Senior Supplier Quality Assurance Specialist

Job Description

Job Description:

• Partner closely with Sourcing and R&D to develop raw materials aligned with our regional and global business strategies
• Mars Pet Nutrition Australia, home to loved brands such as Pedigree, Whiskas, Advance
• Permanent full-time based onsite – Wodonga (Vic), Bathurst (NSW) or from our Melbourne office.

As part of Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA), the technical arm of Commercial, you’ll partner closely with suppliers, R&D, Sourcing, Q&FS, and Supply to ensure raw materials meet our quality and food safety standards and specifications.

As our Senior Supplier Quality Assurance Specialist you’ll work closely with Sourcing and R&D to validate, verify and manage the supply of raw materials across all Mars Pet Nutrition facilities.

This is a highly collaborative, hands-on role involving supplier audits and site visits across Australia and New Zealand.

What You’ll Be Doing

In this role, you’ll:

• Assess supplier capability to meet Mars Quality Standards. Validate and verify new and existing suppliers through the Material Quality Management (MQM) process
• Audit upstream manufacturers in line with the Mars Audit Standard and confirm supplier mitigation data into material risk assessments
• Own quality compliance and food safety management for a portfolio of raw materials - use data analysis to drive ambitious quality targets and continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers
• Resolve raw material technical/quality non-conformances through thorough root cause analysis and defining corrective and preventive actions with suppliers

• Partner with global and local sourcing teams on cost saving initiatives and sourcing strategies
• Leverage digital tools and data to provide insights into how to continuously improve raw material quality and optimise SQA related processes
• Be an active contributor and mentor to the SQA team, sharing best practice and supporting team growth

What You Bring

You’ll thrive in this role if you bring:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• 5+ years experience in Quality & Food Safety or related Technical function, ideally within the petfood or food industry
• Strong understanding of HACCP / Quality Management Systems and preferable certified Lead auditor FSC 22000
• Well developed knowledge of quality systems, risk management tools, and auditing principles
• A strong problem-solving mindset and collaborative working style
• Lead Auditor certification (or willingness to obtain)
• Willingness to travel as required to support suppliers and sites

Why Join Us

• A role with real technical influence and commercial impact
• Exposure to local and global suppliers and cross-functional teams
• Opportunities to grow your expertise in quality, sourcing, and supplier development
• A supportive, values-led environment where continuous improvement is encouraged

Ready to work at the intersection of quality, suppliers, and innovation?

If you’re passionate about quality, enjoy working with suppliers, and want to help raise standards across the supply chain, we’d love to hear from you.

Internal applicants: This role has been graded as a T2 opportunity, please discuss your interest with your line manager prior to applying including obtaining their endorsement.

Applications close: Thursday 30/4/26

Please note: That there is a possibility for this role to be based from either Melbourne or Bathurst – further discussion required.