This role is responsible to conduct quality verification protocols to ensure that all finished products meet with Mars Quality and Food Safety Specifications. Primarily focusing on Food Safe and Legal conformance, these Quality Conformance associates enable conformance to specification through the verification of execution in quality control protocols and/or monitoring of sampling and testing plans applied to packaging and product. This resource also enables the reduction of food safety incidents and non-quality costs by the immediate escalation of any out of conformance condition detected during verification activities.

• Responsible for shift-based quality verification or monitoring activities for packaging and finished product (based    on the site size this might be extended to raw materials)

• Initiate PRIMPS and Nonconformance’s in Nexus.

  For smaller sites and legacy Wrigley sites with no supply sample processors collect raw and/or finished goods samples to support a variety of activities such as (but not limited to) the Daily Connection Point Quality Review meeting, micro verification program, product library and hold dispositioning.

• Escalate to process areas any out of conformance incidents and collaborate in trouble shooting providing all information needed on product quality attributes until process and product are back in control.
• Identify and isolate out-of-specification materials, including placing product on hold, initiating non-conformances  and escalating to the correct associates. They are expected to collaborate closely with Material Handling area to ensure all non-conforming products are captured in house.
• Performs GDSN audits as required for each new item at the site.
• Verifies calibration program activities to ensure overall QMP compliance.
• Verifies that procedures to complete quality related documentation are properly executed and information in the records is complete.
• Quality conformance associates are required to be part of the HACCP team and Internal Auditors group to support  quality and food safety continuous improvement program and CAPA’s execution.
• Support operations with locating metal in confirmed rejects and trending the number of rejects across the shift to ensure proper escalation
• Ensures that only nexus approved documents are used in the packaging line for quality related activities and archives quality related records for further analysis or auditing purposes.
• Observe and coach proper entry of weights into the WINSPC system by line operator.
• Provides coaching and training to associates to ensure proper QMP understanding, execution of quality control protocols, data accuracy and proper record management control.
• This role partners with Supply Operations and the Q&FS team to drive continual improvement of food safety programs through robust risk assessments, clear procedures and work instructions, trending and reporting.
• Support operations thru KAPPA Trained evaluation of finished product attributes and product defects per shift escalation
• Support the GMP Lead/Sanitation Manager in the management and verification of the Master Sanitation Schedule to ensure overall effectiveness of the GMP program.
• Provides quality related information to operators to enable quality control activities.
• Provide support in incident investigations and customer/consumer complaints to enable proper risk assessment and issue resolution.
• Supports the maintenance of quality knowledge and skills required in operation associates for proper execution of quality control protocols, proper data documentation and record keeping.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required. Internship in quality and food safety in a manufacturing environment
• Experience within a manufacturing environment and/or previous quality control experience in a food-related industry. 
• Excellent written and oral communications skills are essential as these associates often serve as a coordinator of information between functions and across levels of the business
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds repetitively
• Must be able to work at elevated heights
• Must be able to adapt to temperature and environmental extremes from hot to
• Computer/Technical Savvy
• Works proficiently in: Excel, Nexus, Win SPC, Microsoft Office, Outlook, etc.
• Ability to establish good peer relationships.
• 2-3 years of work experience in a food manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities in leading/influencing others

Preferred Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in a manufacturing site managing quality and food safety management systems responsible position related to food safety or quality and food safety management system
• BS degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering, Chemistry
• Experience with practical applied microbiology in factory environments
• Ability to motivate and engage superiors, peers, indirect associates.
• Advanced understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Systems (HACCP)

Knowledge of food microbiology, food safety, manufacturing processes and food laws

Knowledge / Experience

Food safety risk, identification and management, HACCP and prerequisite controls

Knowledge of GMP, food allergens, pest control, sanitation, and food safety regulations

Strong people and organizational development skills.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Forward thinking, self-directed, capable of making independent actions.

Proven negotiation and problem-solving skills with all levels of staff including senior management

Ability to travel 5% of the time

About Mars:
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®, 5â„¢, 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 Hospitalsâ„¢, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, AniCura, VCAâ„¢ and Pet Partnersâ„¢. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our 130,000 Associates into taking action every day towards creating the world we want tomorrow.

Disclaimer:
Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.​​​​​​​

Note to Search Firms/Agencies:
Mars, Incorporated and its subsidiaries and affiliates (Mars) do not compensate search firms for unsolicited assistance unless they have a written search agreement with Mars and the requisition is position-specific.  Any resumes, curriculum vitae, and other unsolicited assistance from search firms that do not have a written search agreement or position-specific requisition submitted to any Associate of Mars will be deemed the sole property of Mars and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Mars.