Quality Specialist - External Partnerships Foods NA

Quality Specialist - External Partnerships Foods NA

Title of role: Quality Specialist - External Partnerships Foods NA

Work Level: 1C

Location: Rexdale Canada Factory

Background & Purpose of the Job

The Quality Specialist for the Foods North America Business Group needs to build meaningful and productive relationships with our valued CM's and suppliers to ensure that quality systems robustly deliver superior quality products. The role is responsible for overseeing quality program effectiveness and improvement activities across our network in collaboration with cross-functional supply chain teams and for developing future-fit capabilities for efficiency and value creation.

Who You Are & What You'll Do:

• You're a born leader and a changemaker: You love the concept of continuous improvement, and you have the tools and knowledge to impart significant change for the better - in ANY organization. You can lead through influence across a multitude of external partner sites and will help our partners grow!
• You're a dot connector: You understand world class quality and can activate the right levers to deliver the Unilever quality ambition with partners. You will help guide and lead the way - it's in your DNA!
• You're a teacher: You are a subject matter expert - you have the knowledge and will share it!
• You're a culture & change champion: Our goal is to provide customers and consumers with products that will delight! Quality must be cultural by nature, and it flows from the highest levels of management in an organization to all staff and personnel. You have a strong desire to be the influencer of change towards quality excellence with our partner organizations.

• Deploy Unilever Quality strategy, governance and goals through specific projects and targets
• Partner with cross-functional teams to resolve quality issues and to ensure consistent product quality (e.g., External Partners, Procurement, Sourcing Units)
• Proactively build capability with external partners to reduce risk of product quality issues
• Participate in Quality Expert interventions (e.g., quality reviews, onsite audits, workshops, training events)
• Support the design of new systems, digital platforms, specialized best practice content and improved ways of working to drive value
• Pursue value-creation projects as assigned
• Travel to external partner locations for issue resolution and capability development

• University degree in technical discipline or general sciences; preferably Biology, Engineering, Supply Chain, Microbiology, Chemistry or Food Science degree
• A minimum of 5-7 years of experience in supplier quality management or manufacturing, preferably in a fast-moving CPG environment
• Strong understanding of quality systems, structured problem solving and continuous improvement concepts and practices with exceptional analytical, root-cause-analysis skills
• Manufacturing technology knowledge in the areas in which Unilever operates (e.g., food products, chemicals, packaging materials)
• Flexibility and motivation; you're a self-starter with the ability to adapt quickly and effectively, with a high sense of urgency
• Proficiency in Microsoft tools, SAP
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• A desire to drive improvements and take responsibility for outcomes
• A willingness to bring your best and to continually develop and grow!