Quality & Food Safety Lead - Spices Europe

Overview

ofi Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

Join or sign in to find your next job. Join to apply for the Quality & Food Safety Lead - Spices Europe role at ofi .

Quality & Food Safety Lead - Spices Europe

ofi Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

Join to apply for the Quality & Food Safety Lead - Spices Europe role at ofi .

ofi is a global leader at the forefront of food & beverage consumer trends. We deliver sustainable, natural, and plant-based ingredients & solutions across cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices./ofi has 20,000+ employees, operates in 51 countries and serves over 8,000 customers. Our purpose is to Be the change for good food and a healthy future, with sustainability embedded across our business.

Role purpose

As a key member of our Spices EMEA team, you will bridge the gap between Sales, Quality, and Regulatory Compliance, ensuring our products meet the highest standards while supporting customer success across Europe. This role is ideal for a seasoned professional with deep expertise in food safety, regulatory affairs, and customer engagement within the spices industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Customer Engagement & Support
  • Act as the primary contact for customers regarding quality, regulatory, and technical inquiries.
  • Manage customer complaints end-to-end: intake, investigation coordination, communication, and CAPA implementation.
  • Support customer visits and provide expert advice on product quality and compliance.
  • Handle Technical Document Requests (TDRs) and assist with product improvement initiatives.
  • Collaborate with European sales and customer service teams to resolve issues and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Origin Collaboration
  • Partner with origin QFS teams (e.g., India, Vietnam, China, US) to ensure food safety and regulatory compliance.
  • Align with origins on parameters across the supply chain: raw materials, post-harvest treatments, manufacturing processes, additives, packaging, and transport.
  • Provide technical and commercial insights to PLM, QFS, and Operations teams.
  • Support evaluation and compliance of new products and blends for the European market.
• Business & Regulatory Strategy
  • Translate risk-related data into actionable insights for business decisions.
  • Support HACCP planning, specification reviews, and new project development.
  • Collaborate with Sales to identify and fulfill new product opportunities.
  • Monitor and interpret EU regulatory changes, advising Innovation & Quality teams proactively.
  • Represent the company in industry associations (e.g., KNSV, ESA) to anticipate and influence regulatory developments.
  • Maintain accurate, auditable records of complaints, regulatory updates, and compliance activities.
• Cross-functional Collaboration
  • Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, and origin teams.
  • Actively contribute to the Regulatory Compliance Centre of Expertise.
  • Drive continuous improvement in systems and processes across departments.
  • Maintain and expand a centralized database of quality documentation.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Quality & Compliance within the spices or food ingredients industry.
• MSc in Food Technology, Food Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• In-depth knowledge of European food legislation, especially concerning spices.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with global and regional customers.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; collaborative and open-minded.
• High integrity and respect for diverse stakeholders.
• Comfortable working in a matrix organization.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written).
• Willingness to travel up to 10% to customer and origin sites.

Why Join ofi?

Be part of a purpose-driven organization shaping the future of sustainable food systems. Work with global teams and partners on high-impact climate initiatives. Help deliver real change for farmers, landscapes, and the planet.

ofi is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, nationality, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job details

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Quality Assurance
• Industries: Food and Beverage Services