Asst. Supplier Assurance Manager (Ingredients, Commodities & Packaging) in Woking

Overview

PURPOSE & IMPACT: The role enables Supplier Assurance Managers to operate effectively and make informed, risk-based decisions by acting as a key coordination bridge between Suppliers, Procurement, Manufacturing Quality, R&D, and other supplier assurance stakeholders. Focused on a specific buying segment, the role supports the end-to-end delivery of supplier assurance activities for that segment, ensuring food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and data integrity. The role drives timely issue resolution, maintains high-quality and up-to-date documentation, and facilitates cross-functional collaboration to support robust supplier risk management and informed business decisions.

Responsibilities

• First Line Supplier & Stakeholder Support: Act as the first point of contact for supplier assurance queries, issues, and information requests, both internally and externally. Investigate and resolve routine matters independently, escalating complex or high-risk issues appropriately. Maintain clear, consistent communication with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Supplier Assurance Process Support: Support execution of supplier assurance processes, including obtaining supplier documentation, alerts, certifications, and responses to questionnaires. Collate, analyse, and summarise supplier data to support risk assessments and business decision-making. Ensure supplier assurance systems are maintained with accurate and up-to-date information.
• Supplier Approval & Due Diligence: Complete administrative and coordination activities related to supplier approval and onboarding. Review supplier documentation for completeness and compliance against defined standards. Maintain accurate and current supplier due diligence files for the designated segment. Ensure ongoing updates of supplier assurance documentation, including risk assessments, self-assessment questionnaires, and certification status.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Supports sourcing process - analysing and summarising responses from suppliers to Alerts, RFIs etc. Support Supplier Performance Review Meetings and internal review forums by gathering and consolidating data from supplier assurance systems and cross-functional sources. Provide trend analysis and structured insights to inform discussions and actions. Prepare presentations, dashboards, and status reports for Supplier Assurance Managers and key stakeholders.
• Issue & Incident Support: Assist in the investigation of supplier-originating quality, food safety, and integrity issues, ensuring timely tracking and resolution of corrective and preventive actions. Maintain up-to-date status tracking of supplier issues, audits, corrective action plans, and close-outs for the segment. Provide support in responding to supplier non-conformances, complaints, and incidents.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Maintain strong collaboration with Procurement, Manufacturing Quality, R&D, FSQR Data & Analytics teams, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth delivery of supplier assurance plans and processes.

Qualifications

• Food or Science degree or equivalent.
• HACCP/Food Safety Level 3.
• Experience of working in quality or food safety or technical roles in multi-national, commercial organisations of scale is essential. FMCG and Food Manufacturing sector experience preferred.
• Exposure to food safety, quality management systems, supplier approval, or regulatory compliance processes.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills with high attention to detail.
• Ability to analyse and interpret data, identify trends, and summarise insights clearly in order to support risk assessments or business decisions.
• Structured and disciplined approach to documentation and process compliance.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence to follow up, challenge constructively, and elevate where appropriate.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and maintain alignment.