SQA Lead - Essentials

About the role

As a Supplier Quality Assurance Lead at Mars, you will assure “fit for purpose” raw materials that meet or exceed the needs of the regional manufacturing sites and end-users. The role focuses on continuous supplier process improvement, cost improvement initiatives, food/pet/product safety, quality improvement, and supplier site visits and audits. You will interact extensively with Commercial buying and sourcing teams, manufacturing, product, packaging, and commodity development functions, with an emphasis on select commodity categories ranging from high to low risk.

Requirements

• 2 or more years of experience in food manufacturing quality, with a sound understanding of food safety, HACCP, and auditing.
• Training and experience in continuous improvement and problem-solving.
• Competencies in planning/project management, managing and measuring work, and managing data through internal systems.
• Ability to travel a minimum of 50% of the time.
• Strong understanding of supply chain with the physical capability to work in a manufacturing environment when necessary.
• Minimum of a BS degree (preferably in Chemistry, Food Science, Engineering, or a related field).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Assures quality and consistency of raw materials, primarily within the Palatant and Essentials category.
• Provides inputs to material risk assessments and creates/drives supplier improvement plans.
• Works in partnership with Commercial Buying/Operations Teams and Site-based Quality Services to support supplier non-conformance investigations.
• Manages all inbound supply risks including material security, quality, food/product safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Performs supplier site audits and ensures completion of identified corrective actions.
• Communicates effectively with multiple internal stakeholders in Commercial, R&D, and Supply.
• Performs supplier performance reviews and manages supplier performance metrics.
• Drives a culture rooted in continuous improvement principles and applies problem-solving methodology across the manufacturing network.
• Ensures product conformance to specifications and requirements.

Skills

• Compliance Management
• Creative Problem Solving
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Data Control
• Planning and Organizing
• Policy and Procedures
• Policy and Regulation
• Review and Reporting
• Supplier Management
• Verbal Communication

Competencies

• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively
• Financial Acumen
• Instills Trust
• Manages Complexity
• Optimizes Work Processes
• Plans and Aligns

Benefits

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose-driven company striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to Mars University.
• An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.