Supplier Packaging Quality Engineer

job purpose: The Supplier Packaging Quality Engineer will be a part of the quality team within fairlife, LLC, actively managing the packaging supplier quality program. This individual will provide comprehensive quality and food safety coordination between functional managers in R&D, packaging engineering, procurement, finance, receiving, warehousing, inventory management, quality assurance, and operations. Additionally, they will develop and implement programs to ensure fairlife complies with GFSI (FSSC 22000), regulatory, and NSF standards for supplier qualification and supplier food safety quality assurance.

responsibilities:

• Support establishment and own maintenance for packaging supplier specifications, ensuring all suppliers and materials are fully qualified and compliant with company and regulatory requirements.
• Lead qualification of new packaging suppliers, including site audits and capability assessments.
• Own supplier quality performance by leveraging plant and supplier data to identify trends, drive improvements, and reduce defects.
• Manage supplier documentation and compliance programs (e.g., GFSI, HACCP, FSMA, GMP, Food Defense, certifications) to ensure audit readiness.
• Investigate non-conforming materials, lead root cause analysis, and drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) through to verified effectiveness.
• Monitor supplier performance metrics and complaints, and lead cross-functional reviews to escalate risks and drive resolution.
• Support implementation of new packaging materials, ensuring validation against specifications and operational performance requirements.
• Conduct risk-based supplier audits and inspections, with a focus on high-risk materials and food safety vulnerabilities.
• Own packaging-related risk within the HACCP program, including ongoing monitoring of supplier food safety risks and emerging issues.
• Partner cross-functionally with Procurement and site Quality to align on supplier performance, material compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

skills/qualifications required:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Engineering, Packaging, Materials, or Supply Chain.
• 3+ years of experience in Packaging or Quality.
• Ability to understand packaging equipment/materials and ability to analyze machine efficiency and downtime.
• Demonstrated ability to drive supplier development and performance improvements.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and able to prioritize workload to meet commitments.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office with ability to work independently.
• Ability to handle ambiguity and work in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Proficiency in English: Comfortable with both written and verbal communication, including reading and writing.

working conditions and physical requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Reaching/bending as needed
• Exposure to hazards (machinery, confined spaces, etc.)

food safety requirements:

• Notify supervision of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety.
• Understand, observe, and comply with the handling and usage of the color-coded container policy while in the Production Areas.
• Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company.
• Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality sy