Job Description:

The Quality and Food Safety Manager is a critical role in the Leipsic, Ohio pet manufacturing site. This role will represent the “owners” of the Mars business at the site with respect to the quality and safety of products and the food processing environment. As the custodian of quality, the QM is responsible for the overarching programs related to product safe and quality ensuring compliance to Mars QMS and applicable Mars Quality and Food Safety Standards for the designated factory.

The manager is accountable for the on-going analysis, interpretation and reporting of Q&FS related KPI's trends which may trigger an investigation and related continuous improvement programs. As member of the site Leadership Team, the Quality Manager is a key contributor in the design and implementation of site leadership strategies. This is a people leader role who will foster an engaging and winning environment in the team leveraging on the inputs of the team via Mars Associate Survey (MAS).

This role will:

• Act as a staff member, participate in the development and implementation of site strategies, staffing requirements, and changes in alignment of resources.
• Working Methods and Ways of Working that supports the overall operation of the team.
• Technical training requirements for the team and their individual development plans.
• Management of internal audit, CAPA program (budgeting, resource allocation, etc.) and Quality Management Review.
• Product conformance to specifications and requirements.
• Approval of change management activities.
• Local quality systems projects for site improvement.
• Laboratory analytical support required to troubleshoot and resolve site issues.
• Local equipment purchases, including laboratory instrumentation.
• Management of site quality budget.
• Notification of product quality and safety issues; identifying business risks and expedient communication of issues.
• Recommend for food safety decisions that can have catastrophic impact to consumer protection and Brand image.
• Support field retrieval of product that could result in significant financial business impact.
• Recommend for line operation shut down due to product quality or safety issues in the process or site environment and manage product dispositions for held items.

What are we looking for?

• A BS degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Engineering or related technical field is required; an advanced degree is desirable.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a technical area such as R&D, product development, laboratory management, quality management systems, or food process engineering.
• Experience effectively leading a team and accomplishing goals through others.
• Basic understanding of regulatory and food law, including AAFCO Guidelines.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• As a member of the site leadership team, participate in and influence the development and implementation of site strategies.
• Sponsor the development of the Mars Quality Culture at the manufacturing site.
• Ensure adherence to the Mars Global Quality and Food Safety Standards.
• Owns the internal quality audit function and assures the effectiveness of the corrective and preventative action process within the framework of the plant's Quality Management System to achieve compliance targets. Leads the Quality Management review to ensure the effective application of the decision-making process and resource allocation to support the quality agenda.
• Assures that all products and packs produced at the site are safe for consumption and conform to the intended product design. Ensure all product is released on time.
• Is the site owner of the Product Related Incident Management Process ensuring effective control and management of nonconformances.
• Provides direction and influence for the development, implementation and continuous improvement of all quality systems.
• Responsible for actively supporting the change management and process improvement as the R&D Quality Champion.
• In partnership with the Implementation Deployment team, supports the quality and product safety components of all R&D driven projects at the site through quality planning, and by project oversight for compliance to Mars Q&FS policies and standards. i.e.
• The site implementation of all new products, line extensions including the effective execution of line trials, delivery of KQA's in line with finished product specifications and execution of process capability evaluations.
• Manage QFS Team in the site to assure technical and leadership capability, In time delivery of Individual Business Objectives and Q&FS KPI's and build clear succession planning, manage daily attendance, and associate development plans. Provide timely feedback on performance and provide training opportunities which align with development plans. Manages quality assurance and laboratory (services) functions for the site.
• Incident Owner for the management of out of Specification events (OOS) involving products, and the timely communication of the investigation results through R&D and Supply. Plays a pivotal role in incident investigation and product disposition decision using the standard processes for incident management process and internal and external communication protocols.
• Primary contact for all audits (FSSC, QMP, State Department of Ag., as well as FDA).
• Also responsible for the on-going analysis, interpretation and reporting of Q&FS related KPI's trends which may trigger an investigation and related continuous improvement programs.
• Responsible for using the inputs of the team via Mars Associate Survey (MAS) to coach the team to develop impact and follow up plans to build an energized and engaging environment in the Q&FS team.

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.