Technical Services Manager - Supply Chain

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)

- Bachelors 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 Cuisines 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.