Food Safety Specialist

Aurora, Nebraska

Microbiological hazards are a major threat for our consumers, their owners, our reputation, and our brand. Early identification of microbiological risks in all steps of our production process, from field to bowl and implementation of the adapted mitigating tools are instrumental to our Quality and Food Safety strategy.

There is an exciting opportunity to join the site R&D team in Aurora, Nebraska within the Quality & Food Safety function as the Q&FS Specialist. The purpose of this role is to maintain, design and improve the site Quality Management System to comply with the Mars Global Quality Standards.

What are we looking for?

Minimum

• Forward thinking, self-directed, capable of making independent actions, and ability to make complex decisions that drive business performance.
• Knowledge of GMP, GLP, food allergens, pest control, sanitation, and food safety regulations
• Knowledge of food safety risk, identification and management, HACCP and prerequisite controls
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• 1 year of experience in a manufacturing site managing quality and food safety management systems
• BS degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Food Safety, Engineering, Chemistry or related technical field
• Negotiation and problem-solving skills with all levels of staff including senior management
• Ability to travel 10% of the time

Preferred

• Knowledge of and experience with ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
• Knowledge of food safety risk, identification and management, HACCP and prerequisite controls
• 3 years of experience in a manufacturing site managing quality and food safety management systems
• Internship in quality and food safety in a manufacturing environment

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Active member of Food Safety Team, providing governance to HACCP Food Safety plans and managing validations of CCP and OPRP preventive controls. Provides technical guidance and consultancy to the Food Safety Team to assure that manufacturing processes and environments are microbiologically safe for producing both new and existing products.
• Leads the Root Cause Analysis investigation of food safety incidents and drives effective implementation of corrective and preventative actions.
  • Tracking, communication of KPIs related to Food Safety and escalation of trends or issues.
• Tracking, communication of KPIs related to Food Safety and escalation of trends or issues.
• Management of site micro risk mitigation dashboard KPI, partnering with BU Micro Manager.
• Leads the effective development and implementation of standards, processes, new technology/methods and drives continuous improvement of food safety management at the manufacturing site
• Active role in environmental monitoring program, helping to drive continuous improvement and root cause.
• Interprets sensitive and technical data for potential impact on product safety and provides timely recommendations for the effective resolution of food safety issues.
• Acts as a technical resource for interpretation and ongoing application of food safety standards and regulations, as they relate to manufacturing site operations, including but not limited to Foreign Material Management, Mold and Mycotoxin, HACCP and Food Fraud Standards

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What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

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.