AAK is the world's leading specialist producer of plant-based oils, co-developing value-adding ingredient solutions with customers across chocolate & confectionery, bakery, dairy, plant-based foods, special nutrition, foodservice, and personal care.
The Supplier Compliance Specialist is responsible for leading and supporting various aspects of supplier compliance, adherence to AAK's internal standards, and external regulatory requirements. This role serves as a key control point for supplier data integrity, compliance oversight, and risk mitigation within AAK's supplier & product portals. Partnering with suppliers and various functions across the organization, the Compliance Specialist drives consistent adherence to food safety, regulatory, and sustainability standards, ensures suppliers are guided through a transparent onboarding process, and that products supplied to AAK are routed through the appropriate channels for qualification.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as a primary steward of supplier compliance within the AAK Supplier & Product portal, ensuring all supplier records, documentation, and certifications are accurate, complete, and aligned with internal policies and external regulatory requirements
- - Lead supplier onboarding and compliance engagement by communicating AAK's requirements, standards, and expectations; provide training and guidance to suppliers
- - Conduct detailed reviews and risk-based validation of supplier information, documentation, and certifications
- - Own the approval workflow for supplier facilities and raw materials by coordinating compliance verification across internal stakeholders
- - Enforce supplier responsibility for maintaining up-to-date and accurate documentation within required systems
- - Partner with procurement, QA, and Customer Innovation & Quality functions to ensure supplier and product compliance alignment, support audits, and corrective actions
- - Act as the U.S. compliance representative for the global supplier & product portal, supporting cross-regional compliance initiatives
- - Maintain up-to-date knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements (food safety, import/export, sustainability, and security programs such as CTPAT)
- - Develop, maintain, and report on KPIs related to supplier compliance, data integrity, and program effectiveness
- - Support audit preparation and documentation efforts
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Administration, Food Science, Chemistry, or Nutrition
- - Working knowledge of food safety and HACCP
- - Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) preferred
- - Proficient in Microsoft Office and experienced with computer software databases
- - Strong verbal and written communication, organizational, and time management skills
- - Ability to learn a new supplier & product platform (SIM/PIM)
- - Self-motivated with the ability to work independently
- - Two or more years of relevant work experience, preferably in food and beverage or another FDA-regulated industry
Benefits:
AAK offers comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance starting on date of hire, a Health Savings Account with AAK annual contribution of $1,000-$1,500, 401(k) match, free life and disability insurance, an Employee Assistance Program, tuition reimbursement, and more. This role includes a target annual bonus of 7.5%.
For more information or to apply, visit the AAK careers site. Location: Edison, NJ. AAK is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
