Sr Specialist Quality & Sensory

Mars (New); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 101,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars is seeking a Sr Specialist Quality and Sensory in Chicago (onsite) to lead quality and sensory programs ensuring products meet safety, regulatory and consumer expectations. This role serves as a technical resource across products, ingredients, suppliers and manufacturing sites.

You will develop evaluation processes, lead sensory testing, establish standards and monitoring systems, and drive CAPAs with cross‑functional teams. Travel up to 20% may be required.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering or related technical field.
• 3 years of food manufacturing experience related to food safety or Quality and food safety management systems.
• Combination of education and 5+ years demonstrated success in the field.
• Advanced degree preferred in Chemistry, Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering or related field.
• 2 years of food plant experience in a responsible position related to food safety or quality systems.
• Demonstrated leadership in leading a team and internal audit programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation and continuous improvement of quality and sensory programs.
• Develop and execute quality and sensory evaluation processes and standards.
• Coordinate sensory testing activities including descriptive analysis and consumer evaluations.
• Establish product quality standards, scorecards, and monitoring systems across sites.
• Monitor quality metrics and communicate findings to leadership.
• Identify and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Support product development, reformulation, and line extensions.
• Maintain documentation and reporting systems for quality assessments.
• Provide training and technical support on quality standards and sensory methods.
• Participate in internal audits and regulatory compliance reviews.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives for quality and efficiency.
• Influence strategic quality initiatives using data analytics.

Skills

Quality leadership

Sensory analysis

Quality systems

HACCP knowledge

GMP/GLP familiarity

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering or related technical field

Job description

Title: Sr Specialist Quality and Sensory Location: Chicago, IL Workstyle: Onsite

Mars Snacking does not sponsor visas for this role. This position is not eligible for relocation benefits 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 Sr. Specialist Quality and Sensory is responsible for the implementation, coordination, and continuous improvement of Mars Snacking quality and sensory programs to enable products consistently meet established quality, food safety, sensory, regulatory, and consumer expectations. This role serves as a key technical resource and liaison supporting the execution of quality standards across products, ingredients, suppliers, manufacturing sites, and commercialization activities and ensures that the products are safe for human consumption and meet customer, consumer and regulatory requirements to achieve business objectives. The Sr. Specialist Quality and Sensory provides technical leadership and collaboration to assure quality and sensory program requirements are effectively executed, measured, and sustained across the organization.to improve Q&FS Management System for the Mars Snacking Accelerator brands.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Lead the implementation, coordination, and continuous improvement of company quality and sensory programs to support product excellence, consumer satisfaction, and business objectives.
• Develop, maintain, and execute quality and sensory evaluation processes, methodologies, and standards to assess product and ingredient performance against established specifications.
• Coordinate sensory testing activities, including descriptive analysis, discrimination testing, consumer evaluations, and product benchmarking to support product development, commercialization, and quality assurance initiatives.
• Establish and maintain product and ingredient quality standards, specifications, scorecards, and monitoring systems to drive consistency across manufacturing locations and suppliers.
• Monitor product quality performance metrics and sensory program effectiveness, communicating findings and recommendations to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Identify, recommend, and implement corrective and preventive actions to address quality and sensory risks and improve product consistency.
• Support commercialization activities by providing quality and sensory guidance during product development, reformulation, line extensions, and process optimization initiatives.
• Maintain documentation, records, and reporting systems related to quality and sensory assessments, investigations, and improvement projects.
• Provide training, coaching, and technical support to cross-functional teams on quality standards, sensory methodologies, product evaluation techniques, and best practices.
• Participate in internal audits, compliance assessments, and quality system reviews to ensure adherence to company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
• Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing product quality, ingredient performance, sensory excellence, operational efficiency, and consumer satisfaction.
• Influence strategic quality and sensory initiatives by leveraging technical expertise, consumer insights, and data analytics to drive informed decision-making and business results.

What are we looking for?

• 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
• Demonstrated leadership of robust internal audit program
• 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
• Preferred Qualifications Demonstrated success with Food safety risk, identification and management, HACCP and prerequisite controls
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time

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. A strong focus on 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.

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 101,120.00 - USD 139,040.00

Mars is a family-owned business with more than $35 billion in global sales. We produce some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, BEN’S ORIGINAL®, and COCOAVIA®. Alongside our consumer brands, we proudly take care of half of the world’s pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses such as Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, AniCura, VCA™ and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our 140,000 Associates into taking action every day towards creating the world we want tomorrow.