Quality Systems Specialist

Roquette is a family-owned global leader in plant-based ingredients and a leading provider of pharmaceutical excipients. Using plant-based resources, we collaborate with customers and partners to develop ingredients that better feed people and treat patients. Each of our ingredients responds to unique and essential needs, enabling healthier lifestyles.

About the role

The Quality Systems Specialist will serve as an influential leader and technical resource to drive quality improvement initiatives and enable safe, efficient production of high-quality products within our METHOCEL™ and ETHOCEL™ production facilities. This role develops quality management system (QMS) expertise and coaches, advises, and assists the operations team. The individual reports to the Quality Manager and is key in monitoring and improving quality control metrics, operating discipline, training, and work processes.

Influential leadership is required to champion adherence to food safety guidelines, a strong procedure-use culture, and time spent observing worker behavior. This role will lead root-cause investigations in response to unplanned events and, with cross-functional teams, propose and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. This position is located in Midland, MI.

Responsibilities

• Provide an effective interface between customers and the plant to ensure consistent high-quality service.
• Act as key plant interface to build or enhance relationships, services, and flow of information between the plant and customers, purchasing, supply chain, research, product stewardship, and commercial organizations related to product quality and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure product returns and non-conforming product are appropriately managed to prevent unintended use, including disposition.
• Monitor the effectiveness of the quality management system and communicate improvement opportunities to quality leadership (e.g., raw material quality, supplier assessments).
• Communicate plant Operating Discipline system improvement opportunities to the Quality Manager (e.g., cGMP, EXCiPACT, ISO 9001:2015, FSSC 22000).
• Provide consultation on applicable material handling guidelines and quality requirements for 3rd party service providers.
• Identify and lead improvement opportunities through data analysis, customer audits, improvement projects, and other quality-related programs.
• Conduct audits of plants, labs, terminals, warehouses, contract manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and customers to ensure customer needs are met.
• Lead product quality problem-solving efforts (e.g., Corrective Action Management Process, Root Cause Investigation Process, including customer feedback).
• Work with R&D and technical services to develop and qualify novel products in the production facility that create value-added differentiation in the marketplace.
• Partner with CSR, Account Representatives, and AD&I to understand and act on customer requirements.
• Participate on and lead teams in areas of accountability.
• Provide training as a process subject matter expert (SME) to technical staff and operations as needed.
• Serve as the technical subject matter expert for quality systems and compliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a Chemistry discipline (General Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry, etc.), Quality Assurance, Quality Management, or Quality Engineering.
• Minimum of 3 years of quality assurance experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

Skills

• Strong integrity in prioritizing safety, environment, and quality over production volume.
• Strong technical, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to influentially lead teams and individuals using performance-based leadership or similar behavioral-based science.
• Facilitative leadership and teamwork skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects/tasks simultaneously.
• Highly motivated, results-driven individual with strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interact with cross-functional teams, engineering groups, plant operations, research, commercial organizations, and management.
• Strong written and organizational skills.
• Root Cause Investigation (RCI) leadership skills.

Work Environment

• Approximately 95% of time spent in an office environment and 5% in the plant/lab environment.
• Physical demands include sitting, standing, and walking for extended periods; using hands and fingers for typing and operating office equipment; visual acuity for computer use and reading.
• Occasional lifting or carrying of objects, with movements such as reaching, stooping, or kneeling.

Schedule

This is a full-time position. Days and flexible hours of work are required to meet facility demands. Occasional travel may be expected (international and domestic).

Pay

The current salary range for this role is estimated to be $100,307–$150,460. This position may also be eligible for performance-based incentive compensation. The specific compensation offered will be influenced by factors including skills, qualifications, experience, and location.