Quality Specialist - C Shift (Nights)

Unilever; Independence (MO); On-site; USD 59,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

Unilever Foods in Independence, MO seeks a Quality Specialist for the overnight C Shift (7:00 PM–7:00 AM). You will lead real-time quality decisions, guide technicians, and collaborate with Operations to keep products safe and compliant.

You will own on-shift holds in SAP/QualityOne, manage deviations, and drive CAPAs while delivering data-driven handoffs to the day shift. Strong technical QA background and leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, food science, regulatory science, chemistry, engineering or related field.
• Minimum of two years of quality-related experience in food manufacturing.
• Ability to make independent real-time quality decisions and lead during upset events.
• Strong analytical, math, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to work the C Shift night schedule: 7:00 PM–7:00 AM.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the empowered quality decision-maker on C Shift, including disposition and stop/go decisions.
• Ensure compliance with sanitation, cGMPs, and regulatory requirements.
• Own on-shift product holds and final disposition coordination.
• Enter and manage holds in SAP/QualityOne and initiate incidents.
• Identify deviations, root-cause, CAPA handoff, and escalation.
• Lead quality response during upset events and abnormal conditions.
• Provide guidance for on-shift Quality Lab Technicians.
• Set priorities and coach technicians; report shift quality performance.

Skills

Decision making

Analytical thinking

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Food Science, Regulatory Science, Chemistry or Engineering

Tools

SAP QM

QualityOne

EWM

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Quality Specialist – C Shift (Nights) Shift Hours: 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM Schedule: Sun–Wed on long weeks; Sun–Tues on short weeks (2-2-3 rotating 12-hour nights) Location: Independence, MO | Unilever Foods

JOB PURPOSE

This role exists to provide dedicated Quality leadership and real-time decision-making for the overnight shift, helping ensure every product is safe, compliant, and made to specification while keeping operations moving responsibly. You will be part of a team that believes in doing work that matters for people and the planet. As the on-shift Quality authority, you will lead the response when issues arise, guide Quality and Lab Technicians, partner with Operations, and create a clear handoff to the day-shift Quality team. Because here, we do not just hire for jobs. We invite you to be part of something bigger.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the empowered Quality decision-maker on C Shift, including product disposition, release or rework authorization, and stop/go decisions that protect consumer safety and product conformance.
• Ensure compliance with sanitation requirements, approved Quality Specifications, food safety requirements, current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), site standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Own on-shift product Hold activity, including identification, blocking, investigation, documentation, escalation, and coordination of final disposition with Operations and Planning.
• Enter and manage Holds in SAP/QualityOne, initiate E-Incidents, and follow the site Hold Process.
• Identify, document, and advance deviations and non-conformances, including SNCRs, root-cause capture, corrective and preventive action (CAPA) handoff, and appropriate escalation.
• Lead the Quality response during upset events, technology gaps, and abnormal conditions by assessing risk, containing affected product, directing rework or disposition, and partnering with Operations on root-cause analysis.
• Provide technical guidance and coverage for on-shift Quality Lab Technicians, including analytical testing, troubleshooting, method execution, results review, and follow-through.
• Act as the front-line Quality leader for the shift by setting priorities, coaching Quality Technicians, representing Quality in Tier meetings, and building accountability for Quality at every level.
• Partner with Production, shift leadership, and other functions to identify and execute process and material improvements.
• Deliver accurate, data-driven shift handovers and report shift Quality performance, open Holds, deviations, and upset-event status to Quality leadership.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Biology, Food Science, Regulatory Science, Chemistry, Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of quality-related experience, preferably in food manufacturing.
• Ability to make independent, real-time Quality decisions and lead through upset events with limited on-site salaried support.
• Strong analytical, math, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate data into action and deliver clear shift-to-shift handovers.
• Willingness and ability to work the C Shift night schedule: 7:00 PM-7:00 AM, Sun-Wed on long weeks and Sun-Tues on short weeks.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Working knowledge of HACCP plans, FSMA, USDA requirements, sanitation principles, microbiology, food safety, and quality assurance policies and regulations.
• Front-line leadership or supervisory experience, with the ability to coach and direct Quality Technicians and Lab Technicians.
• Experience with SAP, including SAP QM, EWM, QualityOne, Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; lean manufacturing, statistical analytics, dry food manufacturing equipment, and digital Quality systems are also valued.

— By applying for this vacancy, you are confirming that you have made your Line Manager aware of your application and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.

Unilever is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

Pay: The pay range for this position is $59,300 to $88,900. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.

Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee. Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.

For more information on your federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses.

The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.

Better Business. Better World. Better You. We’ve been pioneers, innovators and future-makers for over 120 years. Learn More