Manager - SQA Raws

Mars (New); Hackettstown (NJ); On-site; USD 108,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars looks for a Supplier Quality Assurance Technologist to assure fit-for-purpose raw materials for regional sites. You will drive supplier quality, safety, and cost-improvement initiatives, and perform supplier audits to ensure compliance with food safety and packaging requirements. Travel 50–75% is required across US sites.

The role interacts with Commercial, R&D, and Supply teams, focusing on quality systems, process improvement, and supplier risk management to sustain Mars' standards.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Engineering or related technical field.
• 3 years of experience in a technical area such as R&D product development, quality systems, laboratory management, manufacturing, or engineering.
• Ability to travel 50 to 75% of the time.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Assures quality and consistency of raw and/or packaging material supply within the region.
• Creates material risk assessments and supplier improvement plans
• Works in partnership with Commercial Buying Team and Site-based Quality Services to identify and execute inbound material cost, quality, food safety and efficiency improvement projects
• Manages all inbound supply risks including material security, quality, food/product safety and regulatory compliance.
• Performs supplier site audits and ensures completion of identified corrective actions
• Communicates effectively with multiple internal customers in Commercial, R&D and Supply
• Performs supplier performance reviews and manages supplier performance metrics

Skills

Travel 50-75%

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Education

BS degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Engineering or related technical field

Job description

Purpose of Role

Assures “fit for purpose” for raw materials that meet/exceed the needs of the regional manufacturing sites and end-users. Ongoing responsibilities of the role include ensuring continuous supplier process improvement, identifying, and executing cost improvement initiatives, assuring food/human/product safety, continuous quality improvement, and performing supplier site visits and audits. The role requires functional expertise in food, organics and/or snack materials along with inorganic material science knowledge in support of packaging. The Supplier Quality Assurance Technologist interacts extensively with the Commercial buying team, manufacturing, product, packaging and commodity development functions with a special emphasis and deep functional knowledge within a unique commercial buying category (i.e., cocoa, paper, gum, colors, etc.).

Principal Accountabilities

• Assures quality and consistency of raw and/or packaging material supply within the region.
• Creates material risk assessments and supplier improvement plans
• Works in partnership with Commercial Buying Team and Site-based Quality Services to identify and execute inbound material cost, quality, food safety and efficiency improvement projects
• Manages all inbound supply risks including material security, quality, food/product safety and regulatory compliance.
• Performs supplier site audits and ensures completion of identified corrective actions
• Communicates effectively with multiple internal customers in Commercial, R&D and Supply
• Performs supplier performance reviews and manages supplier performance metrics

Mission Critical Competencies

• Managing and Measuring Work Science and Technology
• Managing through Systems Planning/Project Management
• Informing Key Functional Skills/Knowledge
• Quality management systems
• Food safety management
• Packaging technology
• Process Improvement methodologies
• Statistical Process Control
• Demonstrated troubleshooting ability
• Knowledge of food processing equipment and controls
• Familiarity with food law, consumer product safety and regulatory guidelines
• Effective communication skills
• Ability to drive positive change at supplier locations

Minimum Qualifications

• BS degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Engineering or related technical field
• 3 years of experience in a technical area such as R&D product development, quality systems, laboratory management, manufacturing, or engineering
• Ability to travel 50 to 75% of the time
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience with direct supply chain quality management
• 5+ years of experience in a technical area such as R&D product development, quality systems, auditing, food safety, laboratory management, manufacturing, or engineering
• Experience with dairy or similar materials
• Proficient foreign language (Spanish/Portuguese preferred)

Decision Making Authority and Impact

Proper supplier risk assessment and food safety controls under the Supplier Quality Assurance function directly prevents manufacture of adulterated product. Product conformance to specifications and requirements. Placing non-conforming product on “hold” Notification of raw material quality and safety issues. Identifying risks and expedient communication of issues Approval of suppliers as extensions of Mars Wrigley North American sites Risk categorization of suppliers Recommendations Supplier-based quality system improvements Prioritization of continuous improvement activity and resource allocation to achieve improvements Inputs into global and regional Supplier Quality Assurance Strategy Disposition of non-conforming product and fitness for use of materials not meeting specification Modifications to raw material or packaging risk assessments and specifications.

People Management Responsibility

• Direct (management associates) 0
• Direct (non-management associates) 0
• Indirect (management associates) 0
• Indirect (non-management associates) 0

#LI-JH1 #LI-Onsite

Pay and Compensation

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

USD 108,160.00 - USD 148,720.00

The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits.

About Mars

Mars is a family-owned business with more than $35 billion in global sales. We produce some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, BEN’S ORIGINAL®, and COCOAVIA®. Alongside our consumer brands, we proudly take care of half of the world’s pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses such as Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, AniCura, VCA™ and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our 140,000 Associates into taking action every day towards creating the world we want tomorrow.