Raw Materials Specialist

About the Role

The Raw Materials Specialist is responsible for managing the receipt, inspection, sampling, release, and documentation of incoming raw materials used in manufacturing operations. This position plays a critical role in ensuring all ingredients, packaging components, and materials meet established quality, safety, and regulatory requirements before entering production. The ideal candidate possesses strong attention to detail, quality focused decision making, and experience working within manufacturing or quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform incoming inspections of raw materials, ingredients, packaging components, and production supplies
• Collect, label, and process samples for testing and evaluation according to approved procedures
• Review Certificates of Analysis (COAs), supplier documentation, and material specifications
• Verify material compliance against established quality standards and customer requirements
• Coordinate material disposition, release, quarantine, or rejection activities as necessary
• Maintain accurate receiving, inspection, sampling, and inventory records
• Support supplier quality initiatives and communicate quality concerns to vendors and internal stakeholders
• Utilize ERP and inventory management systems to track material status and traceability
• Investigate material discrepancies and support root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Ensure proper storage, handling, and inventory rotation practices are followed
• Participate in audits, continuous improvement initiatives, and quality system activities
• Maintain compliance with GMP, food safety, and regulatory requirements

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, Quality, Supply Chain, or related field
• Experience in raw material inspection, quality control, inventory management, receiving, or manufacturing operations
• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, SQF, NSF, UL, BRCGS, ISO, or similar quality systems
• Experience reviewing Certificates of Analysis and material specifications
• Familiarity with ERP, inventory, and quality management systems
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to identify nonconforming materials and escalate quality concerns appropriately
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and standard business software

Desired Qualifications

• Experience within nutraceutical, dietary supplement, food manufacturing, pharmaceutical, or ingredient manufacturing environments
• Knowledge of supplier qualification and supplier quality programs
• Experience with material traceability, lot control, and inventory management
• Understanding of laboratory testing, sampling plans, and quality release processes
• HACCP, PCQI, Six Sigma, CQI, or related certifications
• Experience participating in audits and corrective action programs