Sr Specialist Food Safety, Quality Labs & New Technology

Job Description:

About Mars Snacking Accelerator

Accelerator, a global Division of Mars Snacking, is on the front line of unlocking growth across high-potential categories and brands to fuel what’s next for Snacking. It’s home to both emerging and enduring brands, including KIND, TRÜ FRÜ, NATURE’S BAKERY, RXBAR, EGGO, POP-TARTS, and RICE KRISPIES TREATS . Combining the scale of Mars with the agility of a start-up, our Division has the ambition to accelerate the future of snacking by delivering products consumers love today, discovering category-shaping innovations for tomorrow, and developing entrepreneurial teams whose impact will last for generations.

We’re looking for passionate talent who dare to dream big, agile collaborators who talk straight and decide fast, and driven performers with a growth mindset. We’re proudly part of Mars, while also building something boldly different. If this inspires and energizes you, you’ve found the right place where you can do cool things with fun people for one of the biggest snacking companies in the world!

The Opportunity: Why This Role Matters

This is a project-based, 24-month assignment for a food safety expert who thrives on driving change and innovation. We're looking for a specialist to lead critical laboratory and technology programs aimed at making our products safer, optimizing our processes, and reducing verification costs. In this role, you will be the bridge between cutting-edge technology and our manufacturing reality, taking new analytical methods from the lab bench and deploying them in the field. You'll also partner directly with our Supply Quality Assurance (SQA) team, acting as a microbiological expert for high-risk ingredient suppliers and serving as the authorized witness for critical food safety dispositions. This is your chance to make a significant, measurable impact on how we ensure quality across the Accelerator division.

What You’ll Do (Key Responsibilities)

• Lead Laboratory & Technology Programs: Manage the network of third-party labs, optimize testing practices, and serve as the SME for internal laboratories. Validate and deploy new food safety technologies and analytical methods (e.g., CleanWorks, Gene-UP).

• Drive Supplier Quality: Provide microbiological expertise and support SQA during audits of high-risk supplier manufacturing sites. Partner with SQA on Material Risk Assessments (MRA), ingredient specifications, and Inbound Verification Testing (IVT).

• Manage Quality Incidents & Risk: Provide PRIMP support by managing escalated testing and leading laboratory investigations. Support the division's quality risk management activities, ensuring risks are documented and tracked in the Archer platform.

• Oversee Data & Training: Oversee the trending of finished product test data, leading quarterly reviews to provide recommendations for optimization. Develop and deliver training to build food safety and laboratory capability among internal teams.

• Act as Authorized Witness: Serve as the authorized witness for the disposition of food safety-critical materials, ensuring compliance with Mars corporate standards.

What We’re Looking For

• A Lab & Technology Expert: Advanced knowledge of microbiological and allergen hazards, analytical methods, and laboratory quality systems (e.g., ISO 17025).

• A Project-Driven Doer: Proven experience managing projects, from pilot trials and data validation to the full deployment of new technologies in a manufacturing environment.

• A Supplier Quality Partner: Experience auditing operational processes, particularly for high-risk ingredient suppliers, and a strong understanding of MRAs and IVT.

• An Independent Collaborator: The ability to work with a high degree of autonomy while building strong relationships with SQA, R&D, and external lab partners to get things done.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or a closely related field.

• Experience: 7+ years of experience in food manufacturing and laboratory quality systems.

• Certifications: HACCP or related certification required. Certification and experience auditing operational processes required.

• Location: Based in Chicago, IL or Battle Creek, MI.

• Travel: Ability to travel (~30%) to labs and manufacturing sites.

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The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the below range, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, if eligible, including variable pay & general allowances (depending on the position and employee’s work schedule).  Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable policies and plans then in effect, and depending on the position offered and the employee’s work schedule (i.e., part-time schedule), eligible employees are automatically enrolled in a 401(k) plan, as well as participate in Company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance plans for the employee and the employee’s eligible dependents, and may be eligible to take up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave. Employees will also receive the following paid-time off (which may be prorated based on start date and the employee’s work schedule): 120 hours of vacation per year, paid sick time for eligible Associates of 100% pay continuation for a maximum of 40 hours per calendar year, and 12 paid holidays throughout the calendar year that include both fixed and flexible holidays.