Quality Assurance Technologist (Germantown, MD)

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.

Mars has net sales of more than $33 billion, operates six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience, and more than 75,000 Associates worldwide that are putting its Principles into action to make a difference for people and the planet through its performance.

Mars brands include: Petcare – PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital, CESAR®, SHEBA®, DREAMIES® and NUTRO®; Chocolate – M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Wrigley – DOUBLEMINT®, EXTRA®, ORBIT® and 5™ chewing gums, SKITTLES® and STARBURST® candies, and ALTOIDS® AND LIFESAVERS® mints. Food – UNCLE BEN’S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS®, SEEDS OF CHANGE® and ROYCO®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA COMPANY™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – COCOAVIA® and WISDOM PANEL®.

Mars Symbioscience is a technology-based health and life sciences business focused on evidence-based product development. First established in 2005, Mars Symbioscience acts as an incubator for business ideas generated throughout Mars business segments. Pioneering some of the most innovative and breakthrough fundamental scientific research, Symbioscience is developing solutions that translate science into products which have a positive impact on people, pets and the planet.

Overview
The Site Quality Assurance Technologist provides leadership to develop, implement, maintain, and proactively improve quality management programs, methods, and systems to assure product, processes, and environments conform to the established Mars and regulatory quality standards. The position proactively identifies changes to quality systems to minimize quality and / or food safety risks to the business, and maintains strong preventative programs. The position acts as a technical resource for interpretation and ongoing application of quality standards, along with requirements of the FDA Dietary Supplements 21 CFR 11 & 111. The position provides an ongoing organizational resource to audit and report all quality information and measurement data, especially input from customers and consumers. The role involves training, auditing, problem-solving, and assuring corrective actions are properly implemented. The position promotes product safety and general product quality awareness.

Key Responsibilities

·  Conduct capability analysis for site systems / lines.
·  Define package target weights.
·  Define and implement procedures to reduce product giveaway.
·  Define Associate training needs.
·  Be an active member of community of practice.
·  Drive improvements to processes or systems across all sites.
·  Lead quality or process improvement projects with impact for the site using Lean Six Sigma methods.
·  Lead Product-Related Incident Management Process (PRIMP) documentation and support resolution.
·  Provide leadership in coordinating problem solving activities as needed to resolve issues.
·  In conjunction with the Food Safety and Quality Manager, manage regulatory and Kosher inspections and resulting corrective actions.
·  Develop and deliver Statistical Process Control training.
·  Design and execute statistically valid sampling plan to evaluate finished goods for quality disposition.
·  Develop and implement site environmental monitoring program.
·  Implement and maintain programs to trend, report, and address consumer and customer feedback information.
·  Set up, conduct, and report on product quality in field; compare with other brands.
·  Manage metal detector standards.
·  Witness food safety related destructions.
·  Support Food Safety and Quality Manager with Management review activities.
·  Act as back-up for Quality Assurance release of raw materials and finished product.
·  Manage the internal audit program.
·  Be the Symbioscience functional expert for Mars Quality and Food Safety systems (e.g., Nexus).

Key Supporting Competencies

·  Conflict Management
·  Customer Focus
·  Decision Quality
·  Directing Others
·  Integrity and Trust
·  Standing Alone

Key Functional Competencies and Skills

·  Excellent statistical, analytical and troubleshooting skills.
·  Strong questioning and probing skills to discover issues and to verify the accuracy of information, results, and data.
·  Strong knowledge of ISO, Quality Management Systems, Good Manufacturing Practices and Food Safety, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Systems (HACCP), Regulatory Guidelines, Sensory, and/or Microbiology.
·  Proven application of quality tools.
·  Excellent knowledge of computer software including: word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, macros, etc.
·  Ability to work with others in R&D, Manufacturing, and/or Distribution to improve product, processes, and systems.
·  Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate, influence, negotiate, motivate, and lead a team.
·  Ability to work independently as well as within a team.
·  Strong project management skills and ability to prioritize own workload.
·  Ability to effectively negotiate and persuade with all levels of the organization.
·  Ability to make timely, consistent, and well balanced decisions.
·  Effective written and oral communication skills.
·  Presentation skills for delivering training programs to a wide variety of audiences.
·  Self-discipline with initiative to carry-out improvements of job related responsibilities.
·  Flexibility to adapt to regularly changing priorities and quality issues.
·  Ability to handle sensitive information.

Educational and Professional Qualifications

·  Degree in Engineering, Statistics, Food Science discipline, or related field (Biology, Food Technology, Biotechnology, Mathematics)
·  Two years of relevant experience in food and / or related industries
·  3-5 years of experience in a food manufacturing environment; experience in a technical support area such as Engineering, Quality Control, R&D, or Laboratory Services is acceptable
·  Six sigma green belt or black belt
·  Proven application of laboratory methodologies, food science, statistics, and / or quality tools

Decision Making Authority and Impact / Recommendations

·  Corrective actions for quality failures / opportunities
·  System enhancements for continuous improvement at site
·  Quality check process
·  Trends
·  Support hold product disposition
·  Associate training requirements
·  Recommendations on system enhancements for continuous improvement across all sites

Travel

·  Less than 10%

People Management Responsibilities

·  6 – 11 Indirect Reports (non-management Associates)

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, 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.