment.
• Able to make timely, risk-based decisions and document the rationale and controls.
• Positive, collaborative, and able to build strong supplier and internal relationships.
• Organized and able to manage priorities, projects, metrics, and escalations.
• Willing to address difficult situations with patience and respect.
• Able to travel and work in manufacturing environments as required.