Corporate Quality Expert - Thermal Processing

Nestle Operational Services Worldwide SA•Solon, OH

4d•$111,821 - $152,396•Hybrid

About The Position

Foods you love. Brands you trust. And a career that empowers you to grow. At Nestlé USA, we’re all working towards the same goal – to delight and deliver for our consumers. With a rich portfolio of beloved brands, including DiGiorno, Toll House, and Coffee mate, in 97% of U.S. households, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to be there for every moment in our consumers’ lives. Joining Nestlé means becoming part of an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates your achievements. No matter where you work within the organization, you are empowered to challenge the status quo, embrace risk-taking, and pioneer new ideas. Our supportive and collaborative environment encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning so that everyone can grow and thrive. This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. This role involves significant travel to manufacturing sites (+75%; if not in Solon, OH travel may be elevated to accommodate business activities in Solon, OH.). Provide market-wide, field-intensive thermal processing technical service to factories, co-manufacturers, and licensees. Independently plan and execute process studies, evaluate data, strengthen factory controls, and build factory specialist capability. Operate as an apprentice for a future Process Authority designation under defined oversight, progressively developing the breadth, judgment, regulatory knowledge, and documented experience required for formal Process Authority designation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree Required. Preferably in Food Science, Food Technology, Engineering, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related science-based discipline; advanced technical education is an asset.
Better Process Control School or equivalent advanced role-specific thermal processing training; HACCP training required.
Training in study design, thermal process calculations, data acquisition/analysis, package evaluation, and applicable regulations.
Typically five or more years of experience in thermal process establishment, validation, verification, or technical support.
Hands-on experience conducting studies and authoring technical reports across more than one product, package, equipment design, or processing technology.
Experience leading audits, supporting start-ups and incident investigations, and evaluating process deviations with Process Authority oversight.
Demonstrated ability to influence multiple factories without direct authority and to develop technical specialists.

Nice To Haves

advanced technical education is an asset.

Responsibilities

Design, conduct, document, and technically evaluate temperature/heat distribution, heat penetration, process validation, verification, and control-system validation studies across assigned factories.
Prepare thermal process establishment reports and draft scheduled process requirements and Thermal Processing Specifications for review and approval by the designated Process Authority.
Review and approve, within delegated authority, factory thermal processing CCPs, operating procedures, sterility control programs, change-control packages, study protocols, and validation documentation.
Evaluate routine and moderately complex process deviations using approved methods and tools; recommend product disposition and controls, and escalate serious, novel, or precedent-setting cases to the Process Authority.
Maintain field presence during trials, commissioning, start-ups, troubleshooting, audits, and investigations; verify that actual equipment, product, package, utilities, and operating practices match documented assumptions.
Support regulatory inspections and information requests by assembling accurate technical records and analyses; coordinate external responses through the designated Process Authority and Regulatory function.
Lead cross-factory technical analysis of thermal process instability, overprocessing, spoilage, package defects, rework, and process losses.
Develop evidence-based improvements that preserve validated lethality and commercial sterility while improving process capability and efficiency.
Transfer effective practices among factories and verify adoption and benefit through field follow-up.
Maintain the market master list of thermal processing operations, systems, studies, specifications, and validation status.
Conduct thermal processing audits, issue technical recommendations, and monitor corrective-action effectiveness across supported sites.
Support the design, qualification, modification, and start-up of new processing systems and new product/package applications, under the guidance of the Process Authority.
Apply consistent study methods, data evaluation, report formats, technical criteria, and escalation rules across the market.
Train, coach, and assess Factory Thermal Processing Sr Specialists and factory teams; establish development plans where role expectations are not met.
Pursue a documented Process Authority apprenticeship plan including supervised studies, calculations, deviation evaluations, report authorship, regulatory exposure, and technical approvals.
Contribute to standards, tools, training materials, technical forums, and network knowledge sharing.