Specialist, QFS Sanitation Process

Mars; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 79,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars is seeking a Specialist, QFS Sanitation Process, to set sanitation standards across Accelerator's sites and co-manufacturers. You will provide technical governance, drive continuous improvement, and strengthen food safety and quality, while shaping sanitation strategy for a growing business.

The role requires 5+ years in food manufacturing with sanitation expertise, HACCP, and auditing experience. Travel ~50%. Located in Chicago, IL or Battle Creek, MI with competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or related field.
• 5+ years in food manufacturing with sanitation, food safety, quality, or hygienic design responsibilities.
• Hands-on experience with sanitation programs, cleaning processes, and manufacturing sanitation practices.
• Strong understanding of sanitation chemicals and safe handling.

Responsibilities

• Support deployment of the Mars Snacking Sanitation Procedure across Accelerator internal manufacturing sites and external co-manufacturers.
• Set and govern divisional GMP, sanitation, and hygienic design requirements and establish network-wide sanitation effectiveness KPIs.
• Provide oversight and technical governance for environmental control systems, including water, air, and pest control, to reduce environmental hazards.
• Set divisional pest control program expectations and oversee provider performance, trend reviews, and corrective action follow-up.
• Develop and maintain divisional Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) frameworks and templates.
• Develop and maintain divisional Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP) templates and provide guidance to sites on implementation.
• Partner with divisional microbiology SMEs to evaluate and optimize pathogen environmental monitoring programs and corrective actions.
• Set requirements for approved sanitation chemical programs and serve as the divisional technical liaison with sanitation providers, consultants, and chemical suppliers.
• Lead sanitation-focused continuous improvement initiatives that enhance effectiveness, improve efficiency, reduce water usage, optimize production cycles, and deliver cost savings without compromising quality.
• Serve as the divisional technical escalation point for sanitation-related investigations, root cause analysis, and hygienic restoration planning.
• Develop and deliver sanitation and hygienic design training programs across Accelerator business units and manufacturing sites.
• Support high-risk and UHBI supplier audits requiring sanitation expertise.
• Represent Accelerator within the Mars Snacking Sanitation Community of Practice (COP) and help influence sanitation strategy and best practices across the segment.

Skills

Sanitation programs

Hygienic design

Environmental monitoring

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

BSc in Food Science or related

Tools

Auditing

Sanitation chemicals handling

Job description

Specialist, QFS Sanitation Process

Accelerator, a global Division of Mars Snacking, is on the front line of unlocking growth across high-potential categories and brands to fuel what's next for Snacking. It's home to both emerging and enduring brands, including KIND, TRÜ FRÜ, NATURE'S BAKERY, RXBAR, EGGO, POP-TARTS and RICE KRISPIE TREATS. Combining the scale of Mars with the agility of a start-up, our Division has the ambition to accelerate the future of snacking by delivering products consumers love today, discovering category-shaping innovations for tomorrow and developing entrepreneurial teams whose impact will last for generations.

Job Description

Accelerator, a global Division of Mars Snacking, is on the front line of unlocking growth across high-potential categories and brands to fuel what's next for Snacking. It's home to both emerging and enduring brands, including KIND, TRÜ FRÜ, NATURE'S BAKERY, RXBAR, EGGO, POP-TARTS and RICE KRISPIE TREATS. Combining the scale of Mars with the agility of a start-up, our Division has the ambition to accelerate the future of snacking by delivering products consumers love today, discovering category-shaping innovations for tomorrow and developing entrepreneurial teams whose impact will last for generations.

We're looking for passionate talent who dare to dream big, agile collaborators who talk straight and decide fast, and driven performers with a growth mindset. We're proudly part of Mars while also building something boldly different. If this inspires and energizes you, you've found the right place where you can do cool things with fun people for one of the biggest snacking companies in the world!

The Specialist, QFS Sanitation Process is responsible for setting sanitation and hygienic design standards across Accelerator's network of internal manufacturing sites and external co-manufacturers. In this enterprise-wide role, you will provide technical expertise, governance, and continuous improvement leadership to strengthen food safety, quality, compliance, and operational excellence while helping shape sanitation strategy across a growing and dynamic business.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing with sanitation, food safety, quality, or hygienic design responsibilities.
• Hands-on experience with sanitation programs, cleaning processes, and manufacturing sanitation practices.
• Strong understanding of sanitation chemicals and cleaning agents, including application, verification, and safe handling.
• HACCP certification required.
• Certification and experience auditing manufacturing processes required.
• Experience developing standards, guidance, and specifications to support implementation across manufacturing sites.
• Knowledge of sanitary design principles, environmental monitoring programs, sanitation validation, root cause analysis, and incident management.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and influencing skills.
• Ability to travel approximately 50%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certification in Sanitation and Hygienic Design (e.g., EHEDG, 3-A).
• Professional proficiency or fluency in Spanish.
• Experience supporting co-manufacturers and multi-site manufacturing networks.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Support deployment of the Mars Snacking Sanitation Procedure across Accelerator internal manufacturing sites and external co-manufacturers.
• Set and govern divisional GMP, sanitation, and hygienic design requirements and establish network-wide sanitation effectiveness KPIs.
• Provide oversight and technical governance for environmental control systems, including water, air, and pest control, to reduce environmental hazards.
• Set divisional pest control program expectations and oversee provider performance, trend reviews, and corrective action follow-up.
• Develop and maintain divisional Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) frameworks and templates.
• Develop and maintain divisional Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP) templates and provide guidance to sites on implementation.
• Partner with divisional microbiology SMEs to evaluate and optimize pathogen environmental monitoring programs and corrective actions.
• Set requirements for approved sanitation chemical programs and serve as the divisional technical liaison with sanitation providers, consultants, and chemical suppliers.
• Lead sanitation-focused continuous improvement initiatives that enhance effectiveness, improve efficiency, reduce water usage, optimize production cycles, and deliver cost savings without compromising quality.
• Serve as the divisional technical escalation point for sanitation-related investigations, root cause analysis, and hygienic restoration planning.
• Develop and deliver sanitation and hygienic design training programs across Accelerator business units and manufacturing sites.
• Support high-risk and Ultra High Business Impact (UHBI) supplier audits requiring sanitation expertise.
• Represent Accelerator within the Mars Snacking Sanitation Community of Practice (COP) and help influence sanitation strategy and best practices across the segment.

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.

Additional Role Details

• Location: Chicago, IL or Battle Creek, MI
• Travel: Approximately 50%, including occasional international travel and support outside standard business hours to align with site sanitation windows
• Strong verbal and written English communication skills required
• Spanish language proficiency highly desirable

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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. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting: USD 79,280.00 - USD 109,010.00.