This is an exciting opportunity to join the site R&D team in Fremont, Nebraska at Royal Canin within the Quality & Food Safety Function as the Lab Management Lead. Will manage the Raw Material Receiving laboratory in line with global standards and monitoring regimes, while respecting the laboratory budget, in line with Mars P&O policies and procedures.

The Purpose of the role is to lead team of 10 lab technicians and implement effective laboratory management process ensuring efficient delivery of services comply with quality control and compliance.

What are we looking for?

• Food science, Engineering, Chemistry or equivalent BSc/ MSc degree is required.

• Former experience of quality assurance or lab management from Food/ Nutritional/ Pharmaceutical or related manufacturing/ testing sites is required.

• Previous experience as a laboratory team leader, laboratory manager, or leader of others in a lab setting, preferably in a food/feed plant laboratory.

• Good communication skills to liaise internally and externally, as well as to assist in motivating, training, and improving the Raw Material Receiving team.

• Technically inclined with computer and reporting skills.

• Self-motivated, someone who takes initiative and is a team player.

• Some who is safety, hygiene, & quality conscious.

What will your key responsibilities be?

RAPID TESTING LAB:

• Management of the Raw Material Receiving laboratory in line with Mars global standards and monitoring regimes, while respecting the laboratory budget (KPI – Laboratory Audit Score >98%)

• Line manager to the Raw Material Receivers; manage time-card approvals, vacation approvals, LOAs, STDs/LTDs, staffing, PDPs and objectives, mid-year and year end reviews

• Ensure conformance to all legal and legislative requirements

• Manage the metrology of equipment in the Raw Material Receiving laboratory and Extrusion room

• Conduct inventory and order supplies for the Raw Material Receiving laboratory & Extrusion room

• Coordinate Ring Test participation and performance (KPI – Ring Test Score >95%)

• Escalate out of spec raw materials to the site QFS manager, regional QFS manager and formulator; communicate derogations/rejections to receiving team, flow team and commercial team

• Participate in the raw material cycle count inventory as required

• Manage the raw material and finished product retained sample room

• Collection, preparation, coordination, and dispatching of samples to required RC laboratories and external laboratories for relevant analysis

• Monitor and provide COAs from Mars and external laboratories to QFS manager and all relevant stakeholders

• Review and verify all HRCI COAs and weigh reports at reception

• Utilize laboratory computer software to provide data on historical raw material receptions to various departments

• Liaise with Regional Commercial team (SQAs and buyers) to ensure good communication and relationships with raw material suppliers

• Collect and send qualification samples for Industrialization/formulation

• Support continuous improvement of the Raw Material Receiving laboratory and RM Reception

• Enable raw material specifications/focus plans/monitoring plans/control plans in RCLMS

• Develop and improve all internal interdepartmental relations and external stakeholders

• Updating management on Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)

• Perform area-related equipment first level maintenance

• Put product on hold as needed, and disposition with QFS manager approval

• Perform & participate in internal audits

• Manage plant Environment, health and safety within RM receiving & Laboratory Department

• As required, perform quality tests incoming raw materials as specified in reception procedure

• Quality control procedures (perform and record)

• Perform documentary procedures (delivery documentations) and sign delivery documents including, if necessary, quality / quantity objections

• Sampling of products to ensure quality control

• Any task as delegated by Manager

QUALITY & FOOD SAFETY:

• Follow and apply FSS/ISO22000, Mars Standards, and all related working procedures

• Abide to all plant food safety rules

• Ensure GMP-GHP in the area

• Support plant quality and food safety investigations and root cause analysis

• Ensure compliance to CCPs and oPRPs in the department

• Complete all quality and food safety related trainings required for the role

• Ensure the accuracy of all records and be prepared for internal and external audits

• When necessary, manage non-conformities (decide, put on hold, isolate, destruct, derogate), analyze for root causes and undertake correctives actions

• Guaranty the conformity to specifications and norms

• Support the HACCP program in the department

• Inform Shift Supervisor of quality deviations according to product standards and production procedures

• Maintain CCPs and oPrP’s in the department

• Perform the CCP and oPrP’s procedure according to SOPs

• Sampling of products to ensure quality control (micro sampling)

• Report any pest activity to related Manager

• Perform and record quality control tests

• Detect and report raw material quality issues

• Verify performance of quality checks at receiving of Raw Materials

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.

• A strong focus on 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

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