Global Head of Supplier Qualification & SME

About the role:

The Global Head of Supplier Qualification & SME will provide technical leadership to manage risk during product design, material & process risk for all ingredient & packaging categories and maintaining material standards to ensure supplier quality excellence across the Barry Callebaut Global supply chain. 
The role is responsible for inspiring, leading, and supporting the growth and development of the suppliers and providing technical solution and risk management guidance in critical situations.
This role ensures risks are identified in the industry by horizon scanning and potential food frauds to real time update of BC material risk assessment and specifications. 
This role involves working closely with suppliers, internal teams, and stakeholders (Global Food Safety, Regulatory and CI&TS teams) to drive continuous improvement and risk mitigation in the supply chain.
Lead a global team of SMEs, providing coaching and strategic direction. The role will lead 5 Category SME supporting globally.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and implement Global Material quality, technology & controls expectations, procedures, and standards to ensure compliance with industry regulations, customer expectations, and BC FSQR requirements.
• Assess and qualify new suppliers based on BC Quality & Customer expectations, compliance, and risk management criteria.
• Lead supplier onboarding and risk assessment processes in line with SLM (Supplier Lifecycle Management) and PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) process
• Lead investigations into supplier-related quality issues, including root cause analysis (RCA) and risk management program.
• Develop and deploy Supplier development roadmap for driving continuous improvement initiatives, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance supplier performance —including Procurement, Operations, Customer Innovation & Technical Services, and FSQR teams to ensure suppliers meet quality, cost, and delivery expectations.
• Continuously monitor global trends and emerging threats related to food safety, food fraud / vulnerability in real time, analyzing potential risks.
• Regularly update MRA (Material risk assessment), Specifications and internal documents, policies, and risk management frameworks to ensure proactive mitigation and compliance with evolving regulations and industry best practices.
• Provide expert support in interpreting and implementing material risk assessment during product development, site HACCP plans and scale up processes, ensuring consistent application and understanding across the organization
• Technical Support & Problem Solving
  o    Act as the primary technical resource for supplier-related quality issues.
  o    Evaluate and approve supplier process changes, deviations, and corrective actions.
• Documentation & Reporting
  o    Maintain supplier quality records, audit reports, and compliance documentation.
  o    Provide input on supplier selection and strategic sourcing decisions.
• Drive Quality in Design during product formulation and scale up in line with PLM (Product lifecycle Management) process.
• Foster collaboration across regional teams to integrate local priorities into MRA and material specification, ensuring consistency and efficiency.
• Manage material risks proactively and find solutions for continuity of business without compromising the product quality and customer expectations.
• Manage derogations with clear root cause and closures on time, otherwise escalation.
• Coordinate with the Food Safety Team for supplier lab performance and Lab audit protocols during after qualification process.
• Cultivate a culture of engagement, empowerment, and accountability to build high performing teams and equipping teams with the necessary skills and resources to achieve excellence.
• Design, develop and deploy digital solution for the Supplier processes and maintain to deliver high data quality.
• Develop comprehensive reporting mechanisms to enhance visibility into supplier performance metrics.
• tay updated on emerging food safety trends, regulations, and technologies, providing strategic guidance on their implications.
• Build and maintain relationships with regulatory agencies, industry associations, and external stakeholders to advocate for food safety initiatives and represent BC interests.

Scope: 

• Global BC business for direct material- Cocoa, chocolate, specialties, decorations, beverages and packaging
• BC Ingredients and packaging suppliers globally- North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Africa
• Stakeholders - Global Quality Assurance functions, Operations Innovation & Strategy, Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain, Safety, Health & Environment, and Customer Innovation & Technical Services
• Regulatory agencies, authorities, industry associations, and external stakeholders

About you:

• Food Science / Food technologist / Food Engineering / Microbiology Major or related field education
• Global / Regional experience in Food Safety and Quality within the food industry
• Minimum 15 years of professional experience
• Excellent leadership, innovative mindset, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to drive results, prioritize initiatives, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Fluent in English and well versed with IT operating systems
• Drive supplier continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and other quality methodologies
• Flexible to travel