Associate Scientist External Manufacturing
Job Description: 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 Food Service across the UK and Europe.
We are looking for an Associate Scientist External Manufacturing to work in the food service category, focusing on quality and food safety.
Contract: Fixed-term contract 12 months. Location: Slough, UK with 2 days per week in the office minimum.
What are we looking for?
* Academic education in food science/technology or related subject.
* Proven experience in a Quality or Food Safety role in the food industry or related industries.
* Strong relationship builder with good commercial awareness and supplier management skills.
* Proven and effective project management and organizing experience.
* Visible passion, behaviour and leadership around Mars first principle – Quality.
* HACCP, ISO, and quality & food safety management systems.
* Incident management experience.
* Risk assessment & management experience.
* Auditing (preferably Lead auditor qualified).
* Basic food microbiology, analytical chemistry and sensory methods.
* Basic technological knowledge around food processing equipment.
* Mars Leadership Capabilities: Functional/Technical, Drive for results, Action orientation, Dealing with ambiguity, Command Skills, Standing Alone, Decision quality, Problem solving.
What will be your key responsibilities?
* Q&FS maintenance: Maintain Q&FS compliance to Mars standards for our network of EU and UK suppliers. Willing to audit post lead auditor training.
* Non-conformance management including customer complaints and initiating investigations with suppliers. Apply a Q&FS lens to identify potential food safety issues requiring escalation.
* Support product quality and performance, maintaining accurate supplier information and ensuring up-to-date specifications and quality requirements are adhered to.
* Implementation: Build a good network and interact with technical contacts at suppliers and customers to review and input into customer specification systems.
* Keep abreast of the legal landscape related to labels and specifications, contributing to implementation meetings.
* Managing translation requests with external translation company.
* Sample Management: Preparation and management of samples for micro, filing CoA’s and stock management; allergen control in a lab environment; sample preparation including mixing of semi-finished goods, packing and labelling for customer evaluation.
The Person
* Attention to detail and ownership of label and specification compliance in partnership with the Food Service Q&FS lead.
* FIC trained or willingness to be trained.
* Background in quality and food safety covering fundamentals such as GMP and HACCP; familiar with NPD concept to launch process.
* Comfortable in a lab environment where GMP and HACCP rules are followed.
What can you expect from Mars?
* Work with diverse and talented Associates, guided by the Five Principles.
* Join a purpose-driven company aiming to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
* Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to Mars University.
* Industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
Mars is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities, long term health conditions or are neurodiverse during the application and recruitment process. To request reasonable adjustments, complete our Reasonable Adjustment Request Form here.
Mars is an equal opportunity employer. Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Mars.
Note: This listing reflects the Associate Scientist External Manufacturing role in Maidenhead/Slough area and is intended for applicants applying to that position. Other postings shown here are for context only.
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