Category Technical and Quality Manager

Job Description:

Hybrid working – Slough (2 days a week)

Salary from £45,000 with annual bonus + benefits

Mars Chocolate Drinks and Treats is an entrepreneurial arms-length business focused on extending the Mars brands into new categories beyond confectionery through external partners (suppliers and distributors). The business currently operates in a number of categories: Milk Drinks, Hot Chocolate, Cakes & Bakes, Desserts, Chocolate Spreads, Cake Mixes, Free From and Quick Serve Restaurants across the UK and Europe.

We have a unique and exciting opportunity to lead the technical delivery of our Powders category, covering all aspects of supplier/customer relationship management across Q&FS, technical, legal compliance and NPD.

What are we looking for?

• Someone with expertise and experience to oversee a wide portfolio of projects.

• You will also have a broad experience within food manufacturing from product innovation through to Quality and Food Safety management.

• Thrive in working in a dynamic, fast-paced and complex environment in a cross functional team. You will be connected to the delivery of the business results gaining business acumen, external perspective and experiencing an agile environment.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• All Technical and Quality aspects of this category.

• Lead the category to create & deliver creative solutions for new products & packs, working with our co-manufacturing partners.

• Lead technical factory audits take place for our contract manufacturers, ensuring the expertise & capability exists to manage & produce Mars products.

• Own all technical documentation for existing products and ensure these are agreed, updated as necessary and communicated to suppliers, using negotiation skills if necessary.

• Keep up to date with industry, consumer and technology trends as well as the activity of competitors.

• Promptly deal with the factories to solve any technical issues which impact on quality, cost or our ability to supply.

• Collaborating with external manufacturing partners and internal teams to execute the new product development agenda, leading all aspects of new product development including sample review, trial coordination and artwork.

Key Functional Competencies & Technical Skills:

• You will have experience in food manufacturing or something similar and a Science Degree or equivalent qualifications/experience.

• Experience in allergen management knowledge and risk assessment.

• Great project management skills.

• Food Safety Management Programme and Standards (including GMP, GHP, HACCP, allergens).

• You will be a lead auditor/Auditor experience (ideally with qualification).

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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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.