Quality Systems Sr. Specialist

Job Description:

This position is accountable for effectively applying technical and Q&FS knowledge of flavorings to ensure quality and food safety for flavor ingredients, WIPs and flavors at Mars Snacking. The Quality Systems Sr Specialist provides functional leadership to develop, implement, maintain and improve Quality and Food Safety Management programs for the site and across the network to ensure that end products are safe for human consumption and meet customer, consumer and regulatory requirements to achieve business objectives. The Quality Systems Sr Specialist provides leadership to improve Q&FS Management System for flavors across Mars Snacking.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as back up to the Quality and Food Safety Manager, provides leadership and technical expertise during incident investigation and risk analysis as well as provides recommendations for appropriate resolution
• Lead the implementation of Global Quality and Food Safety Standards to ensure compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory food safety requirements
• Lead the site quality and food safety management review process to identify improvement opportunities for quality and food safety management systems
• Lead Q&FS input for engineering related projects within the site and lead CVS, Handover process for Q&FS
• Lead Q&FS continuous improvement projects for flavors across Mars Snacking North America region to improve the brand experience
• Lead in combination with Q&FS Manager product related incident management process and provide recommendation on product disposition
• Use laboratory testing data to make usage decisions for global Mars Snacking flavors
• Lead Communities of practice to drive standardization, and creation of best practices
• Coach and develop associates in Q&FS team within the site or across the network

Context and Scope

• Lead gap assessment to the Mars Global standards and regulatory requirements, lead the Food Defense Plan and continuous improvement of quality systems and ensure compliance
• Partners with supply Make and Engineering, R&D and other key stakeholders to implement changes, new process or new products in a safe manner and implement product quality conformance system 
• Responsible for providing outlining Q&FS requirements on engineering projects, developing all the Q&FS documents, SOP’s, delivering training for associates as required for the start of new lines or processes at the site and creating QFS best practices
• Lead continuous improvement of QFS system and product quality and conformance to specification through analysis of data and evaluation of trends through use of statistical analysis
• Builds knowledge of the company, processes and customers. Understands key business drivers and uses this understanding to accomplish own work.
• Builds a network of cross functional partners to accomplish business objectives
• Provides guidance and direction to others

Education & Professional Qualifications

Minimum

• BS degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering or related technical field
• 3 years of food manufacturing experience in a responsible position related to food safety or Quality and food safety management system and or a combination of education and 5+ years demonstrated success in relevant field

Preferred

• Advanced degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering or related technical field
• 2 years of food plant experience in a responsible position related to food safety or Quality and food safety management system

Knowledge/Experience

• Demonstrated success with Q&FS risk, identification and management, HACCP and prerequisite controls
• Experience in Analytical/Sensory Laboratory environment with proven laboratory methodology capabilities including food/flavor sensory, Gas Chromatography and Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS)
• Proven application of quality tools, food science, and statistics
• Demonstrated capability to manage multiple priorities
• Proven leadership within a team and demonstrated ability to lead change
• Exhibited understanding of GMP, GLP, food allergens, pest control, sanitation, and food safety regulations
• Expert knowledge of Food Safety Standards, procedures and legislation
• Ability to work effectively in cross functional teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  

What can you expect from Mars? Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles. Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today. A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University. An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.