Food Safety Systems Senior Specialist

Royal Canin USA Inc; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Job summary

Mars Wrigley is seeking a Food Safety Systems Senior Specialist to lead and enhance the site’s quality and food safety programs. You will provide technical guidance, drive risk-based decisions, and ensure compliance with global standards while delivering safe, compliant products.

Reporting to the Site Q&FS Manager, you will influence cross-functional teams, manage audits, and implement improvements that support manufacturing operations and regulatory readiness.

Qualifications

• > BS in Food Science/Engineering/Chemistry or related field, or 5+ years in manufacturing quality.
• > 2–3 years in a food manufacturing environment.
• > In-depth knowledge of food microbiology, safety, processes and laws.
• > Demonstrated leadership in influencing others.
• > Food safety risk management, HACCP and prerequisite controls.
• > GMP, GLP, allergens, sanitation and regulations knowledge.
• > Strong communication and people development skills.
• > Independent, forward-thinking with decisive action.
• > Negotiation and problem-solving with all staff levels.
• > Ability to travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• > Leads development and implementation of standards, processes, and new tech for food safety at the site.
• > Interprets and applies food safety standards and regulations in manufacturing operations.
• > Oversees HACCP plans and CCP/OPRP validation governance.
• > Leads root cause analyses and drives corrective actions.
• > Interprets data for product safety and advises on resolutions.
• > Leads food safety training across the site.
• > Provides technical guidance to ensure microbiologically safe processes.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety expertise

HACCP & prerequisites

GMP/GLP knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Audit experience

Communication skills

Risk assessment

Problem solving

Education

BS in Food Science/Engineering/Chemistry or related field

Job description

Job Description:

The Food Safety Systems Senior Specialist provides deep technical leadership to develop, maintain and proactively improve Mars Wrigley Quality and Food Safety programs. Under the supervision of the Site Q&FS Manager, this role provides technical expertise, consultancy and a practical food safety approach to the site manufacturing operations. This role makes complex risk-based food safety decisions that enable the reliable delivery of products that meet all external legislative requirements and all internal Q&FS standards.

What are we looking for?

Minimum Requirements

• BS degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering, Chemistry or related technical field or combination of education and 5+ years demonstrated success in relevant manufacturing/quality experience
• 2-3 years of work experience in a food manufacturing environment
• In depth knowledge of food microbiology, food safety, manufacturing processes and food laws
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities in leading/influencing others
• Food safety risk, identification and management, HACCP and prerequisite controls
• Knowledge of GMP, GLP, food allergens, pest control, sanitation, and food safety regulations
• Strong people and organizational development skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Forward thinking, self-directed, capable of making independent actions, and ability to make complex decisions that drive business performance
• Proven negotiation and problem-solving skills with all levels of staff including senior management
• Ability to travel 10% of the time

Preferred Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in a manufacturing site managing quality and food safety management systems responsible position related to food safety or Quality and food safety management system
• Experience with regulatory and 3rd party audit requirements
• Experience with practical applied microbiology in factory environments
• Capable leader of teams and individuals with ability to motivate and engage superiors, peers, indirect associates, and global Q&FS community
• Advanced understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP's), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Systems (HACCP)
• Knowledge of and experience with ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems and ISO 17025 general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
• Knowledge of and experience with ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
• Experience with GFSI Quality Systems such as SQF, BRC, FSSC22000, ISO9000 or ISO17025
• Strong people management skills in creating a participative environment and a high performance team

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Leads the effective development and implementation of standards, processes, new technology/methods and drives continuous improvement of food safety management at the manufacturing site
• Acts as a technical resource for interpretation and ongoing application of food safety standards and regulations, as they relate to manufacturing operations, including but not limited to the Global Microbiological Verification, Allergen Management, Foreign Material Management, Mold and Mycotoxin, HACCP and Food Fraud Standards
• Acts as Food Safety Coordinator, providing governance to HACCP Food Safety plans and managing validations of CCP and OPRP preventive controls.
• Leads the Root Cause Analysis investigation of food safety incidents and drives effective implementation of corrective and preventative actions.
• Interprets sensitive and technical data for potential impact on product safety and provides timely recommendations for the effective resolution of food safety issues.
• Leads the development and deployment of Food Safety training across the manufacturing site
• Provides technical guidance and consultancy to the Food Safety Team to assure that manufacturing processes and environments are microbiologically safe for producing both new and existing products.

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 company bonus.

Mars does not sponsor visas for this role.

This position is not eligible for relocation benefits.

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