Specialist QRC Innovation

The Hershey Company•Lower Swatara Township, PA

About The Position

This role is designed to support Innovation with a focus on food safety while enabling speed to market, including “atypical” approaches to develop, manufacture and market new products. As a result, this position needs to react quickly to changing business needs and maintain a “fluid” work environment. Focus of role is Hershey’s Salty Snacks Innovation and Quality Operations. Under direction from QRC leaders and in collaboration with R&D, Operations, Engineering, Packaging, and Commercial Teams, this role is responsible for all aspects of food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance of the Agile Innovation Process and traditional early-stage Innovation. This includes, but is not limited to, identification and approval of ingredients and packaging, conducting quality system assessments (ingredient/packaging suppliers, manufacturing locations, distribution sites, etc.), policy and procedure development pertaining to Innovation, conducting Quality Design Reviews, developing Food Safety and Quality plans and providing on-site support of manufacturing and distribution operations. Ensures compliance with government regulations, industry standards and Company’s program and procedures. Prepare reports, presentations, and training modules. Work with Hershey’s QRC, Engineering, Packaging, and R&D team members to identify, standardize, and implement best practices, new technologies and methods related to these areas of expertise and any emerging issues. Work with COEs and SMEs to develop and implement global standards for food safety and quality at external manufacturing partners. Work with Hershey Marketing, Sales, and Operations to ensure inclusion of Quality Requirements in Contractual Agreements. Must be able to travel up to 25% of the time with possible weekend travel and overnight stays required. Must be able to travel both domestically and internationally. Must be flexible to participate in trips that arise with short notice.

Requirements

Able to work in a dynamic environment with short deadlines and constantly shifting business needs.
Thorough knowledge of Food Safety and HACCP, GMPs, FDA regulations, quality design principles.
Ability to troubleshoot using Company-wide resources and evaluate quality systems.
Capable of understanding varied manufacturing processes to include dairy, sweeteners, confectionery, cereal, peanuts and tree nuts, ground nuts, raisins, flour, snacks, baking, extrusion and warehousing.
Manufacturing plant experience preferred.
Quick learner and self-motivated.
Must be able to climb ladders and maneuver around equipment
Must have strong computer skills and be proficient in desktop software packages
Ability to work in a team environment and independently in a flexible work environment with changing priorities.
Solid communication skills in verbal and written form. Solid presentation skills.
Ability to lead & influence change
Ability to represent Hershey and establish effective relationships with External Manufacturing Partners
Must be able to travel up to 25% of the time, including domestic and international with possible weekend travel and stays required.
Valid driver’s license.
Must have or be able to obtain a Passport.
BS degree in a technical field such as Chemistry/Biology/Microbiology, Food Science, Engineering.
Minimum 5 years experience in the food industry with experience in manufacturing/co-manufacturing/co-packing/distribution quality systems and industry benchmarking.

Nice To Haves

FDA PCQI certification preferred.
FDA PCQI (Preventative Control Qualified Individual) certification preferred.

Responsibilities

QRC Leadership for Innovation and Project Support: Represents QRC on Front-of-Funnel Innovation and other applicable projects. Assures that the food quality and food safety aspects of the projects are taken into account in planning and implementation. Conducts Quality Design Reviews. Effectively communicates and transfers knowledge on projects and product changes to regional QRC personnel.
Program and Process Leadership and Support: Actively identifies and supports packaging and ingredient supplier approval process. Prepares documentation necessary to support FSMA, Foods Safety, Quality and Regulatory Compliance. Provides on-site support at manufacturing sites during trials and/or production runs. Conducts quality issue follow-up and resolution involving the manufacturing sites, distribution and logistics groups and manufacturing locations. Prepares reports for issue resolution, provides timely communication to partners upon learning any service-related issue from manufacturing locations. Keeps abreast of government regulations and enforcement, trends in food safety, pest control regulations and techniques and changes in PEP/HACCP policies and procedures.
Continuous Improvement: Participates in continuous program improvement efforts using audit and KPI data, Gap analysis, and CPG benchmarking to establish yearly goals.

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