Quality & Food Safety Lead - Spices Europe

Date: 9 Sept 2025

Country: Netherlands

Location:

Amsterdam, NL

Function: Operations

ofi is a global leader at the forefront of food & beverage consumer trends. Through its complementary portfolio of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices ofi delivers sustainable, natural, and plant-based ingredients & solutions to its global and diversified customer base. ofi has 20,000+ employees, is in 51 countries and supplies food and raw materials to over 8,000 customers.

One in five chocolate bars produced anywhere in the world use our cocoa beans and products. We supply enough coffee beans to brew over 90 billion cups of coffee and our nuts, spices and dairy products are used in millions of products around the world. But we don’t just source or grow the raw materials for these products: our team of chefs and food scientists are working closely with our customers, sharing our fresh ideas to inspire new concepts. Making it real at every step, from plant to palate.

We’re also driven by our Purpose – ‘Be the change for good food and a healthy future’. By working with ofi, you’ll be helping to create real impact on the ground. Sustainability is built into our business model - from our offices to our farming operations and supply chains, we’re acting across issues as diverse as farmer poverty, deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.

About the Role

Join a purpose-driven organization at the forefront of sustainable food systems. 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.

Applicants are requested to complete all required steps in the application process including providing a resume/CV in order to be considered for open roles