Functions as a Global Quality and Food Safety liaison between the global quality assurance and the company’s diverse meat vendor base. Visits supplier sites and reports on findings to confirm compliance to WFM standards. Provides technical training and advice regarding Food Safety, quality systems (such as HACCP and FSMA), operational methods, personnel practices, and maintenance for Food Safety, Environmental Monitoring, Allergen Controls, Social Accountability, Labeling Control, and Food Defense Programs. Works independently with a minimum of supervisory guidance.
*This role can be fully remote. Must live within 1 hour of an international airport

Responsibilities:

• Team member shall exhibit deep knowledge and advanced experience with the meat and poultry industries.
• Provides Supplier QA support globally and/or on projects with impact across the company.
• Advises leadership on the outcomes of facility site visits, first production, incident management, reporting and corrective action definition and follow-up.
• Monitors the facility / production / compliance data across the company to identify systemic issues, patterns, and trends.
• Responds to technically complex issues raised by fellow Team Members, vendors, or other stakeholders.
• Collaborates with Procurement, vendors, and other key stakeholders to evaluate and resolve complex, recurring, and business-critical issues and concerns.
• Remains current with the meat industry, processing, meat science and technology.
• Leads continuous process improvement by recommending enhancements and identifying new tools and technologies.

Professional Knowledge

• Deep understanding of the food-related QA theory, principles, practices, and techniques of the meat and poultry industries.
• Ability to interpret contract requirements, plans, and technical specifications, industry codes, and standards of practice.
• Advanced knowledge of HACCP, Seafood and Juice HACCP, FSMA, ISO, Quality Systems, Low Acid canning, Federal / State/Local and International food safety legislation.
• Progressive knowledge of GFSI audits, Animal Welfare audits, and the review process of such audits, to maintain and improve the Food Safety and Quality functions of WFM suppliers.
• Knowledgeable in USDA regulatory matters, such as labeling, processing animal welfare, USDA facility pre-requisite programs, etc.

Qualifications/Skills

• Conveys and/or consults on Meat and Meat industry related issues of moderate to significant complexity.
• Regularly interacts with colleagues or customers up to the executive management level.
• Provides the process and policy advice to the Team Members, Global/regional / local leaders, and third-party vendors.
• Provides process advice and insight to applicable WFM Team Members and suppliers.
• Provides guidance to the less experienced Team Members.
• Consults with and advises the senior-level stakeholders and leaders.
• Deep understanding of the standard project management methodologies and requirements.
• Advanced ability to plan, estimate, organize, and monitor projects.
• Advanced ability to oversee and advise on the project management issues and assist with overcoming potential or real barriers.
• Expert ability to keep multiple projects on track financially, creatively, and in accordance with stakeholder’s deadlines.
• Leverages an understanding of the customer, market, and industry to drive project-related decisions and recommendations.
• Demonstrates exceptional knowledge of the WFM product mix, supply base, and retail operations.

Education and Experience

BS degree in Food Science/Agriculture/Manufacturing related discipline and 10-15 years’ relevant industry experience with emphasis on meat categories (beef and poultry).

• Ability to physically perform general office requirements.
• Tasks in operating manufacturing facilities, and product inspection in warehouse operations, all under adverse conditions (hot, cold, wet, elevated situations, etc.).
• Must be able to perform essential responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations. (Climbing, Lifting, Traveling).
• Travel expectation 50%+ annually:
  • Candidate must be able to travel multi-day and overnight trips, domestic and international.
  • Ideally candidate should live 1 hour away from an airport.
  • Candidate must have valid passport.
  • Candidate must not any travel restrictions domestically or internationally.

At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.