Quality, Food Safety & R&D Technical Lead

Job Description

Job Description:

Mars Chocolate Drinks and Treats is an entrepreneurial arms-length business focused on extending the Mars brands into new categories beyond confectionery though 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, and Quick Serve Restaurants across the UK and Europe.

We have a unique and exciting opportunity to lead the technical delivery of one of the product sections covering all aspects of Supplier Quality & Food Safety Management. We are looking for our next Technical Lead to join our dynamic business in Maidenhead. The expectation of this individual will be 2 days per week in the office (as a minimum) with the potential opportunity to work from home 3 days per week.

With the technical know-how and experience to oversee a portfolio of projects, our ideal candidate will also have a broad experience within food manufacturing from product innovation through to Quality and Food Safety management.

What are we looking for?

• A science degree with Food manufacturing/Quality experience

• Proven Project Management skills

• Good knowledge of Food Safety Management Programmes and Standards (including GMP, GHP, HACCP, allergens)

• Experience in Proactive and Reactive risk management

• Lead Auditor experience and/or qualification is desirable

• Proven ability to lead and engage stakeholders at all levels

• Ability to work from the office min 2 days per week

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Responsible for all Technical and Quality aspects of a category in the Mars Chocolate, Drink and Treats business.

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

• Deliver and maintain External Manufacturing Quality Management and other Mars Quality initiatives into the category.

• Lead Technical Factory audits for our external manufacturers, ensuring the expertise and quality & food safety capability exist to manage and produce Mars products.

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

• Act as the technical point of contact between Mars Chocolate Drinks and Treats and our external manufacturers to deal with any non-conformance or technical issues which impact quality, cost, or our ability to supply.

• Keep abreast of industry, consumer, and technology trends as well as the activity of competitors, while ensuring that these insights are incorporated into the development of a superior product offering.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 like-minded 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 a company bonus.

• Chance to work on world-renowned brands like MARS, SNICKERS, GALAXY, and M&Ms.

• Mars has been voted in the Top 10 of UK ‘Great Places to Work’ since 2016.

• A company that understands the importance of a work-life balance

• The chance to take hold of your own career, and develop personally and professionally.

• A competitive salary, yearly bonus, and benefits package that rewards you for your work.

• More than just a career; work for Mars and you join a purpose-driven organization trying to build a better world tomorrow.

• Salary range: £45 000 - £56 200 (depends on the level of experience)

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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.