Product Quality Design Lead

Well Enterprises•Le Mars, IA

About The Position

The Quality Design Lead ensures FSQ is embedded across the entire product lifecycle — from early concept to industrialization and launch — by designing and continuously updating clear and actionable Product FSQ Specifications. This position supports innovation working closely with core functions such as R&D, Marketing, Legal, Packaging and all manufacturing sites. This role operates in a dynamic global environment, taking ownership of the FSQ perimeter for Ice Cream and contributing to Ferrero’s legacy portfolio as well as integration support for M&A’s.

Requirements

Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) requirements are fully embedded
Support all stages of the product innovation pipeline
FSQ criteria are incorporated from the earliest phases of product design
Involvement in industrial trials and start of production
Creating and maintaining Product FSQ Specifications for the Ice Cream category
Defining the rules that production plants and partners must follow to meet FSQ standards
Specifications cover the entire value chain, from raw materials and process parameters to shelf life, sensory characteristics, and finished product attributes
Drive the continuous improvement of these documents by integrating learnings from plant audits, field operations, and consumer feedback
Provide expertise when deviations from product specifications are requested
Acts as a global point of contact in the event of nonconformities or incidents
Supporting analysis and decision-making processes
Participates in governance discussions
Lead the development and management of FSQ KPIs related to innovation
Product FSQ Innovation dashboard

Responsibilities

Along the stage & gate process, this role plays a key role in ensuring that Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) requirements are fully embedded, supporting a First Time Right approach throughout the development journey.
Support all stages of the product innovation pipeline, working closely with Technical Category R&D (DTC) and other stakeholders to ensure that FSQ criteria are incorporated from the earliest phases of product design. Involvement in industrial trials and start of production will allow you to verify that safety and quality expectations are met under real world production conditions, ensuring alignment between design intent and industrial execution.
Responsible for creating and maintaining Product FSQ Specifications for the Ice Cream category, defining the rules that production plants and partners must follow to meet FSQ standards. These specifications cover the entire value chain, from raw materials and process parameters to shelf life, sensory characteristics, and finished product attributes. Drive the continuous improvement of these documents by integrating learnings from plant audits, field operations, and consumer feedback, while actively collaborating with the relevant cross functional teams.
Provide expertise when deviations from product specifications are requested and acts as a global point of contact in the event of nonconformities or incidents, supporting analysis and decision-making processes. Participates in governance discussions to ensure that FSQ perspectives are fully reflected in strategic choices.
Lead the development and management of FSQ KPIs related to innovation and the Product FSQ Innovation dashboard, ensuring clear visibility on progress and performance across projects.