SQA Technologist - New Supplier Qualification Category Specialist - Remote

The primary role of the New Supplier Qualification Category Specialist is to efficiently execute the qualification of new suppliers into the Petcare NA team. The objective is to improve material quality, food safety and reliability to enable the sourcing strategy, mitigate recall risk, and most importantly ensure that we are providing the best Quality of products to our consumers as new suppliers are onboarded. This individual will be a key interface between supply and our suppliers from a quality standpoint. This role will engage with multiple functions such as Commercial, Research & Development, and Manufacturing to assure all new suppliers are capable of meeting Mars Standards and providing high quality materials to the business.  This role will travel to supplier manufacturing sites to perform supplier audits, manage the overall NSQ process and partner with key stakeholders to optimize the NSQ process.

This individual is responsible for delivering exceptional business results in the following key areas:

• Driving the new supplier qualification process to meet quality standards to support cost savings, business continuity, and reducing single sourced materials

• Utilize category expertise to drive cross functional collaboration with key stakeholders to optimize the NSQ process

The role operates in a pet friendly, open office environment supporting natural pet nutrition and making the world a better place for Pets.

What are we looking for?

• At least two years Commercial or Quality experience in the Food Industry is preferred. 

• The physical capability of working in a manufacturing environment is essential.

• Computer skills sufficient to use data input and retrieval systems, spreadsheets, word processors and formulation applications are required.

• Travel Required:  30-40%

• A minimum of a bachelor's degree is required with an emphasis in food science or animal science preferred

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Provide expertise in the processing of materials and ingredients such as Pre-blends/Pre-mixes, Proteins, Fats, Grains, Vegetables  ingredients.

• Assessment and confirmation of a supplier’s capability to meet Mars standards of supply

• Drive robust problem solving that will lead to sustainable process improvements in the NSQ process

• Support the supplier to address gaps in Q&FS capability identified in audits.

• Serve as a functional expert for Mars quality standards as they relate to the supplier qualification process

•  Effectively manage relationships with sourcing managers, MRA/PRA teams and suppliers.

• Advanced understanding of quality systems and food safety management programs is critical.  Examples: Good Manufacturing Practice, food microbiology, auditing, Hazard analysis and Control, Statistics for sampling and process control

• Familiarity with food laws and regulatory guidelines

• Excellent auditing and risk management skills.

• Excellent knowledge of pet food ingredient processing.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 like-minded 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.

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.