External Manufacturing Sr Technologist

Job description

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.

Mars is Currently Seeking an External Manufacturing Sr. Technologist
Chicago, IL Location Preferred, but Will Consider Remote Applicants with Proximity to a
Major Mars Hub

This position will be the R&D lead for implementing new products, packaging, processes and raw materials on site. To accomplish this, this role will collaborate with the Centre of Excellence teams to ensure successful transfer of specifications. This position will also support external manufacturing quality initiatives in the region to ensure the ongoing production of high quality and safe food products within the external manufacturing network. This position will also work closely with the site operations and quality teams to implement process improvement initiatives and with engineering resources for all capital projects to ensure that standards are met.

What are we looking for?
Minimum Qualifications:
• BS Degree in Food Science, Engineering or related field
• 3 years of experience in Food or Beverage Manufacturing or CPG environment, working in Quality, Food Safety, Engineering or Product/Process Development

Preferred Qualifications:
• Knowledge of GFSI Quality systems such as SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000, ISO 9000
• Working knowledge of food processing and packaging technology is highly preferred
• Green Belt Certification preferred, but not required

What would be your key responsibilities?
• Supports the deployment and compliance of the Mars Global EMQM standard and other applicable standards within the External Manufacturing network
• Supports manufacturing site selection by assessing quality capability and food safety systems performance. Coordinates with the Commercial Team to resolve site selection and audit concerns.
• Implementation & validation of Ingredients, Products, Processes, Packaging through HO1 and HO2 at External Manufacturers
• Maintain current and accurate data specifications in FileMaker for EM products
• R&D Level 2 Troubleshooting to resolve quality issues (e.g., supply level 1)
• Continuous Product and Process Improvement in collaboration with EM’s
• Validates new lines and/or capabilities at assigned sites. Initiates, develops, and implements the External Manufacturing Product Risk Assessments (EMPRA) and Technical Specifications (TS 1, 2, 3) for assigned external manufacturers. Ensures robust change management procedure is in place and verified.
• Provides technical support in statistical analysis, problem solving, product disposition, and risk assessment related to externally manufactured products.
• Provide EM Q&FS representation in ATG Project Meetings – provide information and timelines in tasks to Project Manager and team (i.e. EM audit status, Organic certification, line trial results, etc.); ensure QuEST stage gate deliverables are met.
• Provide technical guidance and support to EM site on QA Holds, Mars Global Standards and Specifications (i.e. EMQM Standard, Allergen Management Standard, Metal Detection Standard, etc.).
• Provide technical support and attendance on EM Line Trials – issue line trial request form and results, liaison with Mars suppliers, EM Supply Chain Transparency
• Ensure FG Sampling KQA Assessment and Checks are achieved.
• Provide assistance on follow-up in EM CAPA process – root cause, short term/long term actions, effectiveness check, and verification.
• Provide assistance to EM CPM reduction goals – attend Quality Meetings with EM/EMQA/Commercial/Consumer Care & Audit follow-ups
• Provide support to Internal Audit program for Business Unit
• Coordinates and leads incident management and investigation for assigned external manufacturers. This responsibility includes initiation of PRIMPs, on-going interpretation and reporting of information from our consumers and customers, executes the business decision regarding product disposition on non-confirming product and incidents which impact food safety.
• Communicate disposition on product to relevant parties, support queries related to packaging, donor product, and finished product
• Provide back up to External Manufacturing Expert role

What can you expect from Mars?
• The opportunity to learn, develop and take charge of your own career.
• An industry competitive compensation package including generous benefits (i.e. 401k, pension, health, etc.)
• Commitment to our consumers and focus on positively impacting the planet and the population.
• Dedication to providing better food today and a better world tomorrow. We seek to make everyday meals healthier, easier, more affordable and tastier, and to serve more communities responsibly.

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.

Nearest Major Market: Chicago
Job Segment: Engineer, CAPA, Statistics, Quality Assurance, Safety Engineer, Engineering, Management, Data, Technology