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 Associate Scientist External Manufacturing to work in the food service category, focussing on quality and food safety. 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 food industry or related industries Strong relationship builder with good commercial awareness and supplier management skills Proven and effective project management & 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 Maitenance Maintain Q&FS compliance to Mars standards for our network of EU and UK suppliers. Must be willing to audit on their own (post lead auditor training) Non-conformance management including customer complaints and initiate investigation with suppliers. Must have a Q&FS lens to identify potential food safety issues which require escalation Play a key part in the management of product quality and performance, maintaining accurate supplier information, ensuring up to date specifications and quality requirements are adhered to Implementation Build a good network and be comfortable interacting with technical contacts at suppliers and with customers to review and input into customer specification systems Keep abreast of legal landscape in relation to labels and specifications, with active contribution into implementation meetings Managing translation requests with external translation company Sample Management Preparation and management of samples being sent for micro, filing CoA’s and stock management Knowledgeable on the importance of allergen control in a lab environment Responsible for sample preparation. Mixing of semi-finished goods, packing and labelling to be sent for customer evaluation The Person Must have a natural attention to detail and be comfortable with owning the compliance of labels and specifications in partnership with the Food Service Q&FS lead FIC trained or willingness to be trained The individual should have a proven background in quality and food safety covering fundamentals such as GMP and HACCP. Also be familiar with the NPD concept to launch process Must be comfortable in a lab environment where GMP and HACCP rules need to be followed What can you expect from Mars? Work with 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. LI-AB2 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