Food Safety & Quality Director

We have a current opening for a Food Safety & Quality Director and are actively reviewing applications.

This position is in Franklin Park, IL with 500+ employees creating iconic products: Butterfinger, BabyRuth, and Nutella Peanut.

The Food Safety & Quality Director is a key functional and management role within the Ferrero Quality Organization and oversees quality and food safety for the plant.  As the leader of the Quality Team, this position reports directly to the VP of Industrial Quality NAM and will manage a team of 6 while being actively involved in cross-functional work with Production, R&D/Technology, Engineering and Maintenance.

The Food Safety & Quality Director supports the implementation of the Ferrero Food Safety and Quality Standards. This person will activate and ensure all necessary levers to guarantee and monitor Food Safety & Quality for products and production processes, according to the standard defined by the Ferrero Food Safety and Quality Department ensuring compliance with all the standards of Food Safety and hygiene in food industry.  You will also be leading root cause analysis related to non-conformances and will be actively involved in the continuous improvement process and implement related actions. You will also be responsible for quality training and development, in order to ensure the achievement of food safety and quality objectives.

•    Ensure an efficient and effective management of Food Safety and Quality (FSQ) in manufacturing
•    Implement FSQ plans, improvement initiatives and projects at a plant level, ensuring central guidelines and legal and scientific standards are correctly applied
•    Implement within the plant all Food Safety improvement initiatives and risk preventing actions.
•    Ensure efficient and effective implementation, maintenance and application of Plant Food Safety & Quality guidelines
•    Guarantee certifications requirements are respected ensuring product compliance for all the receiving markets and coherence with products' claims
•    Point of reference for local application of recipe / material compliance with local and international legislation.
•    Management and decision making within the Plant on FSQ non-conformities and consumer complaints
•    Carry out root-cause analysis on occurred critical and major non-conformities and support the SME
•    Measure compliance with FSQ through all transformation processes 
•    Implement within the plant all food safety improvement initiatives
•    Run allergen cross contamination risk assessment in the plant.
•    Facilitates the application, applies and maintains updated all the internal regulations and external related to product, processes and linked structures.
•    Ensures the correct application of Ferrero Quality System, quality certifications and legal standards, in the overall productive process.
•    Ensures execution of the analytical sampling plan
•    Team management
•    Management of her/his team to ensure that all activities are performed on time.
•    Ensures that all team members are trained on related procedures and operate in compliance with the work instructions and procedures.
•    Organize work schedule and priorities of her/his team.
•    Yearly performance evaluation of direct reports.

•    Bachelor’s degree in food science, or related field (Master’s Degree preferred)
•    Minimum of 8 years’ experience in quality assurance with experience in a food related industry
•    Ability to read and interpret quality and regulatory documents
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills
•    Auditing and Assessment skills

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
As part of our recruitment process, Ferrero may use artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tools to assist with reviewing candidate applications. These tools are used solely to support recruiters by summarizing application information and identifying potential alignment with job requirements. AI does not independently screen out or select candidates, and it does not replace human judgment. Final decisions regarding candidate progression are always made by Ferrero recruiters and hiring managers.

Careers with caring built in - discover our benefits here .

The base compensation range for this position is $124,974.00 - $166,632.00. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This range represents the anticipated salary for this position at this time.

In addition to base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other benefits.

Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero at ferrero.com .

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding.
Find out more here .

Ferrero is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable human rights laws. Ferrero will recruit, hire, train, and promote all persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, or history of disability (except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement and the individual is not able to perform the essential functions of the position even with reasonable accommodations), citizenship, or any other protected characteristic. 

Ferrero will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise the People & Organization (HR) Representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.