Supervisor, Contract Quality Assurance

Overview

Role at a Glance

As a Supervisor, Contract Quality Assurance, you will be responsible for managing quality assurance activities across external manufacturing partners and suppliers, ensuring products are manufactured in compliance with regulatory requirements, quality standards, and validation protocols. You will play a key role in driving supplier quality excellence, regulatory compliance, risk management, and continuous improvement initiatives.

How You'll Make an Impact

• Lead quality oversight of external contract manufacturers (CMs) and supplier sites.
• Conduct supplier audits and support vendor technical capability development programs.
• Drive continuous quality improvement initiatives and oversee remediation plans.
• Monitor supplier quality performance through periodic reviews and compliance assessments.
• Lead investigations, Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs), change controls, and quality risk assessments.
• Support GMP audits, regulatory inspections, and compliance-related activities.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Research & Development, Science & Technology, and Commercial functions.
• Serve as the Quality Assurance Lead during product technology transfers, validation activities, and new product introductions (NPI).
• Partner with Manufacturing, Sourcing, R&D, Technical Centers, Regulatory Affairs, Marketing, Global Sourcing, and Contract Manufacturers to ensure quality requirements are met throughout the product lifecycle.
• Provide technical guidance on product risks, design considerations, quality expectations, and potential trade-offs to support informed business decisions.

Team Dynamics

• Drive alignment and consensus across cross-functional teams on product design, risk management, quality, cost, and commercialization priorities while balancing business objectives with technical and compliance requirements.

Leadership and Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise a team of 1-2 direct and indirect reports.
• Provide functional and project leadership to drive supplier quality improvements, contract manufacturing excellence, and on-time product delivery.
• Foster a culture of quality, compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement across internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications for Success

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Pharmacy (B.Pharm), Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Quality Assurance, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, or a related field.
• Proven experience managing HACCP systems and food safety programs.
• Experience leading supplier audits, GMP audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Demonstrated success in driving compliance, quality improvements, and corrective action programs.
• Strong understanding of FMEA, HACCP, risk assessment methodologies, and quality risk management.
• Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Experience in food manufacturing, regulated industries, or quality leadership roles.
• Knowledge of food ingredients, nutritional functions, product formulations, calculations, and data analysis.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong expertise in supplier quality management and external manufacturing oversight.
• Sound knowledge of food safety regulations, GMP, HACCP, QMS, and quality compliance systems.
• Proven ability to lead continuous improvement and quality excellence initiatives.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk assessment capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to develop concise technical documentation and present complex information effectively.
• Experience working with global and cross-cultural teams.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to influence, coach, and collaborate across functions.
• Proficiency in quality tools and methodologies, including CAPA, Root Cause Analysis, FMEA, and Risk Management.