Supplier Quality Engineer

ABOUT THE GROUP

From a small store in Turin to a large, internationally recognized group: we are present in 90 countries around the world, with over 4,000 employees and 30 companies, managed directly and indirectly by the Luigi Lavazza Spa parent company, which distribute and market our products and coffee machines. In addition to Lavazza, the following brands are also part of our Group: Carte Noire, Merrild, Kicking Horse, Eraclea and Whittington tea.

Joining Lavazza means doing business with passion, knowing that the impact of our work goes beyond the quality of the production chain. We are a big family and we are constantly looking for new talents who share our values and can enrich our team. We combine competitiveness with social and environmental responsibility as we create superior quality products available for consumption both at home and out of home, and distributed through all channels: Retail, Foodservice, Office Coffee Service (OCS), and Vending. Our strong, diversified presence enables us to offer consumers and clients perfectly suited solutions, for any occasion and time of day.

#LI-JB1

OVERVIEW

At Lavazza North America, the Supplier Quality Engineer is a manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics specialist who plays a central role in assessing supplier quality and ensuring that all products are free of defects. This role works both internally across functions and externally with assigned, or potential, suppliers and materials to measure, assure, improve, and sustain expected and appropriate levels of food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and functionality.  The supplier relationships related to North America Lavazza products, manufacturing sites and customer markets include the following: raw ingredients, primary and secondary packaging, promotional items, and warehousing services.  

The Supplier Quality Engineer will work with internal stakeholders to grasp the business needs and the technical requirements for the supplier-sourced items and acts as the technical link between Lavazza and all external suppliers. In this role, the individual will be responsible for auditing, verifying, and reporting of supplier adherence to established Lavazza specifications and requirements. The Supplier Quality Engineer will communicate between senior management and suppliers to address and resolve any identified quality issues, providing technical input and guidance on process enhancements and improvements.

In many cases, the Supplier Quality Engineer will spend a significant amount of time visiting supplier facilities to assess their practices and procedures and identify areas for improvement. In addition, they review, and initiate, as required, assessments of received supplies to identify potential areas of failure or recurring manufacturing defects.
 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implementing, sustaining, and improving the Supplier Quality Assurance Program for raw ingredient,  primary and secondary packaging, and promotional items of external manufacturers
• Verify that all components and warehousing services are in line with the relevant APQP framework and  principles conveyed within the Lavazza Sourcing Quality Procedure and industry standards that can appropriately apply.
• Proactively identifying and anticipate food safety and quality risks or flaws in the supply chain and working with suppliers for implementation of robust controls to eliminate or reduce these risks to an acceptable level.
• Ensure proper assessment and documentation of any supplier-related controls and/or hazards within the material risk assessment.  
• Assess effectiveness of supplier’s product quality control plan ensuring control of relevant hazards and compliance to component specifications.
• Performing supplier site audits/risk assessments and special focus visits and ensure completion of identified corrective actions in a timely manner. 
• Assess and report on all potential suppliers for new product development and inform decision makers on all vendor quality and supply chain factors.
• Champion and continuously improve supplier-related non-conformance management process, with emphasis on utilizing root cause methodology in a timely agreed framework.  
• Serve as liaison between senior management and all vendors; meet with both parties to identify issues and drive optimal solutions. Act at information conduit between all parties. 
• Provide technical guidance and advice to suppliers regarding process, manufacturing, and production to reduce or eliminate defects. Work closely with the vendor to incorporate these recommendations. Ensure that the supplier understands and will meet the Lavazza technical requirements.  Report and document any supplier concerns or reported limitation to internal stakeholders. 
• Assess and develop supplier technical and operational capabilities through active supplier performance management to support compliance in achieving agreed specification and to meet the future requirements of the sourcing strategy. 
• Actively feeding into the sourcing function's continuous supplier performance program via participation in Quality Business Reviews and leading the Quality review section.
• Maintain internal databases with the supplier audits reports, control plans and associated documentation to keep the database updated and visible for SQA team and internal stakeholders.  
• Work closely and collaboratively on the day-to-day issue management with the Supply and Q&FS teams to ensure supply chain continuity.
• Participate in project teams, support and influence a quality mindset on business initiatives associated with innovation/new product development, current products, and value generation activities relevant to the ingredients and packaging supply chain.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Material Science, Chemistry, Engineering or related technical field, or equivalent.
• 2+ years experience in a technical area within the food/pharma/Automotive industry such as product development, quality assurance, laboratory management, manufacturing, or engineering.
• Solid verbal and written communication skills
• Lead Auditor certification/willingness to obtain Lead auditor certification : FSSC22000 / BRCS for Food Safety / ISO9001
• Working knowledge of relevant GFSI standards (i.e. FSSC22000, BRC, IFS, SQF)
• Working knowledge of Quality Management processes, including: 
  • Auditing / Lead Auditing
  • Validation / Verification
  • Statistical Process Control
  • Root cause analysis, Failure Modes Effects Analysis
  • Corrective and preventive action
• Working knowledge of food safety / food processing
• Process Improvement methodologies (Six-Sigma, Lean Principles, etc.)
• Green or Black belt Six-Sigma certification is preferred
• Maintains proficiency with necessary software systems (i.e. APQP Portal, Sharepoint etc.)

PHYSICAL/TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Travel frequency up to 30% depending upon business need.

BENEFITES/PERKS

• Competitive Medical, Vision, Dental Benefits 
• 401K Package 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Onsite Cafeteria and Gym (West Chester location)
• Hybrid Work Schedule 
• Ability to be barista certified
• Monthly Lunches provided by Lavazza
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Performance Development Plans 
• Employee Discounts 
• Flexible business casual dress code - jean friendly! 
• Free coffee, anytime!

 
Lavazza is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Lavazza prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.