Senior QbD Specialist - Lead Food Safety & Innovation

Foods you love. Brands you trust. And a career that empowers you to grow. At Nestlé USA, we’re all working towards the same goal – to delight and deliver for our consumers. With a rich portfolio of beloved brands, including DiGiorno, Toll House, and Coffee mate, in 97% of U.S. households, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to be there for every moment in our consumers’ lives. Joining Nestlé means becoming part of an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates your achievements. No matter where you work within the organization, you are empowered to challenge the status quo, embrace risk-taking, and pioneer new ideas. Our supportive and collaborative environment encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning so that everyone can grow and thrive. This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. **This is a hybrid position that is onsite Tuesday-Thursday and can be located in Arlington, VA, Solon, OH, or Seattle, WA**

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Specialist, Quality by Design (QxD), serves as the guardian of Quality by Design principles, ensuring compliance with quality requirements and deliverables across the Idea to Launch (I2L) process and the Nestlé Management System (NMS). This role supports Nestlé USA businesses including Frozen, Coffee & Beverage, and Global Culinary Kitchen, focusing on business led Innovation and Renovation projects. As the quality representative for business led product and process development projects, this position is responsible for assessing quality and food safety risk, establishing minimum quality and food safety controls, and ensuring full compliance with Quality, Food Safety, and Regulatory requirements. ________________________________________

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the quality aspects of high complexity Innovation and Renovation projects across all applicable Idea to Launch stages, ensuring adherence to Nestlé policies, standards, and procedures.
• Ensure project specific food safety and quality impacts are identified, risk assessed, and managed through established systems, procedures, and protocols to deliver consumer and customer satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and food safety.
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Raw Material Product and Process requirements, including HACCP, Risk Assessment, Microbiological Specifications, and Thermal Processing, in alignment with Nestlé policy.
• Support and assist with the resolution of Quality Management issues that arise during Innovation and Renovation activities.
• Develop and maintain deep technical expertise by leveraging a strong network of internal and external suppliers, manufacturing partners, and food safety experts; apply this expertise when working with unfamiliar or emerging food processing technologies.
• Proactively engage TAG Managers, key stakeholders, and business partners to review business strategy, identify emerging food safety trends, and evaluate evolving risks.
• Actively build and leverage cross functional networks (internal teams, suppliers, and external partners) to drive speed, efficiency, and knowledge sharing.
• Embrace and leverage digital tools, platforms, and data driven solutions to improve accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness; identify or help develop new digital solutions that enhance role outputs and sustain competitive advantage.
• Champion and promote Food Safety Culture and awareness across Nestlé USA.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

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TRAVEL

• Approximately 30% travel required. ________________________________________

QUALIFICATIONS

Education • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering/Technology, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, or another relevant technical discipline. ________________________________________

EXPERIENCE

• Preferred minimum of 10 years combined experience in CPG, food industry, or quality / food safety roles, including at least 5 years in Quality Management, preferably within a food manufacturing environment.
• Preference for candidates with specific category expertise, including:

Beverage (Aseptic) Meals (Perishable Frozen or Chilled Prepared Foods) ________________________________________

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and influence others with integrity, courage, and strong personal leadership. • Strong working knowledge of: Food Safety and HACCP GMPs Allergen Controls Food regulations Product and raw material specifications Basic food technology principles

• Ability to operate effectively in a fast paced environment with minimal direct supervision, demonstrating strong initiative, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven capability to learn new food processing technologies quickly and independently identify critical food safety risks, including effective use of internal and external experts as needed.
• Strong written and verbal communication, analytical thinking, and problem solving capabilities; highly detail oriented and results focused.
• Statistical analysis experience preferred.
• Experience or working knowledge of hygienic design, thermal processing, and auditing practices.

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PREFERRED SKILLS

• Experience with SAP and Trace software.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 and FSSC 22000 standards.
• GFSI training or comparable food safety and quality systems training.
• Proficiency in Windows based applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.

#LI-EW1

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace. To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home. The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: View phone number on click.appcast.io. This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. Review our applicant privacy notice before applying at Job Requisition:398354 #J-18808-Ljbffr PowerToFly