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.

Associate Scientist Value Stream Lead// Quality & Food Safety Associate Scientist – Cleveland, TN

Job Purpose

This position is the primary Quality and Food Safety (Q&FS) partner (‘the face of R&D’) for the Value Stream in providing technical leadership in the implementation and, continuous improvement of the Quality Management Process (QMP) to enable the reliable delivery of products that meet all external legislative requirements and all internal Quality & Food Safety global standards.  

What are we looking for?

Minimum Qualifications

• BS degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering, Chemistry or related technical field and internship in quality and food safety in a manufacturing environment, and or combination of education and 5+ years of demonstrated success in manufacturing/ quality experience.
• Knowledge of and experience with Food Safety risk, identification and management, HACCP and prerequisite controls, GLP’s
• Knowledge of and experience with ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems
• Knowledge of GFSI Quality Systems such as SQF, BRC, FSSC22000 or ISO9000
• Knowledge of GMP, food allergens, pest control, sanitation, and food safety regulations
• Ability to work in fast paced team environment
• Ability to travel 10% of the time

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering, Chemistry or related technical field and  2-3 years of experience in different quality related areas such as raw materials, distribution, manufacturing or 2-3 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.

What would be your key responsibilities?

• Implement QMP related standards into the value stream and drive to full compliance.
• Manage the food safety program within the value stream including achieving compliance with any required external standards (e.g. FSC 22000, GFSI, FSMA)
• Responsible for the quality agenda in the value stream (Identify key priorities related to Q&FS KPI’s and align strategy and resource allocation within the Value Stream, monitor and report progress against agreed objectives).
• HACCP lead for the value stream.
• Provide leadership in the implementation of the GMP/GHP and CCP/OPRP programs within the value stream to drive compliance.
• Coordinate QMP in the value stream (CAPAs, internal audits, continuous improvement, document creation & control)
• Key interface for Q&FS related activities within the value stream.
• Technical input to Value Stream related activities (new equipment installation, etc.).
• Partner with key stakeholder groups to manage line trial risk assessment and exception testing.
• Responsible for ensuring visual quality materials to perform quality inspections are current for the value stream. 
• First line Q&FS incident management including handling coordination with outside stakeholders when needed – incident coordinator and track & report on incident closure.
• Assist in the root cause analysis investigation of incidents
• Follow up consumer & customer complaints within value stream.
• Q&FS lead in value stream operational meetings and providing inputs required to drive the quality agenda forward.
• Communicate value stream initiatives within the R&D community.
• Development and roll out of food safety training programs as needed to build technical and functional capability in the supply team to implement and sustain compliance to Q&FS Standards.

What can you expect from Mars?

• The opportunity to learn, develop and take charge of your own career.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package. 
• To be respected and valued.
• The Five Principles at the center of every decision we make.
• The opportunity to work cross functionally, add value and impact a better world for generations to come.

If you’re passionate about our brands, a great strategic thinking, deliver high quality decision and have a high drive for results, then we want to hear from you. Click ‘apply’ in this position.

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.