SQA Lead - Vegetables & Grains

Mars; Creve Coeur (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars is seeking a Supplier Quality Assurance Lead to assure fit-for-purpose raw materials for regional manufacturing. You will drive supplier audits, implement corrective actions, and partner with Commercial, Operations and R&D to ensure product safety and quality.

The role requires HACCP and QA/auditing expertise, with travel up to 50% and a BS in a science/engineering field. You will influence supplier performance and lead continuous improvement across the supply chain.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in food manufacturing quality with strong food safety and auditing knowledge.
• Experience leading QA/FS management system audits.
• Training in continuous improvement and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Ensure quality and safety of raw materials and products for regional sites.
• Lead supplier audits and drive corrective action plans.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Operations and R&D teams.
• Manage supplier performance metrics and risk assessments.
• Identify and execute continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support material risk assessments and supplier development.
• Travel up to 50% to supplier sites and manufacturing locations.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and quality standards.

Skills

Quality auditing

Food safety

HACCP

Continuous improvement

Project management

Data management

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Food Science/Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

As a

Job Description

As a Supplier Quality Assurance Lead at Mars, you will assure “fit for purpose” 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/pet/product safety, continuous quality improvement, and performing supplier site visits and audits. The role requires functional experience in auditing, food materials, and food production activities. The Supplier Quality Assurance Lead interacts extensively with the Commercial buying and sourcing teams, manufacturing, product, packaging and commodity development functions with a special emphasis on a select set of commodity categories from High to Low risk levels to ensure we provide nothing but the best quality products to our consumers.

What are we looking for?

• 2 or more years of experience working food manufacturing quality, with sound understanding of food safety, HAACP, and auditing.
• Top Requirement- Must Have- Experience leading Q&FS Management System audits.
• Training and experience in continuous improvement and problem solving.
• Competencies in planning/project management, managing and measuring work, managing data through internal systems
• Ability to travel minimum 50% of the time
• Strong Requirement -Must Have- Strong understanding of supply chain with the physical capability of working in a manufacturing environment when necessary.
• Minimum of a BS degree (Preferably in Chemistry, Food Science, Engineering, or a related field).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Assures quality and consistency of raw materials, primarily within the Vegetables & Grains category. Knowledge of and experience in mycotoxin management is preferred.
• Provides inputs to material risk assessments and creates/drives supplier improvement plans.
• Works in partnership with Commercial Buying/Operations Teams and Site-based Quality Services to support supplier non-conformance investigations.
• 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 stakeholders in Commercial, R&D and Supply.
• Performs supplier performance reviews and manages supplier performance metrics.
• Drives a culture that is rooted heavily in continuous improvement principles and applying problem solving methodology across the manufacturing network.
• Ensures product conformance to specifications and requirements.

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.