Food Safety & Quality Product Design Manager

Ferrero International S.A.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 113,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Ferrero International S.A. is seeking an FSQ Product Design NAM to define and govern FSQ specifications across North American products. This role connects Food Safety, R&D, and Global Brand teams to embed FSQ throughout concept to launch.

The candidate will lead standardization, monitor KPIs, and drive continuous improvements while collaborating with manufacturing and supply chain partners.

Qualifications

• Ability to analyze data and translate insights into actionable improvements.
• Experience managing KPIs and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proven cross-functional collaboration across R&D, manufacturing, and supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain FSQ product specifications, guidelines, and methodologies across product categories.
• Ensure consistency and standardization of FSQ rules (e.g., shelf-life, sensorial evaluation, compliance criteria).
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives based on plant feedback, inspections, and consumer insights, non-conformance and out-of-specification data.
• Collaborate with R&D, Product Groups, and cross-functional teams to embed FSQ requirements into new product development and product modifications.
• Support product innovation by identifying FSQ risks and ensuring mitigation strategies during development and industrial trials.
• Monitor and analyze FSQ product performance through KPIs and dashboards; provide insights and recommendations.
• Support and contribute to management of non-conformities, incidents, and specification deviations.
• Provide FSQ expertise and guidance for decision-making.
• Ensure alignment with Global FSQ, Industrial, and Supply Chain stakeholders.
• Contribute to FSQ-related investment decisions and product development processes.

Skills

Data analysis

KPI management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/related field

Job description

About the Role:

We have a current opening for a FSQ Product Design NAM and are actively reviewing applications. The Food Safety & Quality Product Design (FSQPD) manager is responsible for defining and governing product Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) specifications across product categories in North America. It establishes consistent rules, methodologies, and performance standards to ensure product compliance, food safety, and quality excellence throughout the full value chain. This role plays a critical link between Food Safety & Quality sister functions, R&D, and Global Brand teams—supporting innovation, product development, and continuous improvement. The FSQPD manager helps ensure FSQ requirements are embedded from concept through launch while driving performance monitoring and continuous improvement initiatives.

Main Responsibilities:

• Define and maintain Food Safety & Quality product specifications, guidelines, and methodologies across product categories
• Ensure consistency and standardization of FSQ rules (e.g., shelf-life, sensorial evaluation, compliance criteria)
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives based on plant feedback, inspections, and consumer insights, non-conformance and out-of-specification data
• Collaborate with R&D, Product Groups, and cross-functional teams to embed FSQ requirements into new product development and product modifications
• Support product innovation by identifying FSQ risks and ensuring mitigation strategies during development and industrial trials
• Monitor and analyze FSQ product performance through KPIs and dashboards; provide insights and recommendations
• Support and contribute to management of non-conformities, incidents, and specification deviations
• Provide FSQ expertise and guidance for decision-making
• Ensure alignment with Global FSQ, Industrial, and Supply Chain stakeholders
• Contribute to FSQ-related investment decisions and product development processes

About You:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Micro, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or related technical field is required, Master’s degree is preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in Food Safety, Quality, R&D, or Product Development within food manufacturing
• Strong knowledge of Food Safety & Microbiology, Quality standards, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and other regulations, and product specification systems
• Experience supporting product innovation and new product development processes
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, manage KPIs, and translate insights into actionable improvements
• Proven experience working cross-functionally with R&D, manufacturing, and supply chain teams
• Familiarity with non-conformity management, incident investigation, and root cause analysis
• Ability to influence stakeholders and operate effectively in a global, matrix organization

Artificial Intelligence DisclosureAs part of our recruitment process, Ferrero may use artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tools to assist with reviewing candidate applications. These tools are used solely to support recruiters by summarizing application information and identifying potential alignment with job requirements. AI does not independently screen out or select candidates, and it does not replace human judgment. Final decisions regarding candidate progression are always made by Ferrero recruiters and hiring managers.

What We Offer:

Careers with caring built in - discover our benefits here. The base compensation range for this position is $113,026.00 - $150,701.00. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This range represents the anticipated salary for this position at this time. In addition to base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other benefits.

About Ferrero:

Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero at ferrero.com.

DE&I at Ferrero:

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding.Find out more here.Ferrero is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable human rights laws. Ferrero will recruit, hire, train, and promote all persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, or history of disability (except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement and the individual is not able to perform the essential functions of the position even with reasonable accommodations), citizenship, or any other protected characteristic. Ferrero will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise the People & Organization (HR) Representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.