Technologist, Quality & Food Safety

Mars • Kansas City, MO

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Technologist, Quality & Food Safety (Q&FS) ensures relevant Q&FS standards are implemented and continuously improved at the local site to protect consumers and Mars brands. This hands-on technical role works across systematic compliance and factory-floor execution to identify, mitigate, and control biological, chemical, and physical hazards before they affect products or consumers.

The position ensures site processes comply with corporate Mars Quality and Food Safety Standards, Business Unit directives, and regulatory requirements. It supports HACCP and food-safety risk management, product holds and releases, audits and CAPA, incident response and root-cause analysis, continuous improvement, associate training, and final finished-product release. The role requires 10% travel and the ability to work on the manufacturing floor for prolonged periods in hot, dusty, or noisy environments around high-speed machinery.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, microbiology, chemistry, chemical engineering, a closely related scientific discipline, or equivalent.
• At least 2 years of experience in a food or related manufacturing facility.
• Hands-on experience with HACCP, food safety management systems, and internal auditing.
• Strong ability to lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and write clear, audit-ready technical procedures.
• Ability to confidently halt production or hold inventory, with excellent communication skills to coach floor operators.
• Ability to stand and walk on the manufacturing floor for prolonged periods and work safely around high-speed machinery in hot, dusty, or noisy plant environments.
• Willingness to travel 10%.

Nice To Haves

• Active HACCP, HARPC, or PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification.
• FSSC 22000 internal auditor certification.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Direct experience with SAP.

Responsibilities

• Ensure site processes and procedures comply with corporate Mars Quality and Food Safety Standards, Business Unit directives, and regulatory agency regulations.
• Serve as a core Food Safety Representative on the site HACCP Team and Food Safety Team, supporting risk assessments for facility changes, new products, packaging, and processes, and validating Critical Control Points (CCPs).
• Manage site product hold-and-release programs within SAP, NCMGT, and Nexus, including isolation, disposition, and destruction of non-conforming materials and products.
• Support site internal audits and Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) programs to drive continuous system improvements.
• Serve as a PRIMP (Product Related Incident Management Process) owner, lead structured root-cause analysis sessions, and recommend corrective actions.
• Identify defects and trends in site processes and develop or lead improvement projects in alignment with the Site Q&FS Manager.
• Develop and deliver interactive food safety and GMP training modules to build technical capability and a strong quality culture among site associates.
• Execute final release of finished products after confirming quality and food safety specifications are met.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Site Quality and Food Safety Manager.

Benefits

• Industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to Mars University.

What This Job Offers

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