Supplier Quality & Food Safety Auditor (or Senior-level)

Within our Global Quality team located in Denver - Leprino is seeking a Supplier Quality & Food Safety Auditor (or Senior-level dependent on the right candidate) to strengthen the safety, consistency, and reliability behind every ingredient and packaging material we use. This role sits at the center of supplier quality, partnering with Procurement, Operations, Product Development, and Global Quality to evaluate suppliers, manage risk, and ensure compliance with regulatory and Leprino standards. You will assess supplier performance, lead or support audits, and work directly with vendors to resolve issues and improve food safety and quality systems across our network.

At Leprino, starting compensation for an Auditor-level typically ranges between $80,000 and $94,000 with an annual target bonus of 5%. For a Senior Auditor, starting compensation typically ranges between $90,000 and $102,000 with an annual target bonus of 10%. Please note final level is determined by Leprino based on experience and fit.

What You'll Do:

• Lead or support the review and approval of supplier documentation, including third-party audits, allergen assessments, and technical data sheets, ensuring all ingredients and packaging meet regulatory and Leprino requirements
• Build and manage supplier relationships to resolve documentation gaps, specification differences, and non-conformances
• Conduct or lead supplier audits to assess compliance, identify risk, and drive continuous improvement in food safety and QA systems
• Partner with Production, Global Engineering, Procurement, Product Development, and Corporate Quality to evaluate and recommend suppliers for qualification and ongoing approval
• Support or lead resolution of ingredient and packaging exceptions, including root cause identification and corrective actions
• Maintain supplier approval records and ensure the Approved Supplier List remains accurate and audit-ready
• Communicate audit findings, supplier risk, and complaint trends to Purchasing, QE Regional Managers, and GBU teams to support decision-making
• Support or lead development and auditing of ingredient and packaging specifications to ensure alignment with regulatory and Leprino standards
• Contribute to projects that improve supplier performance, strengthen partnerships, and enhance quality systems across the network
• Travel up to 50% to conduct supplier audits, site visits, and support plant or supplier needs

You Have At Least (Required Qualifications):

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a closely related field - or equivalent practical experience
• 2 years (Auditor-level) to 5 years (Senior-level) of experience in food manufacturing quality, food safety, or supplier quality
• Demonstrated experience conducting supplier or third-party food safety audits and supporting corrective action development
• Working knowledge (Auditor-level) to strong working knowledge (Senior-level) of HACCP, GMP, and FSMA Preventive Controls requirements
• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months)
• Familiarity with USDA and FDA regulatory expectations related to ingredients and packaging
• Willingness to travel up to 50% for supplier audits, site visits, and collaboration opportunities

We Hope You Also Have (Preferred Qualifications):

• Master's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or Chemistry
• Experience leading complex supplier audits and driving corrective actions to closure
• Experience using SAP and supplier management platforms such as TraceGains
• Experience developing or managing ingredient and packaging specifications or supplier quality programs
• Experience working cross-functionally to influence supplier performance, vendor selection, or quality decisions

At Leprino, we believe in equal employment opportunity and make employment decisions based on each individual's unique talents, experience, skills, and knowledge; we do not discriminate on the basis of any personal characteristics. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture in which all employees can thrive.

Offering You In Return:

A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high-quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries and bonuses, life, medical/dental/vision coverage, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, tuition assistance, vacation, ten paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, annual merit increases, as well as the LFC Profit-Sharing & 401(k) plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another.

Our Story:

Leprino's history dates back to the 1950s, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We've grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino is the world's largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the "World's Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company." From a small corner grocery store we have grown to over 5,500 employees throughout the globe. Will you join us on our journey?