Quality Engineer Raw Materials

United Petfood Group • Mishawaka, IN

20h • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Quality Engineer, you will be responsible for ensuring the quality of raw materials used in our production processes and for optimizing our NIRS (Near Infrared Spectroscopy) systems. Working closely with the local Quality & R&D teams, you will help ensure that only high-quality raw materials are selected, analyzed, and approved for use. You will evaluate and analyze incoming raw materials to ensure they meet established quality standards and specifications. You will investigate raw material deviations, identify root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions in collaboration with suppliers and internal stakeholders. You will support the preparation and coordination of internal sensory evaluation panels, helping assess the quality and consistency of raw materials. You will monitor supplier performance, investigate and resolve raw material quality issues, and support supplier audit activities to drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance with quality standards. You will maintain, validate, and optimize NIRS (Near Infrared Spectroscopy) systems, including calibration models, databases, and performance monitoring. You will support supplier qualification activities, monitor supplier performance, and participate in supplier audits. You will analyze quality and laboratory data, identify trends, and recommend improvements to quality control processes and raw material evaluation methods. You will work closely with Quality, Procurement, Operations, and R&D teams to ensure consistent raw material quality and reliable sourcing decisions. You will ensure that laboratory equipment and analytical methods remain accurate, reliable, and aligned with company standards.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Initial experience in quality, laboratory operations, raw material management, or a related technical environment.
• Comfortable working independently, taking ownership of responsibilities, and managing projects from start to finish.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen eye for detail and data accuracy.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment where priorities can shift and where flexibility is key.
• Enjoy collaborating with different stakeholders and building strong working relationships across functions.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively and translate technical findings into practical recommendations.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on approach and eagerness to learn, explore, and continuously improve.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and analyze incoming raw materials to ensure they meet established quality standards and specifications.
• Investigate raw material deviations, identify root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions in collaboration with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Support the preparation and coordination of internal sensory evaluation panels, helping assess the quality and consistency of raw materials.
• Monitor supplier performance, investigate and resolve raw material quality issues, and support supplier audit activities to drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance with quality standards.
• Maintain, validate, and optimize NIRS (Near Infrared Spectroscopy) systems, including calibration models, databases, and performance monitoring.
• Support supplier qualification activities, monitor supplier performance, and participate in supplier audits.
• Analyze quality and laboratory data, identify trends, and recommend improvements to quality control processes and raw material evaluation methods.
• Work closely with Quality, Procurement, Operations, and R&D teams to ensure consistent raw material quality and reliable sourcing decisions.
• Ensure that laboratory equipment and analytical methods remain accurate, reliable, and aligned with company standards.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package aligned with experience
• Comprehensive benefits program
• Comprehensive on-the-job training covering raw materials, analytical methods, and NIRS technology
• Highly varied role within an ambitious team in a fast-growing international environment
• Opportunity to take on significant responsibility and contribute to high-quality products and streamlined processes
• Open, collaborative environment where ideas and initiative make a real difference
• Company culture built on entrepreneurship, teamwork, flexibility, and a hands-on mentality
• Company culture built on entrepreneurship, a hands-on mentality, down-to-earth collaboration, and flexibility
• Active support for career growth, giving ownership over development path

What This Job Offers

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