Area Quality & Food Safety Specialist

Job Description:

This position is the primary Quality and Food Safety (Q&FS) partner (‘the face of R&D’) for the Value Stream in providing technical leadership in the implementation and, continuous improvement of the Quality Management Process (QMP) to enable the reliable delivery of products that meet all external legislative requirements and all internal Quality & Food Safety global standards at the ELZ, Elizabethtown, PA snacking site.

This role is a member of the value stream team and of the site Q&FS team – the job holder partners with the value stream team and also holds them accountable on Q&FS matters, challenging the status quo to drive quality improvement. Their main interfaces outside Q&FS are with supply (operations, reliability, and engineering), PPI and packaging R&D. They collaborate with the operators in the value stream on root cause analysis and escalates to support departments or areas as required. Uses existing procedures to solve standard problems, analyzes information and standard practices to make judgements and recommendations.

This role will support a 24/7 cocoa roasting value stream and be on call by phone for off-hour escalations.

What are we looking for?

• BS degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering, Chemistry or related technical field and internship in quality and food safety in a manufacturing environment, and or combination of education and 5 years of demonstrated success in manufacturing/ quality experience.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities in leading/influencing others
• Food safety risk, identification and management, HACCP and prerequisite controls, GLP’s
• Knowledge of and experience with ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems
• Knowledge of GFSI Quality Systems such as SQF, BRC, FSSC22000 or ISO9000
• Knowledge of GMP, food allergens, pest control, sanitation, and food safety regulations
• Ability to work in fast paced team environment
• Ability to travel 10% of the time
  
  

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering, Chemistry or related technical field and
• 2-3 years of experience in different quality related areas such as raw materials, distribution, manufacturing or
• 2-3 years of experience in a manufacturing site managing quality and food safety management systems responsible position related to food safety or Quality and food safety management system
  
  

What will your key responsibilities be?

• Implement QMP related standards into the value stream and drive to full compliance.
• Manage the food safety program within the value stream including achieving compliance with any required external standards (e.g. FSC 22000, GFSI, FSMA)
• Responsible for the quality agenda in the value stream (Identify key priorities related to Q&FS KPI’s and align strategy and resource allocation within the Value Stream, monitor and report progress against agreed objectives).
• HACCP Lead for the value stream.
• Provide leadership in the implementation of the GMP/GHP and CCP/OPRP programs within the value stream to drive compliance.
• PCQI for the Value Stream.
• Coordinate QMP in the value stream (CAPAs, internal audits, continuous improvement, document creation & control)
• Key interface for Q&FS related activities within the value stream.
• Technical input to Value Stream related activities (new equipment installation, etc.).
• Partner with key stakeholder groups to manage line trial risk assessment and exception testing.
• Responsible for ensuring visual quality materials to perform quality inspections are current for the value stream.
• Conduct level 2 trouble-shooting related to Q&FS and escalate to Technical Services for level 3 troubleshooting.
• First line Q&FS incident management including handling coordination with outside stakeholders when needed – incident coordinator and RA1 and track & report on incident closure.
• Assist in the root cause analysis investigation of incidents
• Accountable for the verification of effective implementation of corrective /preventive action plans.
• Follow up consumer & customer complaints within value stream.
• Q&FS lead in value stream operational meetings and providing inputs required to drive the quality agenda forward.
• Communicate value stream initiatives within the R&D community.
• Support MSE program which may include being an active member in one of the pillars of the program.
• Support other Q&FS related programs as required, Internal/External audits, trials, food defense, Sensory program, and new associates onboarding, QCC training, etc.
• Development and roll out of food safety training programs as needed to build technical and functional capability in the supply team to implement and sustain compliance to Q&FS Standards.
  
  

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.