What are the responsibilities and job description for the Supplier Quality & Food Safety Auditor position at Leprino Foods?
Within our Global Quality team based in Denver - Leprino is seeking a Supplier Quality & Food Safety Auditor to help strengthen the safety, consistency, and trust behind every ingredient we make! We're proud of our bold vision to be the world's best dairy food and ingredient company - it's what drives us to build strong partnerships, uphold uncompromising standards, and keep improving every single day!
At Leprino, starting compensation for this role typically ranges between $80,000 and $94,000. This position has an annual target bonus of 5%.
What You'll Do:
- Review and approve supplier documentation, including third-party audits, allergen assessments, and technical data sheets, ensuring every ingredient and package meets both regulatory and Leprino requirements.
- Build strong relationships with suppliers while collaborating to resolve documentation gaps, specification differences, or non-conformances.
- Audit supplier facilities to confirm compliance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement in food safety and quality systems.
- Partner with our Production facilities, Global Engineering group, Procurement, Product Development, and our Corporate Quality functions (Customer QA, etc.) to recommend suppliers for qualification and ongoing approval.
- Support plants and suppliers in addressing ingredient or packaging exceptions - helping prevent recurrence through accurate root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Maintain supplier approval records and ensure the Approved Supplier List remains current, transparent, and traceable.
- Communicate audit findings and complaint data clearly to Purchasing, QE Regional Managers, and GBU teams to strengthen collaboration and decision-making.
- Assist in developing and auditing ingredient and packaging specifications to ensure alignment with both regulatory and Leprino standards.
- Join projects that refine supplier performance, strengthen partnerships, and make a real difference in how Leprino safeguards product quality!
- Travel up to 50% to visit supplier facilities - most trips are pre-scheduled and intentional, but flexibility is key when priorities shift.
You Have At Least (Required Qualifications):
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a closely related field - or equivalent practical experience.
- Two or more years in food manufacturing quality assurance or food technology, with a working understanding of food safety and quality systems (HACCP, GMP, FSMA).
- Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification.
- Familiarity with USDA and FDA regulatory expectations related to ingredients and packaging.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
- 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 conducting formal food supplier audits and writing audit reports.
- Knowledge of SAP and digital supplier management tools such as TraceGains.
- Strong grasp of specification systems and data-driven quality programs within a corporate or customer-facing QA function.
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?
Leprino Foods celebrates and supports diversity. We believe in equal opportunity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture that uses the unique talents, experiences, background, and perspectives of each individual employee.
Salary : $80,000 - $94,000