External Manufacturing Technologist

Job description

A mutually rewarding experience.

Work. Realize your ambitions. And realize there’s more to being in business than just making a profit. That’s the Mars philosophy. And the opportunity we offer every one of our Associates. An opportunity to take what you do and make it mean more for you, for those around you and for the planet. What you get here is challenging, interesting work. You get the tools you need to do a great job and you get to have the best possible people on your side to help you do it. And at the same time as getting to find ways to do business better today than we did it yesterday and driving a great career, you also get to build a more enlightened business and drive sustainability.

Because it’s never just about a single person, a single project or a single brand. It’s about how you can grab everything that’s within your reach here and use it to pursue mutual, long-term gain. It’s about having ideas. And ideals. Being prepared to risk failure because the promise of success means we’ll all be a little better off. It’s that mix of integrity and ambition that makes Mars such a special place to work. And why working here is always about more than just a job.

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With almost $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN’S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, 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 its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.

Mars Petcare is Currently Seeking an External Manufacturing Technologist

Remote Position within the United States

Position Overview
This position is the site Q&FS resource for External Manufacturing to assure the on-going production of high quality and safe food products that comply with product design and meet or exceed customer and consumer expectations. This position is responsible for overseeing/auditing Co-manufacturers and Co-packers to determine if they are capable of producing product to Mars EMQM Standards. Using the results of these audits, this role will drive implementation of Q&FS programs and drive continuous improvement of the Quality & Food Safety systems at the External Manufacturers.

Key Responsibilities

• Audits potential External Manufacturers with results being used by the President of Mars Petcare US and/or the Office of President in the External Manufacturing approval process.
• Audits current External Manufacturers per EMQM requirements.
• In partnership with External Manufacturers and Mars Sourcing associates, implement quality systems to ensure compliance to EMQM standard.
• Provides support and direction to external manufacturing locations to drive continuous improvement of all quality systems.
• Assures that all products and packs produced at the External Manufacturers are safe for consumption and conform to the intended product design. Results recording, data review, data collection, trending of data. This includes being responsible for change management and process improvement as the R&D Quality Champion.
• In partnership with the Product, Processing and Packaging Development teams, supports the implementation of all new products, line extensions and continuous quality improvement projects including the effective execution of line trials and execution of process capability evaluations.
• Assures the effectiveness of the corrective and preventative action process within the framework of the Quality Management Program, External Manufacturing Quality Management
• Represent the "owners" of the Mars business at the site with respect to the quality and safety of products and the food processing environment. This responsibility includes participation in the management of crises involving products, and the on-going interpretation and reporting of information from our customers and consumers.
• Drive year on year ten percent reduction in consumer complaints from each external manufacturing site.
• Own the management of quality and food safety incidents occurring at the site or along the subsequent supply chain.
• Lead the twice per year performance review of each site, including the development of inputs into that meeting with various stakeholders.
• Ensure adherence to the Mars Global Quality and Food Safety Standards including but not limited to HACCP, PRIMP, QMP, MQM and EMQM

Qualifications
Minimum
• A BS degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Engineering, related technical field or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in a technical area such as Quality assurance, R&D product development, laboratory management quality systems, or food process engineering.
• Familiarity with - HACCP/HARPC/food safety management, FSSC 22200 or other Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) schemes, Regulatory and food law including AAFCO Guidelines, Problem Solving, Microbiology, Change Management, Pest Control Management
• An advanced understanding of quality systems with an emphasis on auditing of suppliers/vendors and food safety programs.
• Demonstrated proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Preferred
• 5 years of experience in a technical area such as Quality assurance, R&D product development, laboratory management quality systems, or food process engineering.
• Lead Auditor Certification through a recognized Professional Organization

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.

Nearest Major Market: Nashville
Job Segment: Engineer, Quality Assurance, Process Engineer, R&D Engineer, Business Process, Engineering, Technology, Management