Senior Manager, Food Safety & Quality

This position has direct reports and is responsible for the execution of the company’s Product Excellence Program in all parts of the business across Europe, MEA and WTR. This position is responsible for food safety, food quality and regulatory aspects within this scope. The position leads a team that supports capital projects, innovation projects, capacity projects, continuous improvement projects, and all business initiatives. This includes auditing, approving, and onboarding new partners in the areas of manufacturing, copacking, food service, licensing, and distribution. Responsible to support Global Food Safety Standards and country regulations. This position works with many functions across the company and has a very strong linkage to the leadership teams of these regions.

Responsibilities

• Leadership: Leads the activities of the team in the effective and efficient execution of their functional responsibilities in support of the business objectives. Ensures development of direct team members. Leads preventative programs, process optimization efforts, problem solving and troubleshooting efforts for resolution of opportunities. Leads and coordinates activities associated with new and changing regulations, policies and processes. Leads and coordinates assessments of new and existing contract partner facilities. Leads ongoing relationships with these partners to achieve desired results. Lead efforts to meet consumer expectations. Lead cross functional teams as required for business needs. Manages all aspects of team administrative needs. Assures that systems are properly maintained to support business objectives. Develops and maintains a high performing team. Utilizes resources to continue personal growth and development. Expected to provide leadership for specific programs, project management, training, and coaching of other functions across the business in the specified areas of expertise.
• Business Support: Ensures compliance with federal, state and local regulations and conformance to the policies and procedures of The Hershey Company and to Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)/Safe Quality Food (SQF) standards. Acts as a liaison between site and other corporate personnel regarding Food Safety, Food Quality and Regulatory areas. Leads team to support all innovation projects at sites. Leads team to support all capacity projects at sites. Leads team to support all capital projects at sites. Ensures the design review process is occurring for all projects. Ensure implementation of actions required to efficiently and effectively resolve opportunities. Ensures compliance with all regulatory and certification assessments. Ensures compliance with internal Product Excellence Program across scope of role. Performs on site assessments, trials, start ups and all parts of project deliverables. Subject matter expert with broad based knowledge in multiple areas including regulations, industry practices, cleaning and sanitation, corporate wide quality systems, development of policies and procedures, and ability to implement as required.
• Continuous Improvement: Ensure proper investigations occur for food safety, food quality and regulatory opportunities. Ensures proper corrective and preventive actions are executed. Ensure changes are implemented to improve reliability. Supports continuous improvement projects across the business and regions. Partners with corporate quality team on program enhancements.

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities

• Strong leadership skills
• Superior verbal and written communications skills (External partners to VP level)
• Fluency in English required, strong cultural business acumen essential. Bilingual skills in Spanish preferred; additional language proficiency is a plus
• Skilled in representing Hershey and building relationships with external agencies (regulatory bodies, external manufacturing partners, suppliers, trade groups).
• Ability to explain complex concepts to non-technical audiences
• Advanced presentation skills and experience engaging with all levels of the organization, from production teams to executive leadership
• Ability to develop self and others
• Superior time management and prioritization skills
• Commitment to Hershey Leadership Behaviors
• Strong business acumen
• Advanced problem solving/decision making abilities.
• Ability to make business decisions based on strategic company objectives
• Strong auditing and assessment skills
• Advanced project leadership skills
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to lead multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Knowledge of and commitment to assuring regulatory compliance
• Knowledge of manufacturing practices and processes
• Knowledge of food safety and food quality principles and processes
• Knowledge of food plant sanitation and laboratory techniques (physical, microbiological and chemical testing)
• Knowledge of GFSI standards and certification processes
• Advanced proficiency in computer applications
• Ability to work flexible hours as required
• Ability to travel up to 50%

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; Food Science, Food Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, or related field. MS or MBA preferred. Preferred certifications include Safe Quality Food (SQF) Practitioner, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual certification, HACCP certification. Six Sigma certification preferred.

Experience

• Must have applicable work experience in the food industry implementing quality and food safety programs.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in the food industry.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership/management experience with direct reports required.
• Experience in Hygienic And Sanitary Design Is Preferred.
• Experience in chocolate, or sugar confectionery manufacturing preferred.
• Experience in any of the following manufacturing processes and environments: enrobing, moulding, panning, slab and slit, baking, roasting, milk processing, beverage, aseptic, retort, low water activity, intermediate water activity, extruding, coating, cooling, starch moulding, curing, pressing, tempering, liquid extraction, mixing, seasoning, packaging is preferred.
• Experience in cleaning and sanitation processes, CIP, COP, dry cleaning, wet cleaning is preferred.