Supplier Quality Manager

Description

Lyons Magnus leads the food industry with creativity and innovation, crafting top-quality products across all manufacturing phases, from raw materials to marketing. With over 2,000 diverse items for industrial ingredient and food service sectors, Lyons caters to leading restaurant chains nationally and internationally.

At Lyons, our diverse and talented staff is the heart of our organization. We foster a thriving work environment where employees are engaged in shaping both the company's and their own future.

As a key member of the Quality team, the Supplier Quality Manager will report to the Director of Co-Manufacturing and Supplier Quality. This role is primarily responsible for conducting onsite supplier audits, building strategic supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with Lyons Magnus' food safety, quality, and regulatory standards. The Supplier Quality Manager serves as the primary external-facing quality representative, focusing on audits, performance monitoring, and driving supplier continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will bring a strategic mindset and is a proactive quality professional who combines auditing expertise with strong relationship-building skills to support a high-performing, reliable supplier network.

Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Schedule: Monday - Friday

Location: Walton, KY.

Travel Requirements: 30-50% - Regular travel to supplier sites as needed

Work Environment: In Office

Core Responsibilities:

• Actively supports the mission, values, and vision of Lyons Magnus.
• Always acts in the best interest of Lyons Magnus in all professional interactions.
• Plans, conducts, and documents supplier audits to evaluate food safety systems and alignment with Lyons Magnus standards, GFSI certifications, and regulatory requirements (e.g., FSMA, FDA, USDA).
• Serves as the primary liaison with suppliers, building collaborative, long-term relationships that support open communication and continuous improvement.
• Provides follow-up on audit findings and works closely with suppliers to drive corrective actions and track completion.
• Proactively engages with suppliers through regular check-ins, visits, and performance reviews to support alignment and shared goals.
• Contributes to supplier qualification and onboarding by conducting audits and capability assessments.
• Collaborate with the Supply Chain Quality Manager, who oversees documentation and system setup within TraceGains.
• Identifies trends, risks, and improvement opportunities across the supplier network to support a robust, risk-based quality strategy.
• Leads risk-based assessments of suppliers and ingredients using audit results, material type, and performance history.
• Develops, updates, and enforces SOPs related to auditing, qualification, corrective actions, and compliance.
• Engages directly with suppliers to investigate complaints and perform root cause analysis.
• Leads the supplier-side problem-solving process and drives corrective actions with suppliers.
• Conducts supplier audits or re-audits triggered by complaint issues or trends.
• Uses complaint data to inform risk-based supplier management and continuous improvement efforts.
• Acts as the external quality liaison to ensure supplier accountability and improvement.
• Utilizes internal programs (e.g., DAX, TraceGains) to manage supplier audits, performance, and compliance documentation.
• Works closely with the Supply Chain Quality Manager on supplier onboarding and documentation workflows.
• Leads or supports cross-functional teams and oversees work as needed.
• Perform tasks as assigned by the Director, Co-man and Supplier Quality.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to think beyond daily tasks, anticipate risks, and drive sustainable, long-term improvements in supplier quality.
• Proven experience managing raw material and ingredient suppliers, with a focus on quality, safety, and compliance oversight.
• Ability to lead and conduct supplier audits and inspections; certified auditor status preferred (e.g., PCQI, FSVP).
• Strong interpersonal skills in relationship building with suppliers and influencing stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• Resolution of supplier disputes and corrective actions.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or a related technical field
• 8+ years of experience in food quality assurance or food/beverage manufacturing
• Proven experience in supplier quality management, auditing, and ingredient oversight
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations (FDA, FSMA, USDA) and industry standards (GMP, HACCP, GFSI)
• Demonstrated experience with audit execution, CAPA management, and supplier risk assessments
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects and manage supplier quality initiatives
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and build strong supplier relationships
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 50%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (e.g., M.S. in Food Science or MBA).
• Certified auditor credentials (e.g., PCQI, FSVP, HACCP).
• Strategic mindset with a track record of improving long-term supplier performance
• Experience in conflict resolution and supplier negotiation.