Mars
Quality Assurance Specialist
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Job Description: Quality Assurance Specialist
There is an exciting opportunity to join the R&D team as our next Quality Assurance Specialist. This role is based at our Plymouth site within Mars Wrigley Confectionery. As a critical member of our team, you will be responsible for effectively implementing the Quality Management System standards and enabling the consistent delivery of our high-quality products. You will act as a key driver of continuous improvement, the CAPA process, and our internal and external audit programs. By acting as a role model for quality leadership, you will engage, coach, and inspire associates across both supply and technical teams to maintain excellent Quality and Food Safety (Q&FS) standards on-site.
What are we looking for?
Education & Professional Qualification:
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in food technology, quality management, microbiology or another relevant quality discipline.
- Excellent verbal and written English communication skills are essential.
Experience:
- At least 2 years of experience in the food industry or a dedicated quality assurance role.
Technical Knowledge:
- Strong working knowledge of HACCP, FSSC 22000 quality & food safety management systems.
Core Skills:
- Sound risk management, audit management, and strong organizational skills.
Collaborative Leadership:
- A true passion for quality principles and a natural affinity for educating others, driving a strong quality culture, and coaching associates.
Key Competencies:
- High proficiency in quality decisions, planning, priority setting, accountability, driving for results, and building strong cross functional peer relationships (including managing internal/external networks and influencing others).
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What will be your key responsibilities?
Site Quality Management System Maintenance & Audits:
- Deploy global standards into the factory, ensure effective implementation through regular process confirmation, and train internal auditors.
- Organize and manage internal and external audits (including LRQA, Halal & Kosher) and represent the site in regional quality management system communities of practice.
CAPA Process Ownership:
- Own the local and regional Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) management processes.
- Guide teams through root cause analysis for non-conformities, ensure findings are resolved in compliance with quality management system requirements, and report CAPA metrics locally and regionally.
Complaint Investigation & Target Monitoring:
- Serve as the single point of contact for consumer and customer complaints.
- Lead investigations and trend analysis and execute targeted projects to ensure the site meets regional complaint-reduction targets.
Standards Ownership & Reviews:
- Coordinate preparations and keep records for quality management system reviews.
- Take accountability for the timely preparation, implementation, and reporting of Q&FS standards.
Cross Functional Quality Support:
- Provide expert Q&FS inputs and risk assessments with site experts to manage risks, support factory quality associates with troubleshooting, and maintain product safety & quality.
Promoting Quality Culture:
- Organize interactive on-site events (such as Quality Day and Quality Conversations) to continuously engage associates and keep food safety at the forefront of daily operations.
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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 a 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.
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Mars is a family-owned business with more than $35 billion in global sales. We produce some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, BEN’S ORIGINAL®, and COCOAVIA®. Alongside our consumer brands, we proudly take care of half of the world’s pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses such as Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, AniCura, VCA™ and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our 140,000 Associates into taking action every day towards creating the world we want tomorrow.
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