The Food Safety Specialist provides deep technical leadership to develop, maintain and proactively improve Mars Petcare Quality and Food Safety programs. Under the supervision of the Site Q&FS Manager, this role provides technical expertise and a practical food safety approach to the site manufacturing operations.

This role makes complex risk-based food safety decisions that enable the reliable delivery of products that meet all external legislative requirements and all internal Q&FS standards.

What are we looking for?

• BS degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Food Safety, Engineering, Chemistry or related technical field and internship in quality and food safety in a manufacturing environment.
• 2-3 years of experience in a manufacturing site managing quality and food safety management systems, responsible position related to food safety or Quality and food safety management system.
• Lead Auditor and HACCP training is required.
• Food Defense training is an asset.
• Experience with Quality Systems is required.
• Food or Pet Food Manufacturing Experience is required.
• Food safety risk, identification and management, HACCP and prerequisite controls.
• Knowledge of and experience with ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• Knowledge of GMP, GLP, food allergens, pest control, sanitation, and food safety regulations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Forward thinking, self-directed, capable of making independent actions, and ability to make complex decisions that drive business performance.
• Negotiation and problem-solving skills with all levels of staff including senior management.
• Ability to travel 10% of the time.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Leads the effective development, training and implementation of standards, processes, new technology/methods and drives continuous improvement of food safety management at the manufacturing site.
• 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, Pathogen Monitoring, Mold and Mycotoxin, HACCP and Food Fraud Standards.
• 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.
• 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.
• Management of site micro risk mitigation dashboard KPI, partnering with BU Micro Manager.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with 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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