Key Responsibilities:
Lead with Purpose: Guide the FSQA-Supplier team to success, aligning suppliers with Whole Foods Market’s standards and regulatory requirements.
Shape Quality Standards: Ensure food safety and product quality during supplier onboarding and at all points during the supplier relationship including dealing with adverse events in supply chains.
Foster Communication: Clearly articulate quality expectations and key trends to both internal stakeholders and suppliers.
Stay Ahead of the Curve: Monitor industry developments and proactively identify opportunities for innovation and risk mitigation.
Embrace Technology: Investigate and implement innovative technologies to enhance FSQA programs.
Utilize Data: Capture performance data and use that to drive continuous improvements in supply chains and internal programs.
Build a Food Safety and Quality Culture: Continue to nurture and evolve a robust food safety and quality culture across our supply chain and within our company.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
10+ years of senior leadership experience in food retail, food service, or complex food production supply chains
BS degree with 15-20 years of relevant experience (graduate degree preferred)
Technical proficiency in MS Office, Product Lifecycle Management systems such as Oracle Agile PLM, CMX1, FoodLogiQ
Superior communication skills, both written and verbal
Strategic thinking with ability to execute tactically
Experience in process improvement, change management, and cost optimization
Strong relationship-building skills with executives and stakeholders
Able to comprehend and assess food safety risks and deploy effective risk mitigation strategies in supply chains
Project management and risk assessment expertise
Understanding of WFM business, retail food industry, and key supplier partners
This position requires domestic and international travel (up to 30%)
Preferred Qualifications:
International experience, particularly in the EU
High technical competency in category-specific knowledge and specifically high risk food production
Experience with system deployment (e.g., CMX1) and managing technology
Remote team management experience
Consulting group and second/third party resource management expertise
Field program leadership and staff scheduling experience
Strong team development and succession planning track record
Key Competencies:
Ability to design and champion organizational mission, vision, and strategy
Experienced in team change management
Skill in identifying strategic gaps and formulating solutions
Proficiency in conducting reviews with team members, stakeholders, and partners
Capability to assess and optimize business functions and processes
Talent for identifying business partner interdependencies and long-term relationship development
At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.Whole Foods Market works with job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter to promote opportunities at our company. Please be aware that other career sites may not be accurate or up to date and may even be fraudulent. We encourage and recommend all candidates to apply via our site.