Sr. Q&FS Area Specialist

KIND; High Point (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Flexible paid time off

Health, dental & vision insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness program

Casual dress code

Job summary

KIND is seeking a Site Quality & Food Safety Leader to guide incident investigations, risk analysis, and continuous improvement across the site. You will implement Global Quality and Food Safety standards, manage HACCP and Food Safety plans, and lead training on HACCP and basic food safety.

You will collaborate with engineering, R&D, and operations to ensure product quality conformance, drive root-cause analysis, and mentor associates in QFS practices across the network.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering or related technical field.
• 3 years of food manufacturing experience in a role related to food safety or quality and food safety management systems, or 5+ years in a related field.
• Advanced degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead incident investigations and risk analysis with governance to drive corrective actions.
• Champion Global Quality and Food Safety Standards and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee HACCP, Food Safety Plan, environmental programs, allergens, sanitation, and preventive controls at the site.

Skills

Food safety management

Root cause analysis

Leadership

Quality tools & statistics

Cross-functional collaboration

GMP/GLP knowledge

Education

BS in Chemistry, Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

GFSI auditing (SQF/BRC/ISO)

Job description

What You’ll Do

• Act as back up to the Quality and Food Safety Manager, provides leadership and technical expertise during incident investigation and risk analysis as well as provides recommendations for appropriate resolution
• Lead the implementation of Global Quality and Food Safety Standards to ensure compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory food safety requirements
• Lead the site quality and food safety management review process to identify improvement opportunities for quality and food safety management systems
• Development and roll out of food safety training to the site and support functions (HACCP, Basic Food Safety)
• Provide governance to the Microbiological verification, environmental program, Mycotoxin, Allergens, Cleaning and Sanitation programs
• Provide governance to HACCP and Food Safety Plan within the site, provide input to the Value stream Food safety. Food Safety Team Leader at the site. Manage validation of CCP/OPRP preventive controls programs within the site
• Responsible for providing site input to the Material Risk Assessments (MRA’s)
• Lead root cause analysis investigation of food safety incidents and effective implementation of corrective/preventive actions
• Lead Q&FS input for engineering related projects within the site and lead Commissioning, Validation and start up Handover process for Q&FS.
• Lead Q&FS continuous improvement projects for the site to improve the brand experience.
• Lead in combination with Q&FS Manager product related incident management process and provide recommendation on product disposition
• Lead Communities of practice to drive standardization, and creation of best practices
• Coach and develop associates in Q&FS team within the site or across the network.

How You’ll Do It

• Lead gap assessment to the Mars Global standards and regulatory requirements, lead the Food Defense Plan and continuous improvement of quality systems and to ensure compliance
• Partners with supply Make and Engineering, R&D and other key stakeholders to implement changes, new process or new products in a safe manner and implement product quality conformance system
• Responsible for providing outlining Q&FS requirements on engineering projects, developing all the Q&FS documents, SOP’s, delivering training for associates as required for the start of new lines or processes at the site and creating QFS best practices
• Lead continuous improvement of QFS system and product quality and conformance to specification through analysis of data and evaluation of trends through use of statistical analysis for a given brand for region
• Builds knowledge of the company, processes and customers. Understands key business drivers and uses this understanding to accomplish own work.
• Builds a network of cross functional partners to accomplish business objectives
• Provides guidance and direction to others

Minimum Qualifications

• BS degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering or related technical field
• 3 years of food manufacturing experience in a responsible position related to food safety or Quality and food safety management system and or a combination of education and 5+ years demonstrated success in relevant field

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering or related technical field
• 2 years of food plant experience in a responsible position related to food safety or Quality and food safety management system
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities in leading a team

What You’ll Bring To KIND

• Demonstrated success with Food safety risk, identification and management, HACCP and prerequisite controls
• Proven application of quality tools, food science, and statistics
• Demonstrated capability to manage multiple priorities
• Proven leadership within a team and demonstrated ability to lead change
• Exhibited understanding of GMP, GLP, food allergens, pest control, sanitation, and food safety regulations
• Expert knowledge of Food Safety Standards, procedures and legislation
• Ability to work effectively in cross functional teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Strong presentation Skills
• Demonstrated success with Food safety risk, identification and management, HACCP and prerequisite controls
• Experienced auditor in GFSI Quality Systems such as SQF, BRC, FSSC22000 or ISO9000 preferable.
• Ability to travel 10% of the time

Salary Range

Certain states and localities require employers to post a reasonable estimate of salary range. A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range for this position is $85,000 to $100,000. Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors, including location, experience, skill set, performance, licensure and certification, and business needs. The range for this position in other geographic locations may differ. KIND compensation includes target bonuses.

What We Offer

• 401(K) or RRSP's with generous company match
• Flexible Paid Time Off. Choose what works best for you, including summer hours. Paid parental leave.
• Excellent health, dental & vision insurance, with options to fit you & your family’s needs
• Company paid disability and life insurance to provide income protection
• Your health is important! Our wellness strategy focuses on mental and physical wellbeing via programs like Employee Assistance Program, a wellness subsidy, healthy food options and gym facility in HQ.
• Casual office dress code- feel free to wear your KIND gear
• Stock up on your favorite KIND bars to share with your family & friends, through a quarterly voucher
• Training & tuition reimbursement program, because continuing to learn matters and we support your development
• A dynamic, ambitious, fun and KIND work environment
• Charitable Donation Matching: KIND matches your charitable donations up to $1000 annually through our donation matching portal.

EEO

At KIND, we are committed to an inclusive workplace where diversity in all its forms is championed. KIND is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, and we are an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you require special accommodation, please let us know.

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