Supplier Assurance Manager - Veg, Fruit & Meat in Woking

Overview

PURPOSE & IMPACT: Accountable for ensuring the quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and integrity of raw materials, packaging, and co-manufactured products across a Sub Segment or number of Sub Segments. The role safeguards Nomad Foods' brand and consumers by implementing supplier assurance systems, processes, and ways of working defined by the Head of Supplier Assurance, whilst proactively managing supplier risk and driving continuous improvement across the assigned supplier base. An individual with good technical expertise, combined with commercial awareness, personal accountability, and strong influencing skills. Builds trust-based relationships through integrity, transparency, and collaboration, reinforcing a culture where quality, safety, and doing the right thing are non-negotiable.

Responsibilities

• SUPPLIER ASSURANCE & COMPLIANCE
  • Implement and operate the agreed supplier assurance frameworks, standards, and processes across the assigned supplier base.
  • Ensure all assigned suppliers are appropriately evaluated, approved, onboarded, and maintained in line with Nomad Foods requirements.
  • Maintain oversight of supplier compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
  • Ensure all assigned suppliers meet Nomad Foods quality, sustainability and CSR standards.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date supplier assurance documentation (risk assessments, self-assessment questionnaires, certification status etc).
• SUPPLIER RISK MANAGEMENT
  • Conduct and maintain supplier risk assessments relating to quality, food safety and integrity, ensuring controls are proportionate and risk-based, whilst demonstrating due diligence and protecting our brand.
  • Identify emerging risks and vulnerabilities within the assigned supplier base and elevate where appropriate.
  • Ensure mitigation plans are defined, implemented, and monitored for higher-risk, red rated or underperforming suppliers.
• QUALITY ASSURANCE & MONITORING
  • Deploy risk-based monitoring, sampling, and testing programmes in line with agreed policies and protocol.
  • Analyse supplier performance data, complaints, and trends to prevent recurrence and drive improvement.
  • Support consistent quality performance across existing products, changes, and NPD introductions.
• SUPPLIER AUDITS & PERFORMANCE
  • Manage supplier audit activity, including pre-approval feasibility audits and investigatory audits arising from incidents or complaints.
  • Liaise with third party audit providers to ensure audits are planned, delivered, and followed up effectively.
  • Own the development, delivery and closure of supplier quality improvement plans.
• INCIDENT & ISSUE MANAGEMENT
  • Lead investigation and resolution of supplier related quality, food safety, or contaminant issues within the sub segment or sub segments.
  • Ensure timely root cause analysis, corrective actions, and verification of effectiveness.
  • Support product incident management, working closely with Segment Supplier Assurance Manager and cross functional teams.
• CROSS FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION
  • Act as the Supplier Assurance SMEs for the assigned sub segment or sub segments, partnering closely with Procurement, RDQ, Manufacturing and other Supply Chain teams.
  • Partner with Procurement and RDQ teams to provide proactive Technical Support and risk management for seamless delivery of product launch plans.
  • Liaise with FSQR Regulatory Team to understand and assess emerging issues, legislative changes, and industry trends impacting the assigned buying segment; Proactively identify potential risks and opportunities and communicate implications to relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance and strategic alignment.
  • Provide risk based input to supplier selection, sourcing decisions, and NPD activity.
  • Support factories in maintaining GFSI compliance during audits, focusing on supplier assurance and food fraud/authenticity management.
  • Balance assurance rigour with commercial and operational realities to enable business performance.
• SME SUPPORT TO PROCUREMENT & R&D
  • Acts as a trusted Subject Matter Expert to Procurement and R&D teams, particularly in relation to suppliers supporting New Product Development (NPD) and other innovation initiatives.
  • Provides risk-based guidance on supplier evaluation & selection, ensuring FSQR requirements are embedded early in the product design and sourcing process.

Qualifications

• Degree In Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in food safety, quality assurance, and supplier assurance within FMCG or food manufacturing.
• Segment specific experience (e.g. dairy technology, meat technology etc).
• HACCP/ Food Safety Level 4.
• Understanding of food safety management systems (e.g. GFSI schemes), regulatory frameworks, and risk based assurance models.
• Strong audit, risk assessment, and incident management expertise.
• Ability to influence cross-functional senior stakeholders and external partners.
• Experience working with third party audit providers and global certification bodies.
• Exposure to NPD, innovation pipelines, and early stage supplier engagement.
• Continuous improvement mindset.