Associate Specialist, Distribution Quality - MEA

About the role

Mars is looking for an Associate Specialist, Distribution Quality for its Middle East and Africa (MEA) cluster. Because product ownership lies partly with distributors and 3PLs, Mars works with them to keep products in the same condition as they leave the factory and to trace, hold and release stock. The role maintains distribution quality across MEA, including setting standards, auditing, driving continuous improvement, handling complaints and implementing the Mars Quality Management System.

Key responsibilities

• Develop, interpret and apply quality standards for quality and freshness in the supply chain, from factory gate to retail outlet
• Audit market warehouses and distributors, drive continuous improvement and verify corrective and preventative actions
• Provide expertise, tools and systems for managing product quality and freshness in the outbound supply chain
• Solve problems in the market and act as the first escalation point for incidents
• Implement traceability and recall requirements and test their effectiveness
• Work with manufacturing sites on risk assessments and incident management
• Manage trade, customer and consumer complaints for MEA markets
• Implement the Mars Quality Management System at market level, build relationships with supply, market units and distributors, provide training and consultancy, and run management reviews
• Set up forums or project teams for continuous improvement (PDCA)
• Define measurement and reporting of quality and freshness data, use it to review performance and escalate issues, and work with the third-party auditor

Required profile

• Degree in food science, food technology, process engineering, chemistry or physics
• At least 3-5 years' experience in a quality management environment

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of quality management systems
• Technical knowledge of transportation and warehousing standards and food processing requirements under GMP/GHP
• Knowledge of quality assurance techniques