Quality & Food Safety Manager External Manufacturing

Mars Incorporated is a globally recognized leader in the food industry, renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. As one of the world's largest and most respected food manufacturers, Mars prides itself on delivering high-quality products that consumers trust and enjoy worldwide. The company operates across various sectors, including pet care, confectionery, food, and beverages, with a strong emphasis on quality assurance and food safety at every stage of the production process. Mars is driven by its Five Principles: Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom, which guide its business practices, corporate culture, and dedication to creating a better future.

The Quality Food Safety (QFS) Manager External Manufacturing position at Mars plays a pivotal role in upholding these principles by leading external manufacturing quality initiatives. This role is responsible for ensuring the ongoing production of safe and high-quality food products within Mars’ external manufacturing network. The QFS Manager ensures that all relevant Mars Quality and Food Safety standards are rigorously implemented and maintained, supporting the company’s reputation for excellence. Employing a comprehensive approach that combines food science, engineering, quality management, and project management, this position identifies process improvements, optimizes manufacturing operations, and measures quality conformance to enhance consumer satisfaction continuously.

The incumbent supports the qualification of new manufacturing locations and product startups, manages performance of existing facilities, and drives continuous improvement initiatives across external manufacturing sites. A critical aspect of the role is the deployment and compliance management of the Mars Global External Manufacturing Quality Management (EMQM) standard, as well as other industry-recognized quality systems such as SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000, and ISO 9000. This position requires frequent collaboration with cross-functional teams including supply chain, procurement, technical experts, and external partners to ensure quality standards are not only met but exceeded.

The QFS Manager also leads external manufacturing audits and Quality Food Safety training programs, managing corrective actions and continuous improvement plans to address non-compliances effectively. Incident management, including investigations and product disposition decisions, forms a significant part of the responsibilities, ensuring any issues impacting food safety are handled swiftly and transparently. This role demands a seasoned professional capable of applying technical expertise in food safety, statistical analysis, problem solving, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance to safeguard product integrity and brand trust.

This position is classified as a hybrid role with an expectation of 40% travel to various Mars external manufacturing sites. Mars offers a competitive salary range between USD 101,120 and USD 139,040, complemented by a comprehensive total compensation package that includes variable pay, medical and dental insurance, participation in a 401k plan, and paid time off. Mars invests heavily in associate development through its in-house learning platform, Mars University, to empower employees with continuous growth opportunities. Aspiring candidates should be prepared to contribute to a purpose-driven company dedicated to building a better tomorrow today. It is important to note that Mars does not sponsor visas or offer relocation benefits for this role.