Area Quality & Food Safety Specialist

Mars • Elizabethtown, PA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Area Quality & Food Safety Specialist is the primary Quality and Food Safety partner and technical leader for a Value Stream. The role implements and continuously improves the Quality Management Process (QMP) to ensure reliable delivery of products that meet external legislative requirements and internal global Quality & Food Safety standards.

The specialist manages food safety and quality programs, leads HACCP and PCQI activities, supports compliance with applicable external standards, and coordinates audits, corrective actions, incident management, and continuous improvement. The role also provides technical input for Value Stream activities, supports risk assessments and troubleshooting, and develops food safety training to strengthen capability and sustain compliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical field; alternatively, a high school diploma or GED and at least 5 years of demonstrated success in manufacturing or quality experience.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities in leading and influencing others.
• Knowledge of food safety risk identification and management, HACCP, prerequisite controls, and GLPs.
• Knowledge of and experience with ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems.
• Knowledge of GFSI quality systems such as SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000, or ISO 9000.
• Knowledge of GMP, food allergens, pest control, sanitation, and food safety regulations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment.
• Ability to travel 10% of the time.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical field.
• Two to three years of experience in different quality-related areas, such as raw materials, distribution, or manufacturing.
• Two to three years of experience in a manufacturing-site role managing quality and food safety management systems, with responsibility related to food safety or Quality and Food Safety management systems.

Responsibilities

• Implement QMP-related standards in the Value Stream and drive full compliance.
• Manage the Value Stream food safety program, including compliance with required external standards such as FSC 22000, GFSI, and FSMA.
• Set and advance the quality agenda by identifying priorities related to Quality and Food Safety KPIs, aligning strategy and resource allocation, and monitoring and reporting progress.
• Serve as HACCP Lead and PCQI for the Value Stream.
• Lead implementation of GMP/GHP and CCP/OPRP programs to drive compliance.
• Coordinate QMP activities, including CAPAs, internal audits, continuous improvement, and document creation and control.
• Act as the key interface for Quality and Food Safety activities within the Value Stream.
• Provide technical input to Value Stream activities, including new equipment installation.
• Partner with stakeholders to manage line-trial risk assessments and exception testing.
• Ensure visual quality materials used for inspections are current for the Value Stream.
• Conduct Level 2 Quality and Food Safety troubleshooting and escalate Level 3 issues to Technical Services.
• Coordinate first-line Quality and Food Safety incident management, including coordination with outside stakeholders when needed; act as incident coordinator and RA1, and track and report incident closure.
• Assist with root-cause analysis investigations and verify effective implementation of corrective and preventive action plans.
• Follow up on consumer and customer complaints within the Value Stream.
• Lead Quality and Food Safety topics in Value Stream operational meetings and provide input to advance the quality agenda.
• Communicate Value Stream initiatives within the R&D community.
• Support the MSE program, potentially as an active member of one of its pillars.
• Support other Quality and Food Safety programs as needed, including internal and external audits, trials, food defense, the Sensory program, onboarding new associates, and QCC training.
• Develop and roll out food safety training as needed to build technical and functional capability in the supply team and sustain compliance with Quality and Food Safety standards.

Benefits

• Industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.
• Learning and development support from day one, including access to Mars University.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level