Purpose of Role

The primary purpose of this role is to ensure that the quality standards for raws and packs, the manufacturing process, finished goods and holds management are maintained on their respective shift by sampling, monitoring and auditing each of these areas.

The secondary purpose of this role is to support the shift manager with other duties as needed.

Principal Accountabilities

• Make on-line risk decisions regarding pre/post process assessments and responds to quality issues such as filing problems, commodity and packaging material problems.  Enters packaging/commodity complaints and holds into the vendor assurance database.
• Responds and makes Quality (non-food safety) decisions.
• Enters finished product holds into ARK Hold Management System
• Performs the product assessment panel on the weekends
• Designs and delivers training in all areas of quality to shift associates
• Performs in plant sampling, testing, and auditing on shift
• Provides troubleshooting expertise and support to shift managers across the site
• Collects samples for materials analysis and the evaluation of holds
• Steward of protecting the integrity of the PRIMP, CAPA and HACCP program
• Participates on LEAN and Continuous Improvement Teams
• This position and all site associates are responsible for quality and food safety
• This position monitors quality and food safety control points and make corrective actions to the process if needed.
• Know and understand the site’s CCP’s and report any findings of deficiencies to site’s quality manager or designee

Critical Functional Competencies

• Brings Our Culture to Life
• Develops a High Performing Organization
• Fosters Associate Engagement and Well-Being

Key Functional Skills/Knowledge

• Accurate and quick decision making skills
• Well-developed computer program skills:  Lotus Notes, Microsoft Office, SPEDE, Mars Supply Quality Management (MSQM), ARK Holds Data Base, Document Control Data Base, Continuous Improvement and Corrective Action Process
• In-depth knowledge of all areas of the factory
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements for product sterilization and good manufacturing practices
• Interpersonal skills that influence and enlist the help of others in managing product quality
• Ability to respond/react in a fast paced, changing environment
• Know how to use all lab equipment to analyze product variables
• Well developed sense of smell and sight
• Subject matter expert for site on quality standards during off shifts
• Decision making
• Solid written and verbal communications skills to plant floor and the management team
• Food Manufacturing experience and knowledge of food safety
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Obtain certification from the FDA Better Processing Control course
• Formal Quality/Food Science education or relevant experience
• Forklift certification
• Mars sterilization training
• Mars filling and sealing training
• Windows Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Lotus Notes training
• Mars Core Curriculum classes
• R&D College

Preferred Qualifications

• Food manufacturing experience and knowledge of food safety.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Statistical Process Control
• Forklift certified.
• A wide variety of plant experiences in multiple areas (Inventory, Processing, Filling, Retort and Packaging)
• A minimum of 6 months of Mars Factory Experience OR 2 years of Non-Mars Factory Experience OR 1 year of previous Quality Experience

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.