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.

 

This role is responsible to conduct quality verification protocols to ensure that all finished products meet with Mars Quality and Food Safety Specifications.  Quality Technician 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. Also, this role supports the maintenance of quality knowledge and skills required in operation associates for proper execution of quality control protocols and proper data documentation and records keeping. Operational non-quality related activities are out of the scope of this role such machine operator’s reliefs.

 

Every day Mars Incorporated takes thousands of decisions that are informed by laboratory data. It is essential that Mars Associates have access to laboratory data that is accurate, reliable and timely to ensure consumer and brand protection, provide competitive advantage and enable operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Please list the most important and relevant responsibilities

1. Microbiological Analysis • Perform analyses according to the standard operating procedures in the laboratory, delivering true and accurate results in a timely manner. • Record and validate test results. • Maintain documentation of test results and testing traceability in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). • Maintain documentation and records according to Regional Lab Quality Management System. • Ensure analysis and preparation equipment are kept in optimal operating conditions. • Inform the drift of the analysis equipment through the monitoring of the control charts to the Operations Manager. • Participate in the validation of equipment and test methods. • Participate in proficiency testing schemes as part of on-going competency verification. • Perform environmental monitoring in the laboratory through the analysis of swabs and air plates according to the environmental monitoring program. • Perform the verification of incoming consumables and reference standards to ensure compliance prior to use in the laboratory. • Participate in the management of inventory, reagents and consumables to avoid stock-outs and monitor other regional laboratory needs on regular basis. • Participate in waste management and decontamination of the laboratory and waste generated from analysis. • Actively participate in the management of non-conformities, corrective actions and preventive actions, as well as the continuous improvement of Management Systems related to Safety, Quality and Environment. • Operate, verify and maintain laboratory instrumentation. • When appropriate, contribute to writing/creating documents or procedures in accordance with the laboratory’s Quality Management System and Mars Global Laboratory Quality Management System. • Work as a team player with open and honest communication while respecting confidentiality with any laboratory information. • Follow Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) requirements for the site and laboratory. 2. Media Preparation • Responsible for making microbiological media and reagents for the laboratory. • Maintain stock of prepared media to ensure no work is delayed due to lack of supplies. • Performing quality checks and documentation as required. • Decontamination of biohazardous waste and completing all associated documentation. • Maintain documentation and records according to the Regional Lab Quality Management System and the standard it aligns to. • Ensure the privacy and security of all sensitive laboratory information.

 

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.