Supplier Quality Assurance - Development Specialist

Job Description:

Job Description

The Value Creation Team accelerates activities that support our Business Continuity Workstream. The Supplier Quality Assurance -  Development Specialist is responsible for the development and optimization of raw material quality and guarantee the quality of the raw materials delivered to our factories in collaboration with the sourcing, Q&FS, formulation & regulatory teams.

The role operates in a pet friendly, open office environment supporting natural pet nutrition and making the world a better place for pets.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science, Engineering, or similar technical field
• Need to satisfactorily completed during the first year an accredited Lead Auditor training course (or actively progressing towards this certification if a SQA auditor) to enable IRCA/RABQSA/or equivalent certification
• Knowledge of food safety and raw materials requirements
• Knowledge of methods of analysis for raw materials, familiarity with respective laboratory equipment.
• Experience of monitoring projects at supplier sites
• Well-organized, disciplined, attentive to detail
• Persistent to achieve development goals, problem solving
• Good common sense, decision quality
• Influencing, communication and negotiation skills.
• Free to travel in and outside of North America up to 50% of their time.
• English: read, written, spoken. French is an advantage.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Managing complex or business critical supplier qualifications
• Discovering opportunities to simplify formulas through ingredient elimination
• Reviewing and optimizing specification parameters where available
• Ensure FSMA Compliance of new sources of supply
• Supports Sourcing in Activity Management with key Supplier Developments
• Supports SQA with dedicated resources to rapidly advance key Supplier Developments
• Evaluate the supplier raw material policy, tool capability and management ability to deliver a consistent materials 
• Manage sample analysis testing
• Manage the audits (plant, organization, tools, traceability…) of new suppliers following the Mars standards
• Write audit reports,  corrective action plan and follow-up accordingly
• Communication of our Quality and Food Safety, and Sustainability policies to suppliers
• Survey and evaluate sanitary conditions and take preventive & corrective action accordingly
• Implement relevant quality focus at reception and follow up
• Propose and agree with supplier relevant continuous improvement plan and follow the effectiveness of the corrective and preventive actions.
• Guarantee the compliance with RC purchasing roles :
• Material Risk Assessment of raw material with collaboration among the MRA Team
• Manage the creation and update of raw material specifications as required
• Evaluate regulatory climate by monitoring and analyzing regulations (FDA,CFIA,…), guidelines and standards, assistance if required in FDA/USDA inspections
• Assist in all LRQA and internal audits, respecting the MQM and RC Commercial 10 roles
• Guarantee the knowledge management of the raw material quality and share this knowledge with the team

Education & Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Quality Management, or a related field. Master’s degree is preferred.
• FSSC Lead Auditor Certified (required)

Knowledge / Experience

• 2+ years of experience in a quality assurance or food safety role, preferably within the agricultural or grain industry.
• Experience working with suppliers and managing quality documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong organizational and data management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Basic understanding of quality management systems, such as FSSC 22000 and HACCP, is preferred.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 140,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.

• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

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