Associate Scientist External Manufacturing (FTC 1 year)

Mars; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Benefits

Mars University learning

Job summary

Mars in Slough, UK, invites a dedicated Associate Scientist to manage External Manufacturing Quality and QMS frameworks, driving continuous improvement. The role involves overseeing product development changes, PRIMP incident escalation, and supplier QA with a strong emphasis on HACCP and ISO practices.

You will lead audits, drive quality culture, implement EMQM, and ensure supplier quality systems meet Mars QMP requirements while aligning with KPI targets and 70% travel to external sites.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience in a Quality or Food Safety role in the food industry or related industries.
• Auditing experience; Lead auditor qualification preferred.
• Knowledge of HACCP, ISO and quality & food safety management systems (PRIMP, risk assessment).
• Experience with external manufacturers and supplier management.
• Proven project management, organizing skills and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• External manufacturer approval and ongoing verification.
• Assess and drive Mars quality culture and behaviours.
• Conduct QFS audits of co-manufacturers to verify compliance to QMP requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and implement QMP standards for External Manufacturing (EMQM).
• Ensure robust quality management systems at suppliers (HACCP, Supplier QA).
• Develop action plans and monitor progress to meet timeframes.
• Set and monitor KPI targets (Right First Time, CPku/M, Conformance).
• Lead handling of incidents and post-incident reviews with root-cause analysis.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Food Safety

Supplier management

Project management

Leadership

HACCP

ISO

PRIMP

Risk assessment

Auditing

Food microbiology

Analytical chemistry

Sensory methods

Lean Six Sigma

Communication

Education

Food science/ technology degree

Job description

Job Description:

In this role the job holder’s key area of responsiblity is ensuring the implementation and maintenance of the Global External Manufacturing Quality Management and Quality Management System frameworks, and driving a continuous improvement culture on the site. In addition, the jobholder is responsible for ensuring all new product development and technical changes are managed robustly according to QMS processes such as QuEST. The jobholder will also have the responsibility to ensure product incidents are managed according to the PRIMP process and ensuring incidents are escalated according to the defined timelines.

Location: Slough, UK (hybrid)

Contract: 1-year contract

Salary: annual salary £43,850 - £51,000 (depending on the experience), annual bonus, benefits

What are we looking for?

• Academic education in food science/ technology or related subject would be beneficial
• Strong hands-on experience in a Quality or Food Safety role in food industry or related industries
• Strong relationship builder with good commercial awareness and supplier management skills
• Proven and effective project management & organizing experience
• Visible passion, behaviour and leadership around Mars first principle – Quality Key Skills
• HACCP, ISO, and quality & food safety management systems, PRIMP, Risk assessment & management
• Auditing preferably Lead auditor qualified
• Basic Food microbiology, analytical chemistry and sensory methods knowledge
• Basic technological knowledge around food processing equipment
• Knowledge about Lean Six Sigma methods
• Strong communicator
• High level of travel 70% (visiting external manufacturers' sites)

What would be your key responsibilities?

As the primary MARS R&D representative at External manufacturers, the Associate scientist is responsible for :

• External manufacturer Approval and on-going verification
• Assess and drive Mars quality culture and behaviours
• Perform all co-manufacturing Q&FS audits verifying the quality and effectiveness of their quality management systems and compliance to MARS QMP requirements
• Assess and ensure continuous improvement culture is in place Drive implementation of QMP standards, specifically External Manufacturing Quality Management (EMQM)
• Ensure that the supplier has robust and effective quality management systems and processes in place e.g. HACCP, Supplier Quality Assurance
• Creation of implementation actions plans and monitor progress to ensure completion in line with mandated timeframes. Development and Continuous Improvement of External manufacturer
• Develop External manufacturers to agreed status
• Set Q&FS measures in line with targets of Right First Time, Complaints Per Million and Total Conformance index and ensure clear action plans are in place to meet KPIs
• Implement best practices and learning from relevant serious and critical incidents within the targeted timeframe Performance management of External manufacturers
• Responsible for gathering and reporting all food safety and quality related metrics and driving necessary continuous improvement programmes
• Responsible for analysis of microbiological and analytical laboratory data related to the safety of raw material and finished goods and carrying out the correct escalation procedures New product development
• Lead Risk Assessments to ensure that all QFS and legal hazards have been identified and effective control measures are in place
• Create Technical Specifications based on risk assessment output, product specifications and manufacturer’s process specifications
• Participate in line trials at the supplier, assess effectiveness all controls measures and identify necessary improvements
• Lead and execute Handover 1 to approve supply solutions to self-sufficient production status. Incident Management
• Manage the Hold & Release process
• Application of problem solving tools such as PDCA, 5 whys, to aid root cause analysis as part of post incident reviews
• Ensure corrective and preventative actions are implemented within agreed time frames and incident learnings are shared with the wider business

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose-driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.

Mars is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or who are neurodiverse during the application and recruitment process. To request reasonable adjustments, complete our Reasonable Adjustment Request Form here

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