Senior Food Safety & Lab Tech - New Tech & Quality

Jobtailor; Illinois; On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars, Incorporated is seeking a seasoned Laboratory Quality / Food Safety leader to manage the network of third-party labs and to optimize testing practices across internal and external sites. The role focuses on deploying new safety technologies, advancing microbiological expertise, and supporting audits of high-risk suppliers.

The candidate will drive SQA collaborations on MRAs and IVT, lead investigations, and ensure compliance with corporate standards, with travel around 30% to labs and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in food manufacturing and laboratory quality systems.
• HACCP or related certification required.
• Certification and experience auditing operational processes required.
• Advanced knowledge of microbiological and allergen hazards.
• Knowledge of analytical methods and laboratory quality systems, such as ISO 17025.
• Proven experience managing projects from pilot trials and data validation through deployment of new technologies in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience auditing operational processes, particularly for high-risk ingredient suppliers.
• Strong understanding of Material Risk Assessments (MRA) and Inbound Verification Testing (IVT).
• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy.
• Ability to build relationships with SQA, R&D, and external lab partners.
• Based in Chicago, IL or Battle Creek, MI.
• Ability to travel approximately 30% to labs and manufacturing sites.

Responsibilities

• Manage the network of third-party laboratories.
• Optimize testing practices and serve as the subject matter expert for internal laboratories.
• Validate and deploy new food safety technologies and analytical methods, including CleanWorks and Gene-UP.
• Provide microbiological expertise and support SQA during audits of high-risk supplier manufacturing sites.
• Partner with SQA on Material Risk Assessments, ingredient specifications, and Inbound Verification Testing.
• Provide PRIMP support by managing escalated testing and leading laboratory investigations.
• Support quality risk management activities and ensure risks are documented and tracked in the Archer platform.
• Oversee trending of finished product test data.
• Lead quarterly data reviews and provide optimization recommendations.
• Develop and deliver training to build food safety and laboratory capability among internal teams.
• Serve as the authorized witness for disposition of food safety-critical materials.
• Ensure compliance with Mars corporate standards.

Skills

Food Safety Technologies

Microbiology

Analytical Methods

ISO 17025

Project Management

Data Validation

Quality Risk Management

Laboratory Investigations

Auditing Operational Processes

Relationship Building

Autonomy

Training Development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or closely related field

Tools

CleanWorks

Gene-UP

Archer Platform

Job description

Mars, Incorporated is seeking a seasoned Laboratory Quality / Food Safety leader to manage the network of third-party labs and to optimize testing practices across internal and external sites. The role focuses on deploying new safety technologies, advancing microbiological expertise, and supporting audits of high-risk suppliers.

The candidate will drive SQA collaborations on MRAs and IVT, lead investigations, and ensure compliance with corporate standards, with travel around 30% to labs and