Quality & Food Safety Auditor

Company Description

Simple Mills is on a mission to transform the way food is made—creating nourishing products with astounding ingredients and amazing taste. Founded in 2012 by Katlin Smith, our brand has redefined center-aisle grocery by delivering better-for-you products made with unique, nutrient-dense ingredients. Today, we’re a category leader and the #1 natural brand in multiple segments, with distribution in over 30,000 stores nationwide.

Now, as part of Flowers Foods, we’re entering an exciting new phase of growth—expanding our reach, accelerating innovation, and amplifying brand awareness, all while preserving the integrity of what makes Simple Mills special. Our commitment to using simple, high-quality ingredients ensures that every bite is both delicious and nutritious.

Learn more at www.simplemills.com.

Role Description

The Quality & Food Safety Auditor will be a critical role on the Supplier Quality team responsible for supporting the Simple Mills Quality & Food Safety risk mitigation strategy by leading and executing audits at Simple Mills partners (Raw Material Suppliers, Contract Manufacturers, Warehouses, etc.) and supporting the Quality department with the day-to-day requirements. The position will report to the Director, Supplier Quality and responsibilities will include:

Develop and execute a risk-based supplier and external-partner audit program covering current and prospective ingredient suppliers, packaging suppliers, contract manufacturers, co-packers, warehouses, and other designated service providers.

Travel to Simple Mills partners and prospective partners to conduct on-site food safety and quality audits, targeted risk assessments, CAPA verification visits, incident investigations, supplier-development activities, and other special projects.

Plan, lead, and document announced and unannounced audits against Simple Mills requirements, applicable regulatory requirements, customer requirements, and relevant food safety and quality standards.

Perform audit preparation and due diligence, including review of previous audit results, GFSI certification and reports, regulatory history, food safety plans, specifications, testing programs, supplier performance, complaints, nonconformances, and open corrective actions.

Collect and evaluate objective evidence through facility observation, employee interviews, document and record review, traceability exercises, and evaluation of the effective implementation of food safety and quality programs.

Prepare timely, accurate, and fact-based audit reports that clearly describe findings, objective evidence, risk, required corrective actions, accountable owners, and agreed completion dates.

Lead audit opening and closing meetings, clearly communicating audit scope, findings, risk level, expectations, and required next steps to partner management and Simple Mills stakeholders..

Evaluate corrective and preventive action responses, including root-cause analysis, containment, corrective action, preventive action, and supporting evidence; verify implementation and effectiveness before closure.

Develop and maintain the annual audit schedule using ingredient risk, intended use, supplier performance, regulatory or certification history, audit findings, complaint trends, change activity, and other risk factors; monitor completion against the approved schedule.

Assess the design and effective implementation of Quality programs, including food safety plans, preventive controls/HACCP, allergen management, sanitation, environmental monitoring, foreign material control, food defense, food fraud, traceability and recall, laboratory controls, incoming-material verification, specifications, change control, hold and release, and regulatory notification.

Establish constructive, professional relationships with external teams and use audit findings, performance data, technical guidance, and follow-up activities to drive sustainable continuous improvement.

Performs other projects as assigned

Position Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant food-industry experience.

4+ years of comprehensive food safety and quality related experience

The position requires on average 75% travel, with the potential to travel up to 90% for critical business needs

Valid driver's license required.

Ability to walk manufacturing facilities for extended periods of time.

Ability to climb stairs, access elevated platforms, and navigate production and warehouse environments safely.

Ability to regularly lift and move materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and comply with all facility safety requirements.

Ability to travel frequently by air and automobile.

Valid passport required, or the ability to obtain one.

Experience conducting food safety, quality, supplier, GMP, or manufacturing-facility audits, including audit planning, objective-evidence collection, interviewing, report writing, classification of findings, and corrective-action verification.

Experience with at least one GFSI-recognized food safety certification program

Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and must also effectively manage and execute changes

Position requires ability to act as a member of a highly functioning team

Excellent communication, writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills

Strong organizational skills

Certified Quality Auditor (ASQ) is a plus

Intermediate PowerPoint, and strong Excel skills (ability to structure and analyze data, manipulate pivot tables, create trackers, and utilize basic functions)

Ability to complete other projects as assigned and needed

Proficiency in TraceGains is preferred but not required

A personal connection to the Simple Mills mission and a fervent desire to improve the food system to help people and the planet thrive.

Nice-to-Have Requirements

PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification.

HACCP certification.

Experience auditing ingredient suppliers and co-manufacturers.

Experience in bakery, snack, grain-based, or shelf-stable food manufacturing.

Experience with FDA regulations and FSMA requirements.

Why Join Us?

Be a Change-Maker

Play a key role in redefining the food industry, crafting products that nourish people and contribute to a healthier planet.

A Workplace Where You Belong

We foster an environment where every voice is heard, valued, and empowered. Inclusion and belonging are at the heart of our culture, ensuring that everyone can thrive.

Benefits

Competitive Compensation: This role offers a salary range of $115,000 to $135,000

Annual Bonus Opportunity: Eligible for an annual bonus as part of our commitment to recognizing team contributions and company success.

Holistic Benefits: A variety of health, financial, and wellness programs to help you feel your best and plan for the future.

Time to Recharge: We believe your best work comes when you have space to rest, refocus, and show up fully—our time off approach is built with that in mind.

Everyday Well-Being: From lifestyle perks to innovation shipments, we find meaningful ways to support you in living simply and feeling well.

Work Model at Simple Mills

Our work model is role-dependent and team focused. With remote, hybrid, or in-office positions, each role is classified by what best supports the needs of the team.

Remote working may be considered for qualified candidates from a designated location in the United States (the new hire’s permanent residence, as documented in our HR System, Rippling) if willing and able to travel regularly to the Chicago office. Sufficient internet access to support video conferencing required.

At Simple Mills, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and inclusion. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, past or present military service, physical or mental disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of business need, job requirements, and individual qualifications. #LI-DNI

Simple Mills is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Simple Mills will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact careers@simplemills.com.

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Quality & Food Safety Auditor